The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-09-21

THE FARMERS
THE GOVERNMENT AGRIcUL-
TURAL EXPERT BEGINS HIS
WORK WITH ADDRESS BEFORE
THE TALLAHASSEE CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE.
soecIsI 20 The Journal.


Tallahassee, Sept. 2O,-At their
regular biennial meeting last night
the members of the Tallahassee Cham
Der of Commerce were addressed by
A. B. Meharg, the government agri-
cultural expert who is beginning with
Leon county in his work Of teaching
the farmers OF Florida how to make
their farms profitable.
The most Important feature of the
routine business of the meeting was
the placing upon the roll of members
the rame Of Albert w. Gilchirst, gov
ernoT of Florida, and Edward Con-
radi. LID, Ph.D., president Of the
State College for Women.
Mr.. Meharg, in his opening remarks,
said that he was glad to talk to the
business men. Though 1t may seem
a strange thing TO say, 1t is neTerthe-
less a fact" he said, that the bust
ness man even more than the farm
eT is interested in good and 2bun-
dant crop. For instance, suppose
there should be total failure in the
years crop2 This would mean to
you a total failure in your business.
You are dependent upon the farmer 3
success for your very livelihood, and
1t behooVes you to put your shoulder
to the wheel and place this improved
farming movement upon a permanent
and solid foundation"
In speaking of the mineral wealth
of the state and its vast and diver
sifed capabilities Of soil and climate,
Mr.. MehaTg said that very erroneous
ideas about Florida prevailed in 9TH
er PARTS of the country, the general
impression being that 1t is simply a
place Tor orange and citrus growing,
and a pleasant winter resort for inVa-
lids
Can Grow Everything.
You know better than this" he
continued, and it is for you to con-
vince others that Florida is a section
can be grown, and profita'bIy, too.
You have some Of the best stock rails
ing lands in the whole country, and
your corn and cotton crops can be
made to place you upon a sure f1nan-
cial basis. Instead of sending your
as the thrifty noTthwesterners do to
as the thirty northWesterners do to
whom you Sell-1eed 1t to your own
stock. Make a clear profit on your
own butter and cheese, instead of buy
ing these products elsewhere. Learn
to husband your resources and to turn
everything to account, and you will
soon find that the poverty stricken
farmer and the financially embarrass-
ed business man will become a thing
of the past. You can change the
present condition of affairs In Flor
ida as similar conditions have been
changed Iowa-Once q section OF
poverty and bankruptcy. Now the
wealth Of the state is in the farm
ers' hands. The average farm la
hn
they own the majority OF the bank
stock. And they became what they
are by following the instructions
given them by farming experts. This
prosperity is in store for you also, IL
your farmers will follow these in
stTuctiOns and raise their farming
methods to a more scientific ana
common sense basis
AEr. MehaTg further urged the bust
ness men Of Tallahassee to cooper
ate with the farmers in every posi-
bic way, by talking up the movement
and by helping them to procure Sc
lccUed seeds for planting.
Al the conclusion of Mr.. Meharg's
address the governor was called up IN
to speak, but he declined, saying that,
when he knew he knew nothing about
a subject, he knew enough not to try
" HANS q SpSSCu dDOuI II. Wn6l
don't know thing, l don't mind say
ing So" a remark that prompted Mr.
MehaTg to declare that the governor
could be made into a first-class
farmer, as it is the man who knows
nothing about real farming, and yet
thinks he knows it all, that gives the
trouble"
Several excellent names have been
suggested for appointment to the post
Oe local supervisor Of this improved
farming method, but as yet no selec-
ton has been made.