The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1912-02-28
SOUTHERN RY. ACTIVE
IN AGRICULTURAL WORK
Co.operates With State and Federal
Authorities and Has Its own Hor-
ticuIturaI, Live Stock and
Dairy Agents.


Today the greatest attention is paid
to the development of the agricultu-
raj resources. This development must
be largely through the efforts Of the
people already on the farms and resi-
dent in the states of this section. The
homeseekers from the North and from
Europe will aid by their work and
their practical experience, but it is
through better farm education and
better farming and the improvement
of farm conditions that the best and
widest development will result.
To the efforts of the United States
anG State apartment Of Agriculture,
the college of agriculture and the ex-
pertinent stations, the Southern Rail-
way is giving the best cooperation it
can. Through President Finley and
through the Land and Industrial De-
partment it is helping to circulate
the bulletins and other publications
of the Agricultural Departments which
are of special value to the Southern
farmer. A few years ago when it
was decided by the United States De-
partment Of Agriculture to operate
model farms in different parts of the
country the Southern secured the To-
cation of many of these farms in its
territory and the farms so located
have been of great value in improved
farm methods in many communities.
To the United States farm demonstra.
ton work in the South the same CO.
operation has been given, and today
the Southern's own agricultural
agents are working in cooperation
with the agents of the farm demon
gtration bureau. A few months be.
fore his death the Land and Indus
trial Department arranged with the
late DR.. S. A. Knapp for series OF
dozen addresses in the South in which
he discussed, in the most comprehen-
siye manner ever undertaken, the spe-
cial needs and opportunities OF the
Southeastern farmer. These addresses
brought about greatly increased inter-
est in farm improvements and more
profitable farming throughout the
territory.
The company Is in constant coop
Grafton with the various state depart
ments Of agriculture, enlisting their
help for the farmers of particular dis
tricts. making use of their inVestiga-
tions and securing their suggestions
in the introduction of new crops or
the development of special lines OF
agriculture in various communities
and. wherever possible, aiding these
departments to make their work more
efficient.
Special agricultural and horticultu-
raj agents are maintained by the
Southern Railway to study the agri-
cultural possibilities, to do direct work
with farmers in giving instructions,
where desired, regarding improved
methods of farming and crop diversih-
cation and working for new lines OF
farm development. Cooperation is
given fruit growers in the packing
of fruit for shipment and in marketing
it.
The development Of the live stock
industry is given special attention.
President Finley has personally given
much time to the circulation of liter
ature calling attention to the loss to
the Southeast from the cattle tick in
the infected districts and to the prac-
teal work of eliminating the tick. A
dairy agent, under the Land and In
dustrial Department, is at work to
develop the dairy interests, and his
work is doing much for this industry.
4 live stock agent, under the Freight
Traffic Department, assists the farm
er in his shipments, in developing
markets for his stock and In other
ways of advancing this industry.
The Southern Railway System is
co.oneratine with the state agricultu.'
raj authorities In running institute
and other special trains. A dozen
trains have been run in a single year.
The work Of these trains is carefully
followed up.
From time to time pamphlets, leaf
lets and circular letters are printed
for the benefit OF the Southeastern
farmer. ..