Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1911-11-09
INCREASE THE OUTPUT
Pres. Snyder Urges More Attention to
Agricultural Resources Of State
EDUCATION IS NECESSARY
Head of M. A. C. Questions AdvlSability of
Forming a New Commission.

President J. l.. Snyder OF the Ag-
ricultural college, expressed much
interest in the interview given out re-
Gently by Vice-President Patriarchc
of the Pere Marquette Railroad in
which the latter urged that more at
tention be given TO the agricultural
resources of the state, that the pro-
duction may be increased and i'm
proved Discussing Mr.. Patriarche's 5
statements, President Snyder said:
Mr. Patriarche. like every other
wide-awake citizen, sees the neces-
sity of doing something to increase
the agricultural output from Michi-
gan farms. Consumption is rapidly
| overtaking production, which has had
much to do with the high cost of liv-
ing. If people are 10 be fed so years
! hence as they are at the present day.
| the farms of Michigan must produce
practically twice as much as they do
at the present time. Just how to
! bring about this increase in produc-
! ton is the question. The college has
! for a number OF years been awake TO
! this condition and it has made every
effort possible with the funds pro-
vided by the legislature TO increase
the production OF farm products The
college now, with funds sorely needed
for other purposes, keeps in the field
three men who are organizing breed
| ing associations. alfalfa clubs, carry
| ing on spraying demonstrations and
| in various other ways encouraging
! the farmers to use better methods.
We have been instrumental in hav-
ing Is high schools organize agricul
tural departments. We shall hold
agricultural schools during the COM
ing winter for short period in con-
nection with four OF these high
schools AS it is well known we
carry on experiments and send our
bulletins to $4,000 Michigan farmers
We could increase this work almost
without limit if funds were provided
! We have the organization and our
men are in the field and know what
is needed; it is simply a question OF
money. If it was thought wise to
advertise Michigan lands and entice
farmers from other states, this work
could be carried on under the direc-
ton OF the college or under the di-
rection of the forestry commission.
"The college will welcome and CO.
operate with any organization which
has for its object the bettering OF
agricultural conditions. should
question, however, the advisability OF
forming a new commission which
would change with every political ad-
ministration 1t is impossible to
eliminate such an office from the in
huence of politics. This means fire.
quent change i'll the personnel OF the
department. The great work TO be
done in the state is educational. The
function of the state commission is
administrative and not educ ational
81 think that anyone by examining
the report of other states will be con
vinced that the aggressive, helpful
work in the various states is being
done by the agricultural colleges and
experiment stations rather than by
commissioners of agriculture. There
is great work to be done in this
state 1t will take money, and wher
the state is ready TO appropriate the
money, ! believe it will not make any
mistake in its judgment as to the
best methods of administration -
Lansing Journal.