Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1910-07-14
A Railroads
Good Work

| AlAdhld, I'd, July lG.-\OpCCldIJ
That the farmers of the Southeast
ern states are anxious to take adj
vantage of every opportunity offer
ing them information tending to
bring about better methods of farm
ing 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 it penetrates through its Land
and Industrial Department connec-
ton with state departments Of Agri-
culture or agricultural colleges, is
shown by the interest displayed by
farmers in Piedmont, Virginia, over
1000 of whom attended the meet
in9s along the route of the train
which recently spent week in that
section. The train was in charge Of
Hon. G. w. Koiner, Commissioner CT
Agriculture for Virginia, and bore
a corps Of experts who gave instruc-
tive lectures on subjects of peculiar
interest to farmers Of various com
munities visited. The train was out
six days and sixteen meetings were
held between Alexandria and Dan
vile.
At nearly every stop the two pas
sen8er coaches which were used as
lecture rooms were filled and at
places it was necessary to hold out
side 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 inter-
ested them especially. At every
stop appreciation of the work done
by the Virginia Department of Agri
culture and the Southern Railway
Company was expressed, at a num-
Der of points votes of thanks being
given.
Immediately after the tour of the
train letters began coming to Com
missioner Koiner and the Land and
Industrial Department of the South
ern Railway Company, from farmers
requesting that information be sent
them. At all places where meet
ings we're held the names and adj
dresses of farmers in attendance
were taken and to these the Virgin
la Department of Agriculture and
the Southern's Lend and Industrial
Department will in the future send
special information referring to crop
growing or to other subjects on
which these farmers especially de-
sire instruction. In this way the
influence of the train will be made
permanent
Twelve months ago a similar
train was operated over the lines
of the Southern between Richmond
and Danville and Norfolk and Dan
vile at which time a large number
of farmers attended the meetings
held. A large number of names
were taken, and a short time ago M.
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 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 at
tending the meeting and many
farmers reported greatly increased
profits.
A similar train was operated over
the Mobile and Ohio Railroads, in
West Tennessee a few weeks ago
under the auspices of the Southern's
Land and Industrial Department.
Large numbers of farmers attended
the meetings.
MOrnino subject at the First Ran.