The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1911-12-21
DEMONSTRATION FARM.
Railroads win Establish Them
Along Their Lines.

Along Their Lines.
Announcement is made that the
Illinois Central Railroad Company
will establish several "Demonstra-
ton Farms" along its lines in Mis-,
sissippi and Louisiana in the early
part of 1879; the cultivation OF
these farms to be carried out ac-
cording to scientific methods ad-
vocated by the Agricultural Col
leges in each state, and to supple
meut and assist the work OF their
Extension Departments.
The Railroad Company will en-
ter into a contract with farmers
who own land at different points
along the right of way, to farm
forty acres of their land in accord
ance with plans and instructions
which will be worked out by the
Agricultural College authorities,
in an effort to prove how much net
money may be made on a farm,
properly cultivated under the most
approved methods, with proper ro-
tation OF crops, and with such va
riety of same as will produce as
nearly as possible all the food stuff
required on the farm; while at the
same time increasing the product
iveness and value of the land IN
stead of robbing it of its natural
{ fertility.
The farmers selected to make
these tests will receive the assist
ance of a trained agriculturalist
employed by the Railroads Indus.
trial and immigration Department
to call upon them and advise with
them as to the carrying out of the
work. On account of different To-
cal conditions, it is probable that
the plans for no two of the farms
will be exactly alike. Each farmer
will, therefore, have the benefit OF
expert supervision aud plan and
instructions especially adapted to
meeting the particular require
ments Of his own home farm. In
addition, he will be protected by a
guarantee from the Illinois Central
Railroad Company to make good
any loss caused through failure of
the methods prescribed, i. e., in
case the products of the farm do
not equal in value the expense tor
seed, fertilizer, labor in planting,
cultivating, harvesting and market
ing, and fair rental on the land,
the Railroad 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 required to agree to use
such seed and fertilizer and in such |
quantities as may be prescribed,
and to follow carefully all instruc-
tions as to methods of soil prepa-
ration, planting, cultivating, etc.
Copies of the instructions pre-
pared for each farm will be fur
nished to as many farmers in that
locality as desire them, and though
the agricuIturist can supervise but
one farm in each locality advance
notice will be given to each of his
visits so that all who are following
instructions can have an opportun-
ity to meet him on his periodical
calls at the Demonstration Farms
The management of the Illinois
Central Railroad have decided up
on this Demonstration Farm work
in the belief that the results OF
these improved farming methods,
if generally adopted by the farmers
adjacent TO its line, would be a
large increase in the prosperity Of
the farmers, and of the railroad
which serves them.
The farms will be located on
both branches of the /. c. system.
MISSISSIPPI BEAT WISCONSIN