The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1911-08-23
WILL ESTABLISH TEST FARMS
CENTRAL RAILROAD WILL AID
SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE.
Will Be Fifteen of Them Along Line
OF 40 Acres Each Under Direction
of Trained AgricuIturist.


Announcement is made that the
agricultural department of the Cen
trail of Georgia will establish about
fifteen test farms" along it's line of
road in Alabama and Georgia this
Fall. The object is to provide an op-
portunity for a practical test of the
farming methods advocated by the
agricultural college in each state, and
10 supplement and assist the work
OF their extension departments. The
plan followed will be similar to that
OF the Oklahoma Board of AgricuIt-
ure. The railway company viii enter
into partnership with fifteen farmers
VINO own land at different points
along the right of way to farm forty
acres of their land in accordance with
plans and instructions which will be
worked out by the agricultural col
lege authorities in an effort to prove
now much net money may be made
on well balanced farm, properly
cultivated under the most approved
methods, with proper rotation of
crops, and with such variety of same
as Will produce as nearly as possible
all the food stuff required on the
farm; while at the same time in
creasing the productiveness and val
ue OF the land instead of robbing it
OF its natural fertility.
The farmers selected to make
these tests will receive the assistance
Iot a trained agriculturist EMPLOYED
by the railways agricultural de-
partment to call upon them twice a
month and advise them as to the
carrying out of the work. On ac-
count of different local conditions
1T is probable that the plans for no
two of the farmers will be exactly
alike. Each farmer will, therefore,
have the benefit of expert supervis-
ION and plan and instructions espe-
cially adapted to meet the particular
requirements Of his own home farm
In addition he will be protected by
guarantee from the Central railway
to make good any loss caused
through failure of the methods pre-
seribed, j. e., in case the products
of the farm do not equal in value the
| expense for seed, fertilizer, labor in
planting, cultivating, harvesting and
marketing and fair rental on the
land the railway company will make
good the loss up to a certain
amount.
In order that the test may be fair.
and in consideration of what is done
for him, the test farmer will be re-
CURED to agree to use such seed and
fertilizer and in such quantities as
may be prescribed, and to follow
carefully all instructions as to meth
DDS of soil preparation, planting, Gull
| tivating, etc.
Copies of the instructions prepared
for each farm will be furnished to as
many farmers in that locality as de-
sire them; and though the agricult-
ur1st can supervise but one farm in
each locality advance notice will be
given OF each of his visits so that
all who are following instructions
can nave an opportunity to meet
MIN on his periodical calls at the
test farm.
1t is the belief of the management
of the Central of Georgia railway
| that the result of these improved
farming methods, if generally ADOPT
ed by the farmers adjacent to it's
lines, would be large increase in
the prosperity of the farmers and of
the railroad which serves them; and
they have, therefore, decided upon
this test farm work in the belief that
such actual visible demonstrations
OF the most modern agricultural
methods will hasten the day when
the country traversed by the Central
OF Georgia railway will become what
its natural advantages entitle it to
oe-one of the most thriving agri-
cultural sections of the United
States.
1t is to be hoped that arrange
ments will be made for one of these
test farms in Terrell county. 1t is
matter that our farmers should take
up with the Central railroad.
Tour Through the Country.
DR. Rpl1 and Mnccrc HIN nov ~, !