The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1913-11-18
SECRETARY HOUSTON
Continued from page p

individuals, get TO thinking so much
about themselves that they forget the
people whom they serve and who
make them possible. | could point to
State after State department of agri-
culture is jealous of the State college
of agriculture and is buster watching
the advances of the State college than
it is with its job helping the people.
| could point to State after State
where the State college of agriculture
and the State university, created by
the same people and maintained for
the service of the same people, are
buster preventing extensions of one
another's activities than they are
with extensions of their own activi-
ties for the service of the people.
Neither is content to find out the Job
it can do best and to do it. 1t is
trying to prevent the other from do
ing job that it might do.
Where so much is to be done, waste
that comes from antagonism and du-
plication is criminal. The average
State college of agriculture can rem
der its community. through the sue
ceSsful operation of short courses, and
above all, through aggressive and &C
tive service to the adult farming pop
ulatlon. 1t is the greatest urgency
that all the agricultural agencies of
the nation shall put their heads to-
gether and coordinate their activi-
ties. Unquestionably in the past
there has been much useless duplica-
ton OF effort, no little waste of money
and energy, and no inconsiderable
amount of hostility and friction.
One of the most gratifying devel-
opments of recent years has been the
clear. recognition of the evils growing
out of lack of systematic planning
and coordination of effort and the
State colleges of agriculture, the Fed
eFal department, and Congress, are de-
termined to eliminate them
Secretary Houton then reviewed
briefly the many and varied activi-
ties of the Department, which he said
would astound those who consider it
an agency for the distribution of gar
den seeds.
Mr.. Houston continued:
RECOMMENDS DISCONTINUANCE
OF PRESENT SEED DIS
TRIBUTION.
You may be interested to know that
in the estimate just submitted to Con-
gross it has been recommended that
the distribution of ordinary vegetable
and flower seeds be discontinued and
that part of the 100000 heretofore
devoted to this purpose be used to
procure, propagate and distribute
among the people, new and valuable
seeds and plants. If Congress sees fit
in its wisdom to accept the recommen-
dation, particular attention will be CIV
en- to the securing and distribution of
new and valuable seeds and plants, in
GLIDING forage crop seeds, whose
character and quality will be thor
oughly known and tested; and pains
will be taken in every instance to see
that sufficient supply is sent to make
ii worth while for the individual far
mer to make an experiment
DEMONSTRATION WORK TO BE
EXTENDED.
Heretofore the work of the Depart
ment has lain chiefly in the field of
production, and even in this field it
has been conscious of limitations. The
chief difficulty has been to make it's
results known effectively to the great
mass of farmers who most needed the
knowledge. There can be little doubt
that the Federal department of agri-
culture and the various State colleges
and the best farmers have enough
knowledge to revolutionize the nation
if it could be conveyed to all farmers
and they could be induced to utilize, it.
Suppose what is known about hog
S;1lz t,oIl
vii, and other things could be made in
timately known to every farmer and
he could be induced to apply the rem
dy? Whit hideous waste could be
avoided
How to get this information to the
last man on the farm has been one OF
the most troublesome problems con-
fronting the Department. After many
years an effective method has at last
been devised The demonstration
plan has made its demonstration. The
old lesson that personal contact is of
the highest value has been taught.
A DECENTRALIZING PLAN.
1t is perfectly apparent that an ex-
tension of this demonstration work
will be made and a bill is now pend.
ing in Congress, known as the
Smith-Lever Agricultural Co-opera-
tive Extension Bill, which embodies
the main principles approved by eX'
perience. 1t will insure the closest
cooperation of the Federal Depart
ment and the State colleges; it will
make both of them think and plan; il
will stop haphazard enterprises; ii
will give each all the facts about the
activities of the other; it will guar
antee that nothing shall be undertake
en- until it has been carefully thought
out in advance. 1t will prevent 'du
plication' of effort and will remove
friction. 1t will insure the expendi
ture of the Federal funds for the pur
pose for which they were intended
1T will provide an automatic check
against the footing of the Federal
treasury by requiring an equal ap