The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-14
FARMERS STUDYING
IMPROVED METHODS
Agricultural Trainers Have
Given Much Instruction
MANY MEETINGS HELD
Farmers and Their Wives and Children
Turn Out to Hear she Speakers,
Who Are Experts ON All
Farming Subjects

Atlanta July 12.-(Special THAT the
farmers of the southeastern states are
anxious to take advantage of every OPP
portunity offering them information tend
ing to bring about better methods of
farming has become the policy of the
Southern Railway company to run over
its lines in the various states which 1t
penetrates through its land and indus
trial department connection with state
departments of agriculture or agricultural
colleges, is shown by the interest dis
played by farmers in Piedmont. Va, over
1000 of whom attended the meetings along
the route of the train which recently
spent a week in that section. The train
was IN charge of Hon. G. w. Koiner, COM
missioner of agriculture for Virginia, and
bore a corps of experts who gave In
structive lectures on subjects of partic-
ular interest to farmers of the various
communities visited The train was out
six days and 16 meetings were held be-
tween Alexandria and Danville.
At nearly every stop the two passenger
coaches which were used as lecture rooms
were filed and at some places 1t was
necessary to hold outside meetings to
accommodate the crowds. Farmers wives
turned out in large numbers and showed
much interest as the men, At the close
of the meetings at almost every stop
farmers remained to ask questions about
topics which interested them-especially.
At every stop appreciation OF the work
done by the Virginia department of agri-
culture and the Southern Railway COM
pany was expressed, at number of
points votes of thanks being given.
Immediately after the tour of the train
letters began coming to Commissioners
Koiner and the land and industrial depart
ment of the Southern Railway company
from farmers requesting that information
be sent them At all places where meet
ings were held the names and addresses
of farmers In attendance were taken and
to these the Virginia department of ag-
riculture and the Southern's land and in
dustrial department will in the future send
special Information referring to crop
growing or to other subjects on which
these farmers especially desire instruc-
ton. In this way the influence of the
train will be made permanent.
Twelve months ago similar train was
operated over the lines of the Southern
between Richmond and Danville and Nor
folk and Danville, at which time a large
number of farmers attended the meet
ings held. A large number of names were
taken, and a short time ago M. V. Rich
ards. head of the Southern's land and
industrial department. wrote to each of
these asking them the extent to which
the running of these trains had been OF
practical benefit to them. The very large
number of replies In which it was stated
that great practical good had resulted
show the value of running such trains.
Soil improvement, crop Investigation
more attention to live stock and improved
methods Of culture had all resulted from
attending the meeting and many farm
ers reported greatly increased profits.
A similar train was operated over the
Mobile and Ohio railroad in west Tena
nessee a few weeks ago under the aus
pices of the Southerns land and indus
trial department. Large numbers of
farmers attend the meetings.