The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-15
A WINTER COURSE
FOR THE AGENTS
DEMONSTRATION MEN To HAVE
SIX WEEKS AT DLACKsBURG
THIS SEASON.
NEED TRAINED MEN
STATE AGENT SANDY ISSUES AN
NoUSCEMEST OF INTEREST
TO STATES AGRICULTURAL
INTEREsTS.

Virginia is State of great agricul-
celient and responds quickly to In
teiligent treatment The climate can
not be excelIed by any; two and some
times three crops can be grown on
one piece of land in a season. Every
prospect spleases, and only man has
to be stirred deeply, even to a greater
depth than the soil. to obtain the best
results. The air penetrates as deeply
as we pillow, and the advice given takes
as deep root as we are able to de-
monstrate the truth OF the same.
Therefore the farmers cooperative
demonstration work has been intro
duced TO get hold on the interest,
the thought and finally the energy of
our farmers Confidepco in this move,
to advance agricultural development,
has yearly grown and the work has
now passed its experimental stage. It
has become certainty, and Is grow
ing. and our local agents must grow
with 1t. the teachers must keep ahead
OF the pupil. Our best and most
learned men are the hardest students.
and We should, like Napoleon. be so
part OF our work. as to weep when
there are no more agricultural prob
lens to conquer.
Hence arrangements have been con-
rumated to take the local agents to
the Virginia Polytechnic institute for
special six weeks course In agricul-
ture this winter. beginning the middle
OF January. and lasting through FeD-
ruary.
The salaries of these men will be
paid as usual. and they will defray
their own expenses for transportation
and board at the college. The tut
ton Is furnished free Of charge by
the college.
Special attention will be given to
fruit trees, diseases and remedies
Then the agent can make a study of
the horticultural conditions of his
country. list OF every orchard will
be made, showing its size. varieties
and possibilities. Thl. information
will always be on hand The agent
can then visit each fruit grower and
give instruction where 1t IL needed,
as to planting. cultivating, spraying,
picking. packing and marketing.
The raising OF cattle, hogs. poultry,
etc, will be given attention.
Dairyfng will be gone into quite
extensively. milk testing. ETC. The
agent will be provided with a Bah
cock tester to take around the coun-
try with him In HIS buggy to test the
farmers cows and and out those tha,
are paying for their keep. For gem
eratSons people have been working
to support cattle when In reality the
cattle should contribute to their sup
port.
The mixing of fertilizers. improve
nent ct the soil. seed selecting, "a w-
Ing OF mixed grasses and alfalfa,
which Is TO be great factor In the
,nture DEVELOPMENT Of agriculture in
VIRGINIA will be given attention.
The outlook for 1918 In ver% an
couraxsng. Practically all Of the old
counties have come In again, to-
gether with number Of new coun-
ties The schools are taking VI the
work Frnorv and Henry college IL
rav'ng half the salary Of a demon
stration agent, who II paid by the
department In WASHINGTON and the
rtate for the oths- half 1t hi. time.
The same plan Is followed bv ~ . --.-s
cultural htsh schools at Burkeville,
Drivers. Hampton. and We are ci-
ooerat'n~ with the New London acad-
envy Of Bedford county.
IT has been demonstrated m aid
before. that the sgert 10 90 rer cent
IT tho work, therefore, II In very
~-renfisl that we have trained man.
THIS hrs been verv di~lcnlt TO do IN
eve-v 'rsfa-ce. particularly 80. a. the
work IN ,tiil IN it, infancy, hence We
h~i'ev~ tits short course in agriculture
At BlacF~hurg wtii. In . measure, over
onnne this We must not overlook
the fact that an pro~resvive move
merits have their drawbacks and that
time and experience will cure the
trouble.
T. o. SANDY,
Ffafs Agent the FArmArr
Cooperative Demonstration Work.