The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-09-01

each state and territory an az
ricultural experiment station for the
benefit of the farmers, twenty four
years have passed into history.
In view of that fact it is in order
to recite the purpose and the plans
of that statesmanlike piece Of legisa-
ton. The act carries an annual APP
preparation of $4,000 to each state and
territory for the support and mainte-
nance Of a station. Although regard
ed as connected with the State College
of Agricultural creation of the Nor
rill act of 1S62-such station can be
located by the legislature of any state
at the pleasure of the latter
The Ohio and the Georgia stations
are notable instances Of the exercise
of that right on the part of the leg
islature. There is no good reason why
the station and the college should be
ON the same campus or in the same
town or city. The writer may say
that there is no more efficient or eff
fective station in the whole Union
than the ohio station, which several
years ago was removed from the seat
Of the college. The Georgia station
was removed from Athens under an
act approved Dec. 90, 1888. That act
was passed by the house after full
and free discussion by a vote of 1903 to
3, by the senate unanimously. 1t au-
| thorized the location Of the station at
such place as seemed to be preferable
on account of adaptability and the lib
erality of the people of that commu-
nifty In gifts of land and money. 1t
was in this manner that the station
was transferred from Athens to EX
| pertinent.
So much for the history of the Hatch
| act and the great institutions which
have accomplished so much Of good
and are still engaged in the work of
upbuilding the agriculture of the coun-
try.
The specific purpose Of the Hatch act
is set forth in the second section there
of-yiZ:
That it shall be the object and duty of
said experiment stations to conduct orig
the physiology Of plants and animals, the
diseases to which they are severally sub
| ject, with the remedies of the same; the
| chemical composition of useful plants at
| their different stages of growth, the COM
parative advantages of rotative groupings
| as pursued under the varying series of
crops, the capacity of new plants or trees
| for acclimation the analysis of soils and
water, the chemical composition of ma
nures, natural or artificial, with expert
ments designed to test the comparative
effects on crops of different kinds; the
adaptation and value of grasses and for
age plants, the composition and digesti-
bility of the different kinds of food for
domestic animals, the scientific and eco,
nomic questions involved in the produce
ton of butter and cheese and such other
researches or experiments bearing directly
on the agricultural industry Of the United
States as may in each case be deemed ad
visable, having due regard to the varying
conditions and needs of the respective
states and territories.
There is no installing the work to
be done by each station. The line of
demarcation between station and agri-
cultural college is sharply drawn.
Under the Morrill, act Of 1862, which
provided for college of agriculture
in each state and territory, the inter
est on the money realized by each
state and territory from the sale of the
10000 acres of public lands for each
senator and representative in congress
according to the census of 1860 shall
be used for the endowment, support
and maintenance of at least one col
lege where the leading object shall be,
without excluding other scientific and
classical studies and including military
tactics, to teach such branches of
learning as are related to agriculture
and the mechanical arts in such man
ner as the legislatures of the states
may respectfully prescribe in order to
promote the liberal and practical edu
cation of the industrial classes in the
several pursuits and professions in
life.
What is known as the second Nor
rill act, approved Aug. 80, 1890, in
creased the apprOpriatiOn-rathe made
a cash appropriation which begun with
$4,000 year and was increased 81 600
q year till the amount reached the sum
of $4,000, thereafter to be fixed an
nual appropriation, but did not change
the object of the college, which is to
teach.
The amendment by Senator Nelson
which became part of the oft amended
Morrill, act, March 4, 1907, provided
an increase in the cash appropriation
to each college of agriculture of $1,000
year for five years; thereupon the
regular annual cash appropriation to
each such college is $4,000. In many
of the states, including Georgia, this
$4,000 a year from the federal gov
eminent plus a handsome sum from
interest on the Soney received from
the sale OF the land donated by the
original Morrill, act is literally supple
mented. According to official reports,
Georgia is giving annually to her col
lege of agriculture. inclusive Of $500 !
for farmers institutes, the snug sum
of $50, 800
Since their organization, which quick |
~ lOliOMSu IuO ChdCllhClt VI lllt
bill into law. the stations have been
giving the farmers from year to year
vast deal of practical and valuable !
information. This information, care
TulIy prepared, appears III Jne form OF
bulletins which are gladly sent to ev-
cry farmer who may express a desire |
TO receive them. They are sent also |
to the newspapers in reasonable ex. |
pectancy that the editors will notice
the same and thus direct the attention |
Of their subscribers TO the fact that IA
bulletin has been published ON farm
topic of importance and can be had
for the asking.
Exclusive Of annual reports. press |
bulletins and circulars, Georgia station
has issued and distributed ninety
bullafins All of those qualifications ara