Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-13

satisfactory mannerg Some one says the
practical farmer, but the practical farm
er is always a man of education, al
though he may have acquired much OF
his knowledge in the bitter and costly
school OF experience.
Z It Is unfair to expect too much Of the
recent college graduate in agricultural
science. for he is a young and inexpe-
rienced man. There is no reason why
we should look for perfection in him
any more than in the young lawyer or
the young doctor. who generally re-
quire a period Of ten years in which to
establish themselves and TO acquire the
knowledge OF humanity on which their
later success in life is built. Few young
men who graduate in engineering or in
other technical courses are permitted to
assume great responsibility at first. but
Il is interesting. to see how fast they
develop as the years go by and finally
become the leaders in their profession
Similarly. the men who have graduated
from our agricultural colleges are now
beginning to lead and redirect our agri-
culture in a highly gratifying manner
The task is a tremendous one and the
work has only begun. The agricultural
college in Georgia, for instance, is but
I'VE years old. but during that time Il
has sent out a number Of young men
who have already begun to make an inn
press on the state
One OF these young men is in charge
Of the interests OF the American Coal
Products company in the southern states;
anothtr is associated with the agricul-
tural development of one Of our prin-
cipal railroads. a third is supervising the
breeding experiments in progress on a
large seed farm: a fourth is professor
Of in % ,tfr s,-Fe - In
situations; a fifth Is superintendent OF
a large plantation in south Georgia; a
sixth IS superintendent OF a large stock
farm This list might be enlarged very
materially. but the occupations of only
few have been given 70 illustrate first
of all the highly responsible positions
these men are occupying, the fact that
they are making good In variety of
positions. and that their services have
proven acceptable to those employing
them
II is to be hoped that this brief sum-
mary or what an agricultural course
may include and is intended to repre-
sent may convey to our readers the
ideas which they desire to obtain and
about which there seems to be much
difference Of opinion at the present
time. IL is passing strange to one who
has been associated with agricultural
work in the south for a period OF nine
teen years that more young men do not
pursue applied courses in agricultural
science We have received requests re-
Gently TO send men to South Africa. to
South America and to various states
in the union. We are quite unable to
supply the demand for trained experts
70 serve in the various local agricul-
tural schools and colleges or to super
wise and direct our Georgia farms ana
plantations. 9 It is indeed surprising
that the opportunity for advancement
and for service OF most interesting
and desirable nature should have been
so completely overlooked. The crush
in the so-called professions has re-
suited in overcrowding them so that
now only a few Of the most capable
men rise 20 the top and make good
From that 1t should not be inferred that
every one should pursue courses in ag-
ricultural science. The man who is not
imbued with the missionary spirit and
who does not love nature and out-of-
doors, and who is afraid OF getting his
hands >soiled has no business in an ag-
ricultural college; but 70 the man who
longs for service and for opportunity,
the field opens up liuftless. possibilities.