The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-07-20
FARMERS INSTITUTE ON WHEELS.
Southern Railway Interests Farmers
Along its Line.

Atlanta, Ga, July 12,-Ttat the farmers
OF the Southeastern states are anxious to
take advantage Of every opportunity
Offering them information tending to
bring about better methods Of farming
and more profitable agriculture, such as
the agricultural trains which it has become
the policy Of the Southern Railway
Company to. run over its lines in the
various states which 1t penetrates
through it's Land and Industrial Depart
ment connection with state departments
Of agriculture or agricultural colleges, Is
shown by the interest displayed by far
mers in Piedmont, Virginia, over 1000 Of
whom attended the meetings along the
route of the train which recently spent q
week in that section. The train was In
charge of Hon. G. w. Koiner' Com
missioner of Agriculture for Virginia, and
bore corps OF experts who gave instruc-
tive lectures on subjects of particular
interest to farmers OF the various COM
days and sixteen meetings we're held be-
tween Alexandria and Danville.
AT nearly every stop the two passenger
coaches which were used as lecture rooms
were filled and at some places it was
necessary to hold outside meetings to
accommodate the crowds. Farmers
wives turned out In large numbers and
showed as 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
of the work done by the Virginia De-
partlnent Of Agriculture and the Southern
Railway Company was expressed, at q
number OF points votes OF thanks being
given.
Immediately after the tour Of the train
letters began coming to Commissioner
Koiner and the Land and Industrial De-
partment of the Southern Railway Com
pany, from farmers requesting that in
formation be sent them. At all places
where meetings we're held the names and
addresses Of farmers in attendance were
taken and to these the Virginia Depart
Land and Industrial Department will In
the future send special information re-
ferring to crop growing or to other sub
jects on which these farmers especially
desire instruction. In this way the in
tiuence of the train will be made per-
manent.
Twelve months ago similar train was
operated over the lines Of the Southern
between Richmond and Danville and
Norfolk and Danville at which time a
large number OF farmers attended the
lClu. n ldl 30 VI AekLASo
were taken, and short time ago NJ. V.
Richards, 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 him.. The
very large number Of replies in which 1t
was stated that great practical good had
resulted show the value OF running such
trains. Soil Improvement, crop diversi-
~ 70 cfn Il
improved methods of culture had all re-
suited from attending the meeting and
many farmers reported greatly Increased
profits.
A similar train was operated over the
Mobile and Ohio Railroad, in West
Tennessee a few weeks ago under the
auspices Of the Southern's Land and In
dustrial Department. Large numbers of
farmers attended the meetings.