The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-04-30
"BREATHlNG EASIER"

During the past four months the CORE
spondence Of this department has been
heavier than FOR any similar period within
the six years of, or since the present
editor took charge. There are always more
letters received during the winter and
early spring. but never before SO many
as during the period just passed. I take
this as an Indication OF growing inter
est on the part Of farmer readers ami
an Increasing demand for information GA
all subjects connected with agriculture. or
even remotely related 10 IT, II may
not De vanity ON the part of this editor
to assume that this Increased correspon-
dcncc IS also Indicative of the apprecia-
tion and confidence Of the farmers. re
garding the work done 10y the editor. /
wish 10 assure the friends and readers
of Farm and Farmers department that
my work has been largely a labor Of
love" although acknowledging the receipt
Of a reasonable remuneration from the
management of The Constitution. The
three 20 six columns that are usually re-
qulred 10 not sugEcst-to the uninitiated in
newspaper work-a large amount of labor.
In fact. however. an answer 10 an inquiry
only an inch long Will sometimes have
involved an hours work. Many CORE
sp0ndents evidently seem 90 think that
the questions. or a large proportion Of
LutTn. are answered. ~ NAl4t'E AoAIf~Af'silfl-
euts This IS not true 70 the extent of
: per ceutum. I always cndeavOr to
promptly give the Information sought FOR.
To insert a question and rely upon hap
hazard replies would involve an uncer-
tainiy and delay that would very greatly
de;ract from the practical value of an
inquiry department. ! do sometimes per-
haps not often as should give II up
. and say II don't know" and turn the
ton "a ~
caslonaily. and sometimes quite promptly,
such unanswered inquiries are replied 20
by some kind subscriber. for which | am
. always grateful.
The, questions that are asked and the
topics sought 10 be introduced are often
50 remotely related TO farming that they
cannot fairly claim kin. Sometimes the
subject Is total foreign to any branch Of
agriculture. While such are outside of
the printed rules standing at the head Of
this department. ! often take pleasure I'm
giving the desired information If within
my knowledge or easy OF access. But 81
is astonishing. and sometimes amusing.
10 what extent some readers repose conf
dance in an editor. one would think
that the editor Is posted ON every sub
I ject. from theology to humble peg"
Z from astronomy 10 coon hunting: from
rhetoric 10 Goodies" II such one could
/
sanctum during the year. OF course many
7 such letters are laid aside for some future
use: others are replied 10 by private let
/ ter Cxhen a stamped addressed envelope
Is supplied and occasionally one is
I printed.
On the whole. the relations between this
/ editor and the writer's Of letters of inquiry
have been cordial and pleasant The ed
I itor Is obliged 10 study in order to be
prepared for the great VARIETY of ques-
tions. even when they relate strictly 10
| farming. He finds 1t more and more easy
| TO give information. especially after the
| same question has been answered several
times.
want 10 say that I enjoy the work
/ thoroughly. II IS a source of gratifica-
| tion that It's character is essentially up
building and helpful to our agriculture
/ and 10 agricultural humanity.
VIII my readers pardon this little per-
| Sonal ta-k2 II. ]. r.