The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23


 home industries in the various sections of the country is one of great interest, as well as one of importance, for it Is a matter that interests all classes of peo- pie. No one class in any community can afford to manifest any indifference to- ward any legitimate proposition that has for it's true object the upbuilding and de- velopment of the various opportunities which the country affords.
 As stated, this is a matter in which we are fully interested, either directly or indirectly. A great many means have been set forth from time to time, and much has been written and said in order 10 get the people to see the possibilities 1 or their country. The press, all over the country. has and is yet a great power in this work If all others were only doing as much 10 build up the country as the local newspapers are doing, why we would soon see wonderful changes all along the line.
 The railroads, too, have come to see the great importance of developing the country more fully along their lines; and. to this end, are employing industrial agents whose duty 1t is to go over the road and look after this work and to help the people in making their business more profitable.
 Good Men Needed. The railroads are endeavoring to get the very best men for this work, es- pecially for the development of the agri- cultural and horticultural interests of the country. The work however, has been slow from the fact that the right sort Of men, who competent, are en- gagged in some branch of agriculture for themselves. But, the railroads are mak- ing progress in this matter, and are se- lecting competent men-men of experi- ence and judgment.
 In this line of agricultural and horticul- tural work it is necessary that the in- dustrial agent be a man of thought and observation, and that he have a memory. It might be well enough for me to state here a few of the many qualifications that such industrial agents should pos sess in order to succeed in this work. do this because of my experience and ob- servation in this line of work
 Honesty.
 The first qualification is, over and above all other qualifications, that of dealing honestly with the people; be- cause the work of the agent is largely educational, and If he should wilfully misrepresent facts it would not only re- act on himself, but would react on the railroad company who sent him out. Where the agent is faithful, he will al- ways be on the lookout for the best methods whereby he may best serve the interests of his employer. This, he can not do unless he is strictly honest in all his teachings
 Temperate Habits.
 Then, again, he should be a man of strictly temperate habits No industrial agent should ever go out in this mission ary work and get up to lecture an audi ence with his breath all stinking of strong drink. nor Is it necessary In order for him to secure the attention of the people to carry around bottle of whisky to treat, or to take men to the saloon and treat them in order to get their re- spect and confidence; for the respect and confidence of the best people of the com. munity and it Is this class of influential people with their influence. that he needs to gain first of all and if he should de- stroy their respect right at the start, his chances for accomplishing anything good in that neighborhood is lost.
 Then he should be
 Faithful and Prompt.
 And faithfulness goes hand in hand with honesty; for, If man tries to be ioHehl, ne VIII dlSO pc Ialtnful Tn the discharge of his duties. And if he is faithful, he will also be prompt and al- ways on hand to meet every engagement. He should fill every appointment, be at all meetings strictly on time, and if de- layed by late trains or unavoidable de- lays he should wire regrets at once. In all the work tn, Is nothing of greater importance than that of being on time. Another stronger reason, still why an agent should he honest and faithful is the fact that his employer can not be with him to see and know what he is doing. They have placed confidence in his honor, and it Is the worst kind of thieving for him to squander away the time that belongs to the company who has him employed. There is no place where an industrial agent of railroad can go but what he will find an oppor- tunity to say some thing good for his line. The great lines of railroad traverse such a large scope of country and there are industries and lines of crops pe- cuiar to all sections, and the agent should be fully posted in these matters and ready to talk to the best advantage at all times and places.
 Then, again. he should be a careful and close observer. He should always be on the lookout the lookout for the new plans, and should watch close the growth of vegetation as well as to study the soil. so that from the growth of the various plants, wild growth he may be able to tell what is best to plant in such soils or in the various soils in his territory All these, and very many more. things he should always be on the lookout for.
 Education.
 This Is another very important mat ter, for it Is sure that if man does not know his calling, he can not teach others. So he should be able to tell when how to plant crops, how to cultivate. and when to harvest. and when and where to market. He should fully un- derstand the details of tree planting and the care of fruit trees.
 Now, have only outlined a few of the many things with which the missionary industrial agent should stock himself with in order not only to command re- spect but to make his work a success The writer has been laborng to stock himself up in these qualifications, and as to how well I have succeeded I leave it for others to say. But, with the stock l have in store, l expect to continue in this missionary work, and the more I do the more I find to do and the greater the demands upon my time.
 This Is all preliminary to what I want to say about the work in Alabama. for am arranging to conduct some Agricultural Meetings | along the line between Birmingham and Memphis, and deliver a series of lec- lures along the lines as indicated. | I expect to have with me several men | of experience, and, together, we want | 4.llx ~I.