The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-01
AGRICULTURE TO
 BE DISCUSSED Conference for Education Will Meet at Little Rock NEW SPIRIT IS AWAKE Department of Agriculture Will send Many Able Men to Give Benent of Expert Knowledge of
 Training
NEW SPIRIT IS AWAKE

RAVh64t to h3ut ct tHC cCAiANA NAi~o Education in the South at Little Rock, Ark, April s. ! and next.
 With the cooperation of experts from the United States agricultural depart ment, professors for many prominent agricultural schools and colleges, and rep resentatives of farmers unions of the south, this years conference for educa- ton, which is the thirteenth of It's kind, promises to awaken 0 new spirit through out the southern states for better agri- cultural education in the schools. The fact that the land in the southern |stntes will produce anything that can be produced from the soil with the possible exception of quinine. which requires tropl- cal climate, is a sufficient reason why the people of these states should be af- fcrded every opportunity to develop their lands. The conference which has been urging progress along these lines for the past 12 years is now prepared to see that some of its efforts are carried into effect. Government Interested in Conference
 While it is a conference for edueation, that does not mean it cannot deal with the agricultural work Of the south. The programme that will be carried out at Little Rock will embrace the discussion of many problems relating to the teach ing of farming in the public schools, botn In the large cities of the south and in the rural districts.
 TO show how important the United States government considered the coming conference, 1t will simply be necessary to point out that the department of agri- culture has delegated the following rep resentatlves. 2s in number, to attend:
 pr. s. A. Knapp, special agent farmers demonstration work; Mir O. B. Martin assistant in boys demonstration work and college extension work: MT. H. F. saveiy, general field agent, west of Geor- g;a, and the following state and local agents:
 Texas! G. w. orms, Timpson; W. r. Procter, Tyler; J. L. Quicksail, Waco.
 Oklahoma: w. D. Bentley, Yukon; w. L. English. Oklahoma City.
 Louisiana: James A. Evans, Shreye- port; Victor L. Roy. Baton Rouge; Macon snowden. Shreveport.
 Arkansas: William ]. Apple, Little Rock; R. O. Davidson, Jonesboro; H. s. Mobley, Fayettcvil.1i j. J, Moore. Hope.
 Mississippi: Peter P. Garner, Agricui- tural ooregey D L. Ross, West Jackson; bus.
 Alabama l.. H. Duncan, Auburn.
 Georgia: Thomas A. Early Athens.
 North Carolina: l. C. Schaub, West Raleigh.
 The wide interest in the question IS shown by the large number of others who have already written that they will be present and take part In the discus sicns Up to this moment those from Alabama are:
 President c. w. Daugette, State Normal school, Jacksonville; President E. M Shackeford, State Normal college, Troy; l.. N. Duncan, Auburn; President C. J. Owens, Southeastern Alabama Agricul- tural school, Abpeville; Vice President Frank H. Crockard, Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railway company. Birmingham; Su- perintendent of Public Instruction H. C. Gunnels, Montgomery; Professor of Sec ondary Education J. J. Doster, Uniyer- sity,
 In addition to the practical knowledge that these men have about education
 
 oughly familiar with conditions and know what points in the south are most in need of help from an educational standpoint Their contribution to the conference, by debating and discussing the matters of most vital importance, will be one Of the important feature of the conference.
 South Worlds Competitor
 Just to point out what the chances are for the south to become competitor witn any nation on earth, in raising products from the soil, 1t will only have to be men, toned that some foreign countries have representatives living in the United States who watch the progress in agriculture of the southern states closely. There Is hardly a week passes that some represen- tativc of one of these governments does not visit the department of agriculture to learn something about growing of certain products in our southern states. In par ticulAr the Japanese have their eyes upon Florida because it has been learned that oamplor can be raised with pronounced success In that state. If the raising of cainphor should become one of the princi- pal products of Florida 1t may easily be seen why Japan should be concerned, be- cause that product is one of the most remunerative to the Japanese people.
 May Products Raised
 Japan is not, however. the only nation that Is concerned in the agricultural pro- gress of the south. Other states are equally as progressive as Florida. The Carolnas are rapidly taking up tea cul- tlyation. Since it has been learned that tea can be raised to advantage in the Carolnas the indication is that that prod uct will hereafter be a leading one from these states Then the fertile fields of Texas have gained reputation all over the world and specially has 1t been learned that rice raising Is destined to become an important product from the Lone Star state.
 AxrIeulfure in Schools
 But while the ground can produce all that is claimed for it. the members of tho conference which meets next month realize that 1t takes human hands and skill to cultivate these varl- ous products. To this end will the devote itself by urging the state authorities to help the movement for better agricultural education in the southern schools.
 Among those who will lead in the discussion of these problems are Dr. s. A. Knapp. United States department of agriculture; c. 5. Barrett president Farmers union; Prof. F. L. Stevens, Agricultural college, West N. G.; Professors Morgan and Keller. University of Tennessee; Pres ident D. B. Johnson, Rock Hill, $. e.. Prof J. J. Doster, University of Ala- bama. The widespread interest taken in this meeting shows that the people of the United States realize more than ever that the source of our wealth is first of all the soil; that the most i'm portant economic problem of the age is how to conserve and how to use both