The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-20
OUTSIDE AID FOR
VIRGINIA FARMERS
THE OFFER OF WEALTHY CHICA-
GoANs ACCEPTED NY COVER.
NOR MANN.
PLAN MAPPED OUT.
FUNDS WILL BE SUPPLEMENTAL TO
AND COOPERATIVE WITH
PRESENT sYsTEM--FRED-
ERICK COUNTY FIRST.

A plan whereby many Virginia
counties will secure voluntary out
side aid for the furtherance of agri-
cultural pursuits. upon which Gov
ernor Mann has been ut work for
some time, has practically reached
fruition.
The matter has been touched upoh
previously. but 1t was then IN the
embryo stage Some time ago Bert
Ball, of Chicago, who is secretary OF
The Crop Improvement association,
An organization OF wealthy men in
terested in agriculture. communicated
with Governor Mann outlining the OBJ
jects aud aims of the organization.
Mr. Bali offered, on behalf OF his
association, to give $1,000 to any and
every county In Virginia which would
raise a similar amount, the sum to
be expended under proper authority
for the betterment of agricultural
conditions through demonstration
work and by other means.
Agree On Plans.
The association hedged the offer
about with a number of restrictions,
among which was one STIMULATING
that the county's appropriation to
meet this offer should be received
through contributions of cisizens.
After voluminous correspondence and
much palnstaking effort and diplo-
macy on the part of the governor all
of the rough places have been
smoothed over and the State and
the Chicago philanthropists have
practically agreed on a plan of opera
ton and cooperation.
In Frederick First.
The first county to receive the
benefit of the new arrangement Will
be Frederick, that county having al
ready raised 5000 as a starter to meet
the conditions. The work done will be
supplemental to and cooperative
with the present demonstration work
conducted by the State and federal
departments of agriculture, and the
money will be expended through the
,present agencies. Governor Mann,
as chairman Of the united agricul-
tural board, which is composed of
federal and State officials. Will dig
-pense the funds through proper ~aF~
rants with a voucher system. which
will he a complete check on all opera
tions, and by which method the Chi
cage committee will have cogntzance
of where and how the funds are
spent. The sums received from Chi
cago will be deposited in the Mer-
chants National bank of Redmond,
subject to the governors warrant
VIII Foster Agriculture.
II is the governors idea TO or
ganize county crop Improvement COM
mittees In all the counties of the
State in order to stimulate interest
in this new plan TO foster and en-
courage agricultural DEVELOPMENT. In
counties where there are experiment
stations or regular demonstration ex-
perts the funds Will be expended
through the regular channels. ami IN
others experts will be employed TO ns-
aist IN the work OF practically eau-
eating the farmer.
The governor Is naturally very
much pleased with the success OF his
efforts to land this boon for Virginia.
While the State has been ma*ing
rapid strides in agriculture In late
years under the skilfui guidance OF
Commissioner OF Agriculture kciner.
the general assembly has never al
lowed an appropriation sufficient: to
keep pace with this progress. nor &c
permit Mr.. Koiner to carry out ;nuny
cherished plans which would make
even more material advancement,
and II Ia felt that this voluntary out
side aid IN cooperation with present
undertakings will work wonders for
agricultural progress in the State.