Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-02-28
FARM TRAIN STARTS
ITS FOURTH WEEK;
HAS BUSY PROCLAIM
College on Wheels Faces the
Hard Task of Visiting Two
De-en Towns Between Monz
day and Saturday
a7 ". =. wArEns. %.


COLUMBUS, Ca, Feb. 27.-WiEh 2,2l3
miles of the long journey already be-
hind ii, the educational special Of the
Georgia State College of Agriculture roll
ed out of the Union station here this
morning to begin the fourth week Of
its tour to of the state, it viii rest next
Sunday in Savannah; the Sunday after
that, in Atlanta; the ensuing Sunday, in
Rome; and ere another week has turned.
1t will have completed its work and
vanished, like Halley's comet, leaving be-
hind 1t trail thousands, instead Of mir
lions, of miles Tonga trail that is stead
lily clarifying the atmosphere and dis
polling the clouds of prejudice and lie
time habit, even now, while the train -
yet on wheels.
That the special is doing a great work
for Georgia, cannot be doubted by any
observant man who gives it his atten-
ton It is making the farmer think. It
is making him realize that there Is
something more to his great vocation
than mere back-breaking toll 1t is' teach +
ing him that brains and business are
needed on the farm as vitality as they are
needed everywhere else.
The train is not carrying college edu-
cation to the man who raises Georgfa's
corn and cotton. Were II even to at
tempt that, it would fail dismaily That
would be a titanic task. impossible to
it Is the trains sole purpose.
LESSONS FOR FARMERS.
But 1T is carrying few deep lessons
to the farmer. 1t is telling him how TO
save his lands if they are rich, and how
to feed them IL they are poor, a1d how
to doctor them if they are sick. 1t is
telling him to save his work by produc-
ing as much ON few acres as he has
heretofore been producing on mary; and
it is showing him how TO do that It u
counseIing him to diversity his crops.
and to raise stock. and briefly telling
him how to do both.
In short the educational special ~
carrying a capsule of information 10 the
farmer. showing him its effects. telling
him that he can get other capsules AZ
the state college, and advising him. Il
his circumstances permit. to send his
sons there that they may partalze Of p
full meal at the taLle Of knowledge and
be prepared, as a lawyer or a doctor
or business man is prepared, for their
life work.
1t Is spreading dissatisfaction with the
old conditions. 1t Is working, rot for
the college of agriculture nor for any in
dividuaI, but for the agricultural devel
opment of Georgia. for the stoppage Of
leaks through which millions Of dollars
are lost each year, for the enrlchmenr
OF the state.
At Columbus Saturday evening, an
other surprise awaited the train party.
like the one which greeted a at Sayaa'
nah a week before.
OPEN HOUSE AT COLUMBUS.
At Columbus the whole train had to
be thrown open. The local newspapers
had advertised the coming Of the train.
and the community insisted upon see
ing for itself what the farmers CT Geor-
gia are seeing daily by tens Of thou
sands Many farmers. apparently, had
come In from all parts of Muscogeo
county 10 see the train Most of the
visitors were city people, residents or
Columbus. But one and all, whether city
men or farmers, they looked long and
hard and with interest at every detail
that was laid before them, and made
comments and asked intelligent nues-
tions. and went away talking about IL
all. The doors of the exhibits could
have been left open TIL midnight, as
they were at Savannah. or later.
But the party aboard the train IS
dwindling daily. now, and hardly cor
poraFs guard was left when it reached
this city Saturday night. 1t was too big
a task. and there were too few men 10
perform it, and all we're too tired TO give
Columbus and Muscogee county all Of
the educational, train that they seemed 70
crave SO the doors were shut at
O'Clock, by previous agreement with the
considerate leaders of the local recep-
ton, after they had been open to the
public for two hours.
The present weeks work will carry the
train. Monday. in the charge Of the Cen
traI railroad, to Geneva. Butler. Perry
and Fort Valley; Tuesday. TO MiIledge-
vile, Eatonton. Monticello and Cray:
Wednesday, under charge of the Macon.
Dublin and Savannah TO JeffeTsonyiiie.
Danville, Dublin and Soperton; Thurs
day, in charge Of the Georgia. Southern
and Florida, to Wellston, Vienna, ASH
burn and Sparks; Friday, again in the
charge of the Central. to Forsyth.
GAINESVILLE and Thomaston; and Satur-
day, TO Gordon. Toomsboro, Tenaille and
Wadley. From Wadley the train win
be run into Savannah to spend Sum
day.
AT Columbus the members Of the par
ty were shown numerous court estes on
Sunday by j. l.. Hunt. travelling passen-
ger agent of the Central. whose head
quarters are here. Through his thought
fulness. they were provided with cards
TO the Elks' club here. and so we're pro-
vided with the means of admission to
several new and pleasant friendships.
Prof. 7. II. Mediation. head Of the
horticultural department at the college.
relieved Prof O.. w. Firor, who has been
with the train since it started. here yes
terday for weeks trip. Prof. r J. H.
DeLoach, of the cotton industry depart
ment of the college, relieved Prof John
r. Fain. agronomist 70. Ike period.