Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-07-28

To the Editor of The Journal: I re-
quest reasonable space in your deservedly
popular journal for the purpose of tell
ing the members of the general assem-
bly, and the people of the state, as sue
clnctly as possible, something about the
Georgia experiment station that cannot
fail to interest them.
There is a widespread belief that the
station is supported by the state. Quite
the contrary. 1t derives support and
maintenance" from the federal govern
ment only. Since the years 1882 1890 and
1891 CS5 600 each, year.; the state has not
contributed penny TO the support and
maintenance of the institution. The
state pays annuity s71010 for the ex-
penses incident to the qurterly meetings
of the board of directors. That is all.
Twenty years have passed since the
states last appropriation to the station.
But every year. of that long series OF
eventful years, the station has been
quietly and effectively contributing to
the highest interest of all our people
progressive agriculture.
The station has dug out of the ground,
and evolved in laboratory fact of inn
mense practical value TO the farmers of
the commonwealth. This information
has been given out to the people in bull
letins, not less than four a year-to say
nothing of press bulletins and circulars.
In the % years of its existence the sta
ton has sent out CSC. 900 copies of the reg
ular bulletins which treat of corn and
cotton culture, forage and fruit produc-
ton. truck, live stock, etc.
Under the provisions of the federal
acts, bulletins are sent only to persons
who ask for them-farmers being given
the preference. The thought which sug-
gested that persons should be required
to ask for the bulletins is good, the
presumption being that such persona
would give closer attention to the publi-
cations than would those upon whom the
bulletins might be thrust.
The management, however, has found
pleasure in sending the publications to
persons whom they felt confident would
Understand, as long as the supply of
any bulletin lasts IT can be had for the
asking.
The question is frequently put to me:
why is it that the members of the
station stan do not go out over the state,
speaking at farmers meetings as do the
members of the faculty Of the State
College Of Agricultural"
The answer is: For the very good
reason that federal funds cannot be used
for that purpose. The station lacks the
beneficent aid which the state extends
to the college. Besides. the large and
very liberal endowment placed upon the
agricultural college by congress is not
hedged about by the rigid rules which
prescribe and control the expenditure of
federal funds which support the sta
ton"
r. I. 49, e. 49, .tatio,,e ,,,o,,o 49,, 80
to say that during the period that the
faculty of the college of agriculture was
incomplete calls We're made upon the sta
ton or men to aid in farmers institute
work. Each and all such calls were
promptly and cheerfully responded to in
the affirmative. 1 recite the fact for the
sole purpose of showing the readiness
and the willingness of the station man.
agement TO go out among the people
whenever the way is made straight. In
the cases referred to, expenses were paid
out Of the Farmers institute fund by
the college.
Through the liberal aid of the state
the college does what is called extern
sion work" which latter term has been
interpreted to mean teaching"
To teach is the specific function of
the college.
To experiment is the special mission
of the station. There is, therefore, no
conflict between the station and the col
lege. Each has its orbit mapped out in
the law.
Search the record. you will find that
the station has been and is hewing to
the line written in the Hatch and the
Adams acts of the congress and in the
Georgia act approved December 30. 1888.
The station is doing its work thoroughly
and helpfully.
There is work TO be done among the
farmers-co-operative experimental
work, and other legitimate work--thst
would be fruitful of good results to the
agriculture of Georgia. The station
staff is anxious to enter upon that
work; therefore. for the first time in
20 years the general assembly is appeal
e. to for an appropriation for the pur-
pose indicated in the small sum of S.
600 for the year 1912 and $4,000 for the
year 1913.
a few years ago the general govern
ment generously gave the station a syr-
up plant at Waycross, of the most APP
proved pattern, valued at $4,000. The
government constructed the plant with
a view to the discovery of a process by
which Georgia cane syrup could be man
ufactured that would not ferment. Hon.