The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-09

agent, of Montgomery presiding, 1t was opened with an address of welcome by Dr. C. (. Thach, president of the Ala bama Polytechnic institute Problems Confronting Farmers Itl. Thach spoke of the problems which face tbo southern farmers, and or the obstacles which the farmers must over come to achieve success.
 "one of the most serious limitations of the southern people as whole" he de- clared. 'is their lack of ability to handle | machinery. Not that they haven't the kpacls, but they have not the training" He emphasized the use of modern farm implements as one of the desiderata for success.
 Keep the boys on the farm he said That is one of the problems that is with lis. We read of it and hear of it, and it is with us Did it ever occur to you to ray your boys each a wage, to make life cn the farm thus attractive to him? Did it ever occur to you to make better tEo social life and social opportunities of life in the country?"
 The other problems which are up to the farmer for solution, pests, diversif- cation, schools, good roads, live stock breeding, and most of all, labor the pres id<nt mentioned in his assertion that ag- riculture is a profession for the thinker and for the student MT. H. E. sSavely. general field agent for the southern states, responded to Dr. Thach's address in few words of appreciation. Some Interesting Figures E. L. Moss, state agent in reviewing the work of the demonstration agents of Alabama, proved that the expenditure of money for the system was the best in vcstnenl ever made for the state and for the federal government. A few of his f,gures in proof were:
 There were $500 acres of cotton in Ala bama last year, in demonstration work.
 There were $500 acres or corn in Ala bania in corn. The acreage figures in- clude not the boys corn clubs, nor the acreaSe unofficially cultivated by demon- stration methods.
 By demonstration methods, an average of 1zGc pounds of seed cotton to the acre were pIOuuceu, dSdlHSl d11 dVeIdSe Ol DOU pounds for the period preceding the sys- tenn of instruction, an increase In crop value of s25 an acre, or, on the demon- stration farms alone, an aggregate in creased yield of s157000.
 By demonstration methods, an average yield of B bushels of corn to the acre, as against former average of seven bdsllel to the acre. was made, represent ing q gain of S700O0 on the demonstra- ton farms alone. Considering the in- creased yield on cooperative farms. he showed that the aggregate increased value, brought about by farm demonstra- tlcn methods, had been about S455OOo. ana that, to bring about the instruction of farmers In the advanced methods, only s60.000 had been expended by state and federal government together.
 There is more intensive farm work in Alabama than in any other state in the south." said MT. Moss. He paid tribute 10 Auburn's work in agriculture. saying:
 Were looking to the college to work oue results and experiments. Then we'll apply ttem."
 Time and again technical questions by thc farmers brought forth appeals to the members of the colleges agricultural fac ulty, who sat with the assembly of farm. q S.
 Four Great Innovations
 MT. Moss mentioned four great innova- tiors accomplished by the demonstration agents during the year. innovations which he said he regarded as possessing great significance They were:
 Great success has been attained in Ala hama d',.''- ear in making crimson clover tests in the campaign of propogat- ing forage crops.
 Farmers have become somewhat imbued q nP ia Nf fertilizers at home. saving thus s16O to s4 a ton. As to this MT. Moss said:
 with 100000 to 500 GOO tons of commer- cial fertilizer used each year in Alabama, the system of home mixing, which our demonstration agents are endeavoring to ilnplant, represents tremendous sav- ing
 A third innovation was the institution in many sections of the state of sys- tenn Of terrace formations to prevent erosicn of hill lands, the destruction of lands ny erosion and the farmers pre- vious lack of interest in the salvation of their lands MT. Moss termed one of the greatest evils and dangers to the state.
 A fourth innovation was the system of special experiments on the large, ten- anted plantations of the state.
 Mir Moss address was a practical reve- lation of the value of studied and scien- tifr methods, and at it's conclusion the band of farmers applauded vigorously. General Field Agent Savely outlined the policy of the demonstration workers for 1912 The policy. simply is merely one extension Of the methods heretofore pur- sued. to larger and more compre-
 Increased Acreage Urged nensive scale.
 "You are missionaries and teachers" he said: Carry your work on harder and farther. There is no reason why instead of reporting on small plats of two or three or five acres, you should not report on p,ats of 25. 50 and 100 acres. Demon stration methods are successful on small units. why not in larger units?
 Get good. sound, sensible, rational rotation of crops on every demonstration plat. Get your farmers to put in a sys- tenn of hog pastures and raise your hogs cheaper" He advocated heartily the es- enlistment of hog breeding farms on every demonstration plat Also, he ad- vocatcd the production of other crops be-