University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1912-03-24
MANY QUESTIONS OF
AGRICULTURAL MEN
Secretaries of Board of Agri-
culture Spend Much Time
on Replies.
MANY SEEK THE BULLETINS
Organization Works for the
Betterment of Missouri
Farmers.
MANY SEEK THE BULLETINS

appointed by the governor.
The duties of this board are num-
erous. First it must have head
quarters. which are now located in
the Agricultural Building where the
board can also cooperate with the
At the head of this work is a secre-
+ chosen by the board. The
present secretary is T. c. Wilson, a
practical Missouri farmer and an
alumnus of the University of Mis-
souri,. The members also choose an
assistant secretary, who now is w.
l.. Nelson.
These men have a large variety
of work to do. About 10000 ques-
tions in regard to farming come into
the office yearly. Those of a tech
nical nature are turned Over to the
College of Agriculture and are ans
wered by the instructors. Others of
a general nature are answered by the
secretary or his assistant.
A st. Louis MAI once sent in a re-
quest for the state TO back him in
raising ginseng. He thought he had
the promise of a fortune and that the
state would lose a big chance if his
offer was o accepted. A German
farmer from a remote part of the
state will write for information as
10 the best crop for his twO-acre
patch. A s~iXteen-year old boy will
send in his letter telling of how he
fattened three Berkshire shOats and
ask for information on hog raising.
To answer the request of the country
boy is easy. The secretary has a bull
letin on hog raising or a similar SUBJ
lect. which he can mail to the as
piring young farmer. The name of
the youthful inquirer is placed on a
list so that future bulletins on that
subject can be sent him.
Answering Questions Not All.
But the giving of information is
not all of the work of the board. The
sixteen members are ever on the
watch for something which will aid
the farmers and improve Missouri.
The office of the board is in realty a
clearing house for agricultural
ideas. many of which are put in
practice. Under its direction the
State Highway Engineer. Curtis Hill,
looks after the roads of Missouri.
During the last year the selection of
a Cross State Highway was made by
the board.
The mich COWS of the state are
looked after by a representative of
the board. He is the state vetinary
sergeon DR.. S. Sheldon, of Columbia.
He makes inspection trips, condemns
the tubercular cows and aids in
checking contagious diseases among
cattle. An apiary inspector is also
under the direction of the board. He
is NJ. E. Darby, of Springfield. His
duty is TO inspect geese and to look
after matters relating to the thriv-
ing of the honey making industry in
the state.
Many Institutes Provided.
The farmers institutes are the
most effective way of carrying on
work for increasing the crop yield
and making country life more at
rractive. Two institute lecturers are
provided by the board. They are s.
II. Jordan. the Missouri Corn Man,
and j. Kelly Wright who makes
practical talks at almost every coun-
" fair in the state. They educate
the farmers who have never had a
nance TO attend a college where the
theory and science of agriculture are
taught. In addition to this the board
holds Farmers Week here every
wear. when visitors from all parts OF
the state gather to attend lectures on
agriculture subjects and to see the
exhibits of farm products.
The best displays win prizes.
One kind is composed of scholar
ships to young men to attend the Col
lege Of Agriculture. The women
have a place on the program. Dur
ing the institute work a woman Is
sent out to instruct the farm women
This wear a trophy cup was gwen os
the board to the boy who raised the
hos, TON aars of corn. The same cup
will go TO the winner next year. Inc
secretary is now e~ndeavoring to PRO-
vide a prize for the best nam anu
bacon display. His idea is 10 stihiu-
late the home curing of meat so that
homemade hams and gravy will be-
come a noted part of Missouri farm
life.