Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-05

Several experimental teachers insti-
tutes will De held this year, and If they
prove successful, they will solve the
much mooted question of how to put
before the teachers the information
needed to make instruction in the fun
damental principles of agriculture a
success in the common schools or
Georgia.
The college is cooperating with the
county school commissioners in organ
izing corn clubs. Several hundred boys
have been enrolled. and the mere fact
that each one is required to grow a con-
siderable area in corn, keep a record of
his work and report on IL at the school
fair in the fall will stimulate an in
terest in the subject Of corn produc-
ton which has not been evidenced here
before. Liberal premiums are offered
by the State Fair association and the
local committees as well. Pamphlets are
being distributed for the information
and guidance OF those who enter the
contest and thus new life is being in
Jected into the cultivation OF one Of the
great staple crops Of Georgia.
The college through its extension de-
partment is also actively cooperating
with other agencies in disseminating
agricultural knowledge. Among these
may be mentioned the Farmers union,
the United States department OF agri-
culture. local farmers clubs, breeders
associations, the State Horticultural So
ciety. State Agricultural society, vari-
our fair associations. chambers of COM
merce. etc. Thus, every interest in the
state, commercial and Industrial, is
gradually being brought in line to aid
in the great forward movement which
is necessary TO place our agricultural
practice on a basis commensurate with
the needs Of the times.
A special effort is being made to or
ganize what are known as fruit and
truck associations, live stock breeders
associations. farmers clubs, travelling
libraries. reading courses and CORES
pondence cources. Cooperative work is
in progress with the district schools,
ten Of these institutions being actively
engaged this year in testing thirty va
rieties of cotton in order that the best
strain for local use may be ascertained.
large number of tests over the state
are also being carried on with practi-
cal farmers in the production of cotton
by methods devised by the college. This
work will be extended TO include corn
another year. Herds OF cattle are being
tested for tuberculosis, and the depart
ment OF veterinary medicine hopes soon
70 be in position TO manufacture and
distribute hog cholera serum at actual
cost The departments Of agronomy and
agricultural chemistry are preparing 10
take soil samples and analyze them
physically and chemically so that the
people OF the various sections may be
advised specifically as to the defects in
their soils. Active assistance Is being
given TO the organization OF corn and
cotton growers associations for the
state since the use OF improved seed
means TO increase the yield OF both Of
these crops.
Thus. II will be seen that the actiyi-
ties Of the college are OF a most varied
nature. and that through it's extension
department IL Is endeavoring TO co-op-
crate with and promote the best inter-
ests OF the farmers of the state. The
responses to its efforts have been quite
surprising and show that the farmer Is
alive to the situation which confronts
him and is willing to do his part in the
constructive work which must be under
taken Immediately to place agriculture
on permanent and substantial basis.
In conclusion. II may be interesting to
many to learn that Georgia is one OF the
pioneers in extension work and that the
experiments being made here along this
line are being looked upon with unusual
interest and studied carefully by institu-
tons in other states. After all has been
said and done, economic problems which
confront us are not as difficult as they
appear TO be IL we bring the aid of ma
ture to the farmer, and this can certain
ly be done IL we provide for and stimu-
late research in the proper proportion,
and then organize agencies for the dis
tribution OF the information in an ef-
fective manner, for our most vexing
problems after all may be solved through
education for efficiency in rural com
munities.