The Atlanta constitution., 1898-08-15
"FARMERS' INSTITUTES"

Editor nstitutlon-Whi1e our state ts
rapidly forging to the front along other
lines her agricultural interests are sadly
In the rear. Our legislators seem to have
lost sight Of the fact that Georgia is essen
tally an agricultural state and that her
wealth and prosperity depend almost en-
tirely upon the successful growth Of this
industry
This Is a matter which is loudly calling
for attention from hundreds of farmers all
over the state who are destrOus OF improV-
ing their methods but cannot for lack of
the proper information.
What we need are farmers Institutes"
to he held. one in every county in the
state at least once a year.
7 am anxious to what our nominee
for commissioner of agriculture will have
to say alone this line.
Battle Hin, Ga. r.. J. MERRIAM.
We heartily agree with Mr.. Merriam in
the conviction that farmers, Institutes
would he OF very great benefit TO the farm
ers Of Georgia. In cooperation with Pres-
dent H c. White, of the state college we
have assisted In conducting several farm
ers' Institutes during each OF the last six
or seven years. But these we're held In
desultory way and have been held more
than once in only very few counties. The
most progressive thinkers and most ardent
friends of agriculture IN Georgia have long
been OF the opinion that the legislature
should appropriate at least $4,000 or $4,000
a system Of Institutes such as IN operation
In many Of the northern and western
states and In a few of the southern states,
notably IN North and South Carolina Mis-
sissippl Louisiana and Texas. and we De-
ueve in Kentucky and Tennessee.
In these states, especially north and west,
these institutes are accomplishing a vast
deal Of good. which is manifest IN the rapid
progress that IS being made by the farmers.
But the legislature OF Georgia has not en-
tfrely ignored the demand for this means
of educating the adult farmers of this
state. At the session Of 1859 an act was
passed requiring the board or directors Of
the Georgia experiment station to have
conducted throughout the state each year
during the season most convenien. to the
agrculturist8 a series of farmers institutes
for the instruction of the citizens Of this
state in the better methods Of agriculture
in it's various branches the act goes on
TO provide that the board Of directors,
aforesaid shall make rules and regulations
as they may deem necessary, etc RecoE-
nizing the necessity for money to pay eN-
penscs the legislature, instead of making
an appropriation for that purpose, was
content to provide thar the board shall
apply exclusively any moneys when may
come into its possession under any act
which the federal congress may hereafter
pass in favor OF farmers Institutes ana
any moneys which may be derived from
any other source as d gift or donation IN
aid OF farmers institutes" ana shall make
reports to the governor etc. And there
the matter rests for the federal congress
has made no approprla ton ana nobody has
given any money for such purpose.
Wnl not some ambitious and patriotic
legislator seize the opportunity, so long un-
improved and distinguish himself by i'll
troducing and advocating a bill to appro-
pirate 5000 Of the fertilizer fees-whch
are paid IN by the farmer-for the main
FpF LfsA1i I { : ttll
Don't all speak at once.
r. J. REDDING,