Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-03-24
1000 FARMERS WELCOME
FARM TRAIN At ELLIJAY
Bic Crowd Hears Interesting
Addresses on Best Methods
for Soil
81 RoexRs WINTER.

ELLIJAY. Ca. March z2-The pretty
little town OF EIuay. double cluster
n the Intersection OF two broad. fertile
valleys. turned cut en- masse wednes-
day afternoon 10 give the agricultural
train welcome marked by enthusiastic
interest and cordial hospitality. and the
sturdy yeomanry OF Gilmer county was
assembled from all the hills and valleys
and coves for miles around TO hear what
the college experts had 20 tell them
about better methods OF tining the soil.
It was scene OF beautiful tranquility
evident prosperity and suspicious signif-
cance- The whole gathering numbered
not less than 200 people and the day
viii be remembered long time through
out the community.
Hon W. b. James. Gilmer county's
representative IN the legislature. made
the address OF welcome. He said that
he spoke for all his fellow citizens when
he made the statement that Enijay and
Gflmer county were glad the train had
stopped in their midst He impressed
upon the farmers that the men aboard
the train are experts, who would have
something OF inestimable value to say
70 them II they would give their close
attention
After him came Dr. z. w. Watkins, a
venerable physician and highly respected
gentleman. who introduced DR.. Soule
with hne tribute OF praise. and he
also urged the audience to pay close
heed TO all that the speakers would have
70 say.
This they did. one OF the men on
the train who has been with It almost
continuously during It's tour declared
that there had not been a more closely
attentive audience dealt with anywhere
The farmers formed close, compact
group numbering more than Loo men
and boys standing as close up to the
platform car as they could get, and
with all eyes conferred on the speakers,
they drank IN every word. They were
50 quiet that It was easy and pleasant
20 address them. There was no pushing
showing or jostlings and they were ex-
ceedingly courteous in keeping of the
car 50 as to allow room for the pro-
gram
DR.. soule spoke first. The main thought
OF his speech was that all progress. ag-
riculfural and otherwise, IS base first
on theory. and then on application OF
theo=y. he tried TO impress the farmers
that they are mistaken II they deprecate
the book farmer" that Is the college
man who depends az much on theory as
practice. He told them that as far back
as Rome the farmers knew that legumi-
nous crops have an enriching effect on
soil But Il was not until 1876 that the
reason why this is true was discovered.
Touching on methods. he stressed rota-
ton OF crops deep blowing and heavy
fertilization provided the sort Is used
that win supply the lacking elements OF
plant food
Live stock talk came next. IN which
Professor Milton p Jarnigan, Of the
state college. took the leading part He
showed the farmers the Hereford bull.
an almost perfect individual OF the beef
type Knowing this to be a cattle rails
ing county. he endeavored TO convince
his hearers that IL they are trying TO
make money in that industry they owe
II 70 themselves to select the breeds that
win pay the biggest dividends. breeds
that viii turn their grass and trough
feed into real money. He stressed the
point that the man who raises beef
should select a beef breed, and the man
who raises dairy products should select
n milk and butter cow The same gen
eraI idea was emphasized IN the talk
on hogs Thoroughbreds cost a little
more 10 begin with, but they viii pro-
duoe three times as much meat in half
the time on the same amount OF feed
and attention that a razor back gets
sheep are quick moneymakers, he told
them. II only a little systematic care
and attention IS given them The i'm
portance and the big money In raising
mules came in for a large share OF at
tentinn. because this IS another leading
Industry in Gilmer county. That scrub
mares do not pay as breeders was the
idea given particular emphasis. The
grade Percheron brood mares were ex-
hfbited as the best al1-round type or
mule-raisers. They cost no more than
a good mule, can DO as much work. and
win bring three colts IN four years cas-
Nv. without losing much time
All OF this was especially applicable,
as GIlme- county ships a great many
cattle and raises quite a number OF
mules. Gradually the scrub cattle are
being replaced with carefully selected
individuals for breeding purposes. There
are two good breed Jacks in the county,
but what they need most IS to have some
grade mares introduced Corn Is the
main market crop. In sight 6f the Eli
5ay depot lie :, 300 acres OF bottom land
that last year produced an average Of
80 bushels per acre. This-could be dou-
bled BY the employment OF modern
methods. declared Or. Soule, and in this
connection he tried TO persuade the
farmers TO start out this year by select