Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-06

70 repnes Will Do pupA1noo Al @A~
tablish itinerant schools for teachers on
this account. as ell will testify who have
had experience in extension worK.
WHAT A SPECIAL INSTITUTION MAY
ACCOMPLISH.
While the above described method or
reaching the teachers IL admirable, In
many respects, something more definite
and comprehensive must be undertaken
Immediately II anything worth while Is
to be done for the rising generation. To
this end there should be organized at
some central point in the south, in
association with a college of agriculture,
an institution the object of which shall
be to impart to the teachers of the COM
mon schools the methods and informa-
ton by which they may successfully in
troduce instruction in agriculture into
the common schools. The course need
not be over three months long, and the
cost per individual need not exceed $50.
as tuition should be free. The building
provided for this school should be large
enough TO accommodate 500 to LOCO
teachers. 1t should be provided with the
essential apparatus and surrounded by
attractive grounds and school gardens.
There should be a large conservatory
so that the work may go forward sys-
tematically both winter and summer.
Such an institution could train satisfac-
toriIly 1000 teachers year. The build
ing and its equipment need not exceed
in cost $4,000. The maintenance OF this
school would entail an annual outlay OF
$4,000, and though thousands of teach
ers are required in the south, an insti-
tuition organized along the lines suggest
ed would soon make an impression on
the profession. In order to reduce the
living expenses of the teachers TO
minimum, a suitable dormitory and din
ing hall should also be provided, which
would cost approximately 100000 more.
Thus, for an outlay OF 100000 for perma-
nent equipment. and a maintenance fund
equal to the interest at 5 per cent on
s. OO0, 600, an institution could be estao-
Iished which would pave the way for
the solution Of the great problem or In
PRODUCING fundamental instruction In ag-
riculture in the public school. Since the
treasures of most OF our southern states
are not overlooking, and probably pub
lie sentiment has not reached the point
where an institution Of this kind can
be organized and developed In each
commonwealth. is there not some phil
anthropist who is seeking an investment
for his money willing 10 use II In the
way suggested? In the province OF on
tario the government made an apporpria-
ton TO send $50 of it's normal school
teachers to the agricultural college for
a three months course OF instruction.
The results were most gratifying. The
organization OF this institution could
therefore hardly be looked upon as an
experiment. When the value OF the plan
has been fully demonstrated. each state
may be expected TO establish an lnsti-
tuition of its own as this would be
to accommodate the large
number OF teachers which must eventual
ly be trained. While the normal schools
should be fostered and encouraged, they
will not be able in years TO make any
great impress on the thousands % teach
ers needed I'm each state. The plan sug-
gested has the further advantage or
economy of public funds In proportion
to the service rendered, which Is mat
ter well worthy Of consideration.
am convinced that nothing which
might be undertaken at this moment
would exert a greater immediate infiu-
ence on the lives of our boys and girls
than the organization of an institution
such as this, which would provide for
the adequate training OF thousands OF
teachers In a subject which they can
never acquire except through some such
medium as has been suggested. That
the plan is worthy Of consideration Is
farm worker 10 years of age and over
In Georgia, according to the last census,
was s15sss Double the earning capae-
ity and what transformation has been
brought about. Applying the figures to
the school population. which in 1908 was
7s5 E1 IL appears that s115. 240.950 would
have been annually added to the states
revenue The scheme as outlined would
REQUIRE an initial expenditure OF 800. 900,
and its maintenance for a period OF ten
years would call for an expenditure OF
81 10000 additional. Would not net
revenue of approximately s1f3,0o0.0 900 be
good return on such an outlayg But who
can figure the benefits Of the work OF
this character in dollars and cents. and
who can say that the net returns to the
state would not be Infinitely greater, for
the difference In earning capacity be-
tween the uneducated laborer and the
college man has been shown to be one as
to four.
GROWING ALFALFA IN GEORGIA.
d. W. c., Savannah, Ga, writes: L
would like all the information you can
give me concerning the cultivation of
alfalfa I'm this state; also, II IL is neces-
sary to inoculate the land?
While alfalfa may be grown on a va
riety Of soils. II will probably do best
on loamy land that contains consider
able percentage of clay or vegetable
matter The soil should at least be
deep and well drained and the water table
should not rise within thre~ -FOUR feet
OF the surface. Alfalfa can be grown
on bottoms that are not subject to pro-
lohged overflow since II will stand food
ing from IS to Y hours depending on the