The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-20

ACe&uSub Ne ~ AHu(hA IN t1S <htee%A@A1
Polytechnic Institute att Auburn has
ompleted his Introductory report in the
OCULAR annual report made by the Elk
)eriment Station of the college. The
work done by the station Is of interest
the entire farming class of the State.
t lie as follows:
Governor william D. Jelks, Executive
Department. Montgomery, Ala:
Sir-According to the act OF Congress
If 1887 establishing Agricultural Expert
ment Stations, 1t is the duty Of the sta
Ion to submit to you a full and detailed
report of its operations, including state
ment Of receipts and expenditures.
On September 10th DR.. r. III. Nell, the
director of the station, resigned his posi-
ton In this Institution to accept a call to
the Presidency of the Agricultural and
Mechanical College of South Carolina,
and at a subsequent date at meeting
If the Executive Committee of the insti-
itute, l was elected as acting director of
the station, and In this capacity 1t de-
wolves upon me to make brief review
Of the organization and work.
The functions OF the Director Of this
station are briefly set forth in Section 5,
Of the original articles of organization of
the Station adopted by the Board OF
Trustees In 1888:
"A H6InDeT Ol the bOdEu OL 1ucCtUIS
shall be appointed by the trustees officer
in charge; who in addition to the special
duties of the station to which he may
De assigned. shall conduct the general cor
respondence incidental to the work of
the station" The lines of work under
taken by the station are discussed and
agreed upon in full meeting of the Coun-
ell, and their proper execution, and the
publication of their final conclusions are
left largely In the hands of the men who
are experts in their various departments.
| beg to say that have found all men,
oers of the staff energetic and enthusiasts
tic in their Investigations of agricultural
| problems, and the results of their labors
seem in every way commendable.
| Since entering upon the duties OF the
position / take pleasure in stating that
| the work OF correspondence has been dis
charged with ease and promsptness by
| referring all letters of inquiry to the diff
| ferent officers In charge of the several
| departments that are concerned with the
| especial field of work in regard to which
| the inquiries are made The proper as
| signment of these letters has been facili-
| tated by the aid of the Assistant to the
| Director.
1t is encouraging to note the vast mass
Of questions that are directed to this
| station from farmers of all sections of the
State, Indicative of a growing spirit OF
intelligent investigation. The most de-
tailed inquiries are made daily in regard
| to soils. crops, methods of culture,
diseases of plants. insects injurious to
vegetation, dairying and all the manifold
phases Of work connected with making a
| livelihood from the soil. 1t Is also
| agreeable to note the large correspond
ence from the States of the North and
| West in regard to the possibilities and
profits of fruit growing. truck raising.
| cattle raising, etc., in Alabama. Many
| farmers of that section are turning their
| faces In this direction. and many are be-
| coming permanent residents of our State.
| Not a little influence can be, indeed, is
| exerted by this station in turning the
attention of this desirable population to
the great agricultural resources Of Ala
bama-
The station as It is now constituted was
organized under the provisions of the
| Hatch Act" February "a, 1883. The
staff Of the station Is now composed of
the following officers: chemist. veteri-
marian, agricuiturist, biologist and
botanist, horticulturist, associate chemist,
three assistant chemists. farm superin.
tendent and assistant agriculturist.
The farm embraces 500 acres and serves
1 the double purpose OF experimentation
and student instruction. Here are con-
Quoted the investigation of the varied
problems that confront the farmers of
| Alabama, and to the solution of these
| problems are directed the energy and
skill OF men who have been selected for
their proficiency and expert knowledge of
the sciences relating to agriculture.
| The high order of work done by this
valuable and important department has
been of vast service to the farmers in
Alabama and has given the institution q
high rank In scientific circles.
The station bulletins, Issued since the
organization, number 1M and amount to
over 1000 pages Of printed matter. They
are highly esteemed by both the practical
farmer and the scientific expert. The
mailing list to which the bulletins are
distributed embraces over 10000 names.
Four bulletins of 234 pages have been
issued this year. They give the pract-
cal results reached by the station upon
such important questions as The Cowpea
and Velvet Bean as Fertilizers" for worn
out soils; "Cowpea Culture" Dairy
Herd Records and Creamery Notes." etc.
| 1t is difficult for the ordinary reader
to realize the immense amount of
| patience, accurate care, and scientific
knowledge that is employed in conduct
| ing these experiments from day to day
and year to year, in noting and record
ing the facts, and drawing therefrom
broad. trustworthy practical conclusions
for the guidance Of the man on the farm.
Special attention may be directed to the
reports and recommendations contained
in this report from the Agriculturist
Prof. J. F. Duggar. and the Veterinarian
DR.. c. A. Cary.
Agriculture and Cooperative Sol
| Tests.
The lines of investigation conducted by
Prof. Duggar in regard to agriculture are
manifold and of the highest practical i'm
portance. OF especial interest are tn,
following: % Testing the relative valu,
of home raised products. such as cow
peas, corn meal, and OF high priced com
mercial feed stufts for feeding for dair1
and beef raising purpose. ~ the value o
pasturage for cattle at different stages o
development, co the amount and nature o
different food stuffs for the greatest yiel
and the least cost Of milk, "a the renova
ton OF worn out soils, % the cost of bee
production and the adoption Of differen
breeds of cattle, 90 the cost Of pork pro
duction "a bulletin on the subject is nov
ready, CO the best forage for Alabama
farmers. 90 testing the fertilizers for cot
ton and corn culture. These are all ques
lions of vital concern to the farmer, AM