Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-13
Power of Service Through Agricultural Training


The editor OF these columns Is ire
gently asked what an agricultural edu-
cation represents. There seems TO Re ,
vague idea in the minds OF many that
a man choosing this course viii not re-
ceive what We have been pleased 70
term in the past a liberal education,
ana that he viii be fitted but for one
thing. namely. that OF farming. II is
amazing as well as interesting to meet
with many persons who seem 10 have
the impression that students pursuing
course IN agriculture must OF necessity
be somehow different from other stu
dents. OF curse. these propositions
are all absurd man completing a
weil-balauced course OF instruction In
an agricultural college has received
broad basis on which TO predicate his
ne work. II is nanifestly. impossible
for one 20 study and appreciate the
science on which agricultural practice
is based without the ability TO read
and discourse intelligently in the Eng
fish language. II is certainly advisable
for him to know something OF at least
one foreign language. preferably French
or German. since very rapid progress IN
scientific advancement is being made
E BY these nations.
A student who enjoys an agricultural
education Of merit must certainly study
rather extensively along economic lines
He must have a fair knowledge OF bot
any and biology. q good course OF train
Ing in nateria medfca. animal anato-
nv and physiology. hygiene and santa
tion. bacterioIogy. entomology, agron-
omy. plant breeding. horticulture. ami
nal husoandry. farm mechanics and
forestry. When a man has completed
a course OF this character under the
direction OF some twenty or twenty-five
EXPERTS he must have assimilated
great deal OF information which is not
only Of cultural value but which may
be put into immediate practice with.
highly beneficial results. AS matter
OF fact. there are few types OF applied
education which offer men greater op-
portunity OF greater variety OF en-
plovment than a modernly conceived
and organized course in agricultural
science
Il is natural to suppose that man
well trained along the lines indicated
would enjoy facility as a writer OF spe-
ciaf articles He should certainly be
able 10 prepare many monographs and
bulletins on economic and social sub
jects as relating 70 the life and welfare
OF the farmer OF more than passing i'm
portance. His training would At him
admirably IN the course OF time. 70 edit
agricultural papers or 10 serve In the
same capacity IN connection with some
institution publishing and distributing
bulletins OF information for the benefit
OF farmers Certainly ne should be
better prepared 70 preside oyer the
dsstinies OF a rural school than any
other man who could be secured he
might teach agriculture and science IN
q most acceptable manner in the aver
age high school With experience he
rRotld rnafs q desifabls principal for
district agricultural school. or rural
high school and for many schools locat-
ed IN the smaller towns and cities. II
nature study is 90 be taught, he IL vel
prepared to undertake the task II
farm demonstrations are 20 be made,
test plats laid down in various coun-
ties. or an agricultural leader engaged
for the information and advice Of the
farmers Of a given community, who Is
batter prepared 70 serve them accept
Ably than a man with training Of this
character The state and the govern
ment require experts 10 carry on re-
search and 90 instruct in the higher IN
stitutions OF learning.
Il Is through men trained in these lines
that We are now beginning to evolve and
develop a system OF agricultural educa-
tion Of definite value Every one famil-
Tar with the situation realizes that foF
ffty years little progress IN this direc-
ton was made because experts were not
available 70 direct the work Above all
a weIl-baIanced course in agricultural
science fits a man Tor the responsible
duties dependent on a plantation owner
or manager. The time is nct far dis
tant when many Of the large areas Of
land found throughout the south. must
be operated along different lines from
those which have been pursued for the
last hfty TO one hundred years. Who is
the man TO take over a proposition Of
this character and do the work I'm