The Atlanta constitution., 1900-10-29

I, In the other? Aye, more. are they to be
left to pick up as best they may a knowi-
edge OF the discoveries that are constant
iy being made In every department of
agriculture? what is needed. gentlemen
| OF the Association. is education for the
youths OF the land and Information for
the masses.
To effect this desirable end we should
avail ourselves of the agencies and ap-
pliances that have been found most ef-
fective in other states and countries.
What are they? ! answer: l. Schools and
colleges OF agriculture. Our agricultural
college should be sustained and develop
ed and popularized. As an agency for
good in the education OF the agricultural
masses, its usefulness and effectiveness
should be conspicuous. IL should receive
the patronage. confidence and moral sup
port of our people. In my own opinion It
should furnish the teachers for not less
than 1877 high grade academies in the
state. as well as for the still greater num-
ber of schools of lower grade. II should
also sprinkle our state literally with edu-
Gated young men. who will adopt the vo-
cation of their farmer fathers; and may
be. occasionally. the sons of lawyers, doc
tors merchants and other so-calied busi-
ness and professional men, may be con-
strained to take n sort OF vicarioUs atone
ment for the sins of their fathers, by
earning the wealth that comes Of honest,
intelligent, skillful management Of the
farm.
q have long believed that the clements
OF the natural sciences should be taught
in the public schools Of the state. 1t viii
not be necessary that the teacher OF
public school shau ipe so thoroughly rear
ed I'm these sciences as would be necessary
hot sNf+ : ba ffl q
lar college where the course Is expected
20 lead 20 n degree. Although desirable
II IS by no means necessary; and this has
been proven in New York and other
states.
II tho three R's"-Readng, writing
and arithmetic, with grammar. history,
geography and physiology-can he taught
in our public school why not also teach
botany. plant physiology. animal nutrl-
tion chemistry and geology. in their ele-
ments at least? The only plausible answer
is-that not all the teachers arc quail
fed. | say let them qualify themselves
or give place to those who can do the
work Let there he n demand. backed by
the reouirements OF the school law, and
tho demand viii soon he supplied.
2 The farmers institute is the next
means of disseminating useful agrlcultu-
raj information This is an orsaniza-
ton of farmers and others Of Nolun-
tary character, who VIII meet at some
stated place at convenient times. inc
farmers institute IS the adult farmers
school where he may learn from scient-
lists and Investigators the principles which
underlie the art of agriculture. and from
successful farmers the best methods OF
applying these principles. At the same
time the scientist learns tho needs of the
Farmer. and also the results of actual
practice. the truth or falsty OF theories
and deductions based on experiments
made on n limited scale. These iusti-
tutes in many. II not all. Of tho states
where they have been organized. are
supported by appropriations from the
state treasures to pay expenses OF lee
turers and instructors who come from
distance We have IN our state code a
law authorizing farmers Institutes. II
was passed IN 1889 in anticipation Of
general appropriation of FUNDS FOR sus-
tanning such Institutes by the United
States congress. But the appropriation
did not appropriate and the law is on the
book without any motive power 20 give
II life and action Notwithstanding this
want of state financial support. the trus-
tees of the university made. and con
tinued for several years. an annual appro-
priation of $1.eO to enable the president,
DR. H. g. White of the state college,
to organize "A number of farmers insti-
tutes. on the invitation of Or. White,
J. on several occasions. took active part
In organizing and operating these pioneer
Institutes. l am glad To learn from the
papers that others have become active
ana aggressive IN the same work and
that farmers I'm places visited by them
have manifested a good deal OF enthu-
siasm. Let the good work 90 on ana
let us make a Tong pull "A strong pull,
and pull together" that will secure
from the next session OF the legislature
small appropriation that VIII make the
present law effective