The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-14
For Agricultural Progress.
Atlanta Journal.


Atlanta Journal.
The only enduring conquest" said
a French philosopher "are conquests
made with the plough" Certain it
is that the progress Of a State like
Georgia is very largely the progress
of its agricultural interests. Success
full farming means buoyant commerce,
thriving industries and all those val.
ues that make q prosperous common
wealth and a cOntented people. ANY
agency or institution, therefore, which
makes for the betterment of farming
methods and farm conditions in Geor-
gia deserves the heartiest good will
and support of every citizen whether
OF the town or the country. Such an
institution is the State College of Ag-
riculture at Athens
The important changes which the
past five years have witnessed in the
agricultural status Of Georgia-the
adoption of scientific and economic
me'nods of cultivation, the tendency
toward diversified crops and toward
larger production of food supplies
are due chiefly, we believe to the
efficient and far-reaching work of
this institution. this been well said
that the opportunity for such work
lay in the willingness of the Georgia
farmer to grow other crops than cot
ton, to raise live stock and foodstuffs
and to assert the measure OF inde-
pendence within his grasp. But in or
der that this receptive spirit might be
turned to practical account, it was
necessary that ii be given due en-
couragement in the right direction;
and therein has lain the wonderful
usefulness of the State College Of Ag-
riculture.
Statistics show that during the past
year more than one hundred and
twenty thousand Georgia farmers at
eNhNN' NhO iCNtuito anu ueIIlOIlSlId-
tions given by representatives Of the
College on new ways and better
ways Of farming-a fact which proves
that this institution is not only in
structing and inspiring the young men
Of it's immediate student body but Is
also bearing the light and the power
of education directly to the masses
Of farmers in every corner Of the
State. Equally significant Of it's work
and purpose are the Boys Corn Clubs,
the Girls Canning clubs, and the farm
demonstration agencies through
which thousands Of people are reach
ed and organized for their own bene-
fit and for the cause Of agricultural
progress.
In addition to all these lines Of
public endeavor, the College is con-
tinually issuing bulletins on subjects
of timely interest and is answering in
quiries for specific information on all
manner Of farm problems. In this
field alone the value of it's service Is
beyond reckoning.
What the College is doing for its
enrolled students is indicated in the
fact that it's attendance has increased
from a mere handful five years ago
to three hundred and fifty students in
the scholastic year now ending. 1t
has. indeed. established for this State
new ideal of agricultural education
and has eXemplified the truth that
farming demands of the young men
who would follow it as high a degree
OF culture and equipment as does
medicine, the law, engineering or
any other profession.
The state cannot deal too gener-
ously with an institution that is doing
work so splendid and so practical as
this. The Legislature should bear
in mind the fact that every dollar
appropriated to the College Of Ag-
riCulturc yields a vital return to all
the people of Georgia and that an in
Stitution which is growing so rapidly
as this one and which is meeting so
wide "a range of demands naturally
requires increased facilities and in
creased financial means.