Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-02-07
RURAL SCHOOLS AND
IMPROVED FARMING
THEME OF SMITH
He Gives Out Interview Out
lining Views Which viii
Probably Be Stressed in His
Message to Legislature

In a statement given out saturday
Gov.-eIect Hoke Smith outlines he prob
able topics which VIII be discussed more
at length In his message to the people or
the state He expresses the opinion that
the prosperity Of the state depends pri-
rnarfy upon the net pronts derived from
the cultivation OF the soil an advocates
three important things in the attainment
OF this end
First. the Improvement or rural schools.
second. the adoption OF the very best
methods by the farmers OF the state.
Third. the settlement in Georgia OF ca
pable white farmers from other sections
OF the country who viii own their own
farms and live and work on them.
:. connection with the improvement OF
the rural schools OF the state. Gov.-elect
Hoke Smith urges the creation of a board
OF education composed OF educators In
regard to advanced education in agricul-
ture he advocates the publicity OF in
formation which will help men engaged
IN farming TO improve their methods.
The statement in full is as follows:
The prosperity OF Georgia depends pri-
marty upon the net profits derived from
the cultivation OF the soil.
closely Identified with the interests Of ev-
cry man In the state. whether he be en-
Eagc1 lin farming. manufacturing. mer-
chzndizing or professional work
II is now realized that successful farm
ing does not depend simply upon manual
labor. but that il is a pursuit which Of
fers the widest field for scientific investi-
cation. and which requires the very best
OF trained minds.
- IN rrfa
others three things are essential:
Ffrst-The improvement OF our rural
schools.
second-The adoption OF the very best
methods BY all the farmers of the state.
Third-The settlement in Georgia OF
capable white farmers from other sec
tons OF our country who viii own their
own farms. live on them and work them.
RURAL SCHOOLS.
OF our $500 white teachers engaged in
rural school work, probably one-fourth OF
them resign. and so into other occupa-
lions each year
While our rural school teachers are ear
nest and faithful. they have not as a rule
had that opportunity for preparation
many OF them would have desired.
Three-fourths OF the county school COM
missioners are paid for only a portion OF
their time. and many OF them are, there
fore. not in a position to furnish leader
ship aud direction for the rural school
work
The state appropriases this year s2.seo.-
90 to our public schools. The state school
commissioner however efficlent though
ne is. cannot alone give that supervision
and leadership which the expenditure OF
tnis large sum Of money justines.
have discussed this subject with
teachers. legislators, business men and
farmers The suggestions 1 present are
largely made I'D OF views expressed by
others.
Eirst-Let us create a state board OF
education composed Of educators.
A bill to this effect has been before the
legislature for four years past Opposi-
ton on account Of rivalry to positions
upon the new board perhaps contributed
to prevent the passage OF the bill.
How would the officials who from
time to time occupy the following POSI-
tons do as a state board Of education;
state school commission.
Chancellor OF the University.
President OF the State College OF Agri-
culture.
President OF the Athens Normal.
President of the MilledgevilIe Normal
President OF Emory.
President OF Mercer.
President OF the Farmers UniOn7
The governor OF the state might al
SO properly be made a member.
such q board would certainly present
SUGGESTIONS and directions which would
greatly improve the rural school work
OF the state
SUPERVISION OF RURAL SCHOOLS.
But in addition TO such a board. we
must give the rural schools the benefit
OF more complete supervision
To do this ! suggest a rural school
supervisor for each congressional dis
trict. to be elected by the new state
board of education
These supervisors in their respective
districts could meet with the county
school commissioners and cooperate
with them in their work
They could meet with the teachers in
every county and aid in holding county
normal schools, which should greatly
add to the good work Of the teachers.
They could 90 to the schools and slim
ulate the work in the schools.
They could help organize boys sgri-
cultural clubs and girls work
They could aid IN the instruction Of
agriculture in the rural schools Of the
state.
They could stimulate the study OF
home sanitation
wards making the school houses in the
rural sections the center OF instruc-
ton and entertainment both for parents
snd for children
ADVANCED INSTRUCTION IN AGRI-
CULTURE
2. The State College OF Agriculture is
doing a great work for the farming in
terests OF Georgia, not alone in teaching
the boys who attend as students, but in
studying problems and furnishing in
formation for the use Of the grown
farmers
The greatest publicity should be given
through this institution to all informa
ton which viii help men now engaged
IN farming TO adopt better methods.
An, editor as a part Of the stan or
Continued on Page Eight.
= REFUSES $500 FoR =