The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-07-27
END


healthfu1 influence in winning a host
of farmers away from the hazardous
method of sowing oats broadcast,
and has induced them to adopt the
plan of sowing in the open furrow Or
in drilling them. The immense prac-
teal value of this work will be ap-
preciated when one is told that three
years out of five, eighty-f1ve per cent
of oats sown broadcast are killed by
the freezing weather which comes in
December, February or mid March.
More than that, the Georgia Station
sending out Appler oats from year to
year has contributed to larger av-
erage crop on home operated farms,
which is better than an increased
acreage with poor methods and poor
seed.
I am dealing with facts, not sur
misses. There has not been in the
past twenty-five years quite, an in
fiuence that has contributed so much
to real agricultural progress in the
State as the Georgia Agricultural
Experiment Station. Since 1891, the
work has been done without one dol
lars aid from the State. The money
for what is called maintenance and
support" has been and is supplied by
the Federal government. The State
pays the expenses of the quarterly
meeting Of the Board of Directors,
aggregating the sum of $40 a year.
The Federal funds are hedged
about with most rigid rules. Hence
it is that the Station Staff, though
anxious to get out among the farm
ho
with view to persuading one to five
farmers in each Congressional Dis
trict to cooperate with the Station
or let the Station cooperate with
them in experiments in corn and cot
ton production, etc. If the great
State Of Georgia would give for each
of the years 1912 and 1913 the small
sum Of five thousand dollars, the
Stations workers would be found in
diligently and enthusiastically doing
among the farmers the practical work
they have long been ready and de-
sirous to do.
| say these things lecause the Sta
ton is not understood A few only,
comparatively speaking, know that
the Stations mission is. 1t is not to
TEACH; that is the prescribed and
specific function of the agricultural
college. The duty of the Station is
to conduct experiments in the in
terest of the farmers, and to give
out the results, as it has been doing
the past 23 years, in bulletins which
can be had for the asking. These
bulletins cover a wide range of agri-
cultural subjects. They discuss those
subjects in language within the comp
rehension Of the average farmer. The
bulletins are adapted to his wants.
The subject matter is worked out of
the ground and put in such shape
that he can utilize if he wishes so to
do. 81 .-..
Something has been said about the
necessity of giving to the people in
formation on farm topics in the shape
of bulletins. Let me tell you that
since its organization in 1889, The
Georgia Station has formulated, pub
lished and sent free 20 farmers 92O,-
600 copies of VALUABLE bulletins now
nearly up to the one hundred num-
Der, exclusive of a large number Of
press bulletins and circulars of in
terest and of value to the farmer who
will read. Under the Federal law,
these bulletins are sent free to
farmers who ask for them. They will
be, in the future as in the past, sent
;%omptly and gladly to any farmer
who will manifest a wish to have