Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-22

true that we often follow certain prac-
tees from generation TO generation until
We come 10 regard them as axioms, and
conclude that. in spite Of our better judg-
ment. there is no better way Of accom-
pIishfng a given end But we are rest
less and aggressive people, and there are
some who are constantly seeking newer
and better ways OF doing things. and the
saddest commentary on the present status
OF our educational AFFAIRS is that we nave
allowed so much that is useful and up
lifting to the great mass OF our people
10 accumulate without devising ways ana
means OF putting IL within the reach OF
the thousands who live In the country ana
TN the soil. Had we realized how much
the welfare OF all Is dependent upon the
man who works with nature, we would
have been more active in our Efforts 10
disseminate those truths OF science which
we now know are Of such fundamental
importance to him. and IL we have been
neziectfuI and short-sighted In the past. II
is no reason why we should continue the
policy I'm the future
The question under discussion. there
fore resolves itself into one OF how 70 re-
organize and redirect the forces which
are TO make for the permanent uplift and
betterment Of rural work and workers.
For years IL was considered proper for
late themselves. as II were. from the body
Of the people, and 70 care for the COM
parative few students who came 20 theAn
for instruction. AS long as they pursued
this policy they could not in any sense
Of the word be regarded as state institu-
lions and belonging TO the people Hap
ply, this point OF view has been changed,
and now the desire and the aim OF all our
public institutions Is to broaden their
mmHE - M ha~nr1e in dead and
in truth. institutions Of the people and for
the people.
How shall the State College Of Agricul-
ture, constituting as IL does an integral
part OF the university system, reach out
and serve the people IN all parts Of the
state, Is q question of paramount i'm
portance az this time This result can be
brought about only through organizing an
extension department. and taking Up,
what Is denomInated for lack Of a better
name. extension teaching Extension
teaching simply means to carry the in
formation which the university may pos
sess TO the people OF the state, no matter
where they are located. The reader viii
naturally inquire what can be done by
an extension service for the rural uplift
about which all are concerned at this
time7 First OF all, there must be de-
veloped an eficient corps Of workers, inn
bued with the missionary spirit. who are
not engaged IN the work for the dollars
and cents they may get out OF IT, These
instructors should be capable Of meeting
with the farmer and indicating to him
that they not only have practical knowl-
edge OF agricultural affairs, but that
they have a special knowledge and can
consult and advise with him to his adj
vantage. They should be capable OF as
sistfng the teachers OF the rural districts
in organizing school gardens; in develop
ing courses OF nature study and element
AIRY agriculture. They should be well
enough trained to assist. for instance. in
conducting the work OF an itinerant
school AS the word itinerant would indi-
cate. these would be travelling schools.
For instance. a community may be par
ticulariy anxious TO learn all that II can
about fertilizers. soil cultivation, farm
sanitation. horticultural and live stock
problems. cotton seed and its hy-products,
whether the farmer should retain his cot
ton seed or sell II, and whether II IS
suitable fertilizer or not Suppose nifty or
one hundred farmers are interested I'm
any one OF these subjects. II would be
compa ratively simple matter TO send an
instructor out TO that locality TO organize
a weeks work with the people along the
lines suggested. There would be regular
talks each day and discussions following
the same, and Il II needless to point out
that Information Of the greatet economC
value 20 that community would be assim-
Hated by all who attended the school.
Moreover. the other real needs OF the
community would become apparent, and
the farmers could be invited to CORES
pond with the College OF Agriculture
which already maintains a correspondence
bureau for farmers. and thus have
pleaced at their hands for the cost of a
two-cent stamp the latest and best in
formation pertaining TO every phase Of
agricultural practice.
That ftinerant schools would be a boor
20 rural communities and that they would
eve a new direction TO our agricultural
practice and stimulate and inspire the
farmer. because OF the reliability Of the
information furnished any one who has
reflected on the situation a minute will
readily admit. How helpful II would be
20 the teacher Of a small rural schoo;
20 feel that she might have the services
OF an adviser for several days in organic
ing her work. and 70 find out just what
material she had at hand 20 use in nature
Istudy work or In developing a course IN
elementary agriculture. IL is needless to
boys and girls and bring them more
closely IN touch with the possibilities OF
their environment than they ever had
been brought before. The teachers are
not TO blame for the failure TO give in
struction In agriculture al the present
time. They do not know how TO proceed.
and viii they ever be in better position
unless some strong hand is reached out
70 them TO give direction and inspiration
to their efforts?
Do the people OF Georgia want extern
sion work? I think the fact that over
two hundred addresses have been deliver
ed to gatherings OF farmers in this state
within the past two years shows the
thirst for knowledge The fact that sixty
OF the county school commissioners OF
Georgia have accepted the offer Of the col
lege to send our professors TO discuss
ways and means for developing instruc-
ton In agriculture in the rural schools
shows their sentiment towards this sub
iect. and how thoroughly they realize the
necessity OF doing something and doing
Il right away The fact that fifteen thou
sand letters have been answered by the
different departments Of the college shows
that the farmers are looking to the inst.-
tuition for advice and direction in mat