The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-07-02
THE AGRICULTURAL
DEMONSTRATION TRAIN
By 7. F. Peck, Commissioner OF
Agriculture.

The good accomplished by the agri
cultural demonstration trains in 1911
and 1912, and the repeated inquiries
coming from all over the state from
farmers wanting to know if the traiI
would be run this year, has prompted
| the department of agriculture, with
the railroads, to plan for a better
equipped train than has ever beer
run for the same purpose, and oper-
ate it continuously from July Is tC
September Is of this year. The train
will run over $500 miles, will make
over 300 stops, and will carry exhibits
and demonstrations helpful to every
phase of human life.
The train is made possible by the
broad progressive policy of the rail
roads operating in the state, because
the roads furnish the cars, engines
and train crews to operate the train
without one cent of cost to the tax
payers OF the state. The state depart
ments of agriculture, education and
health furnish the exhibits, demon
strations and lecturers, and the latter
who are employed by the year, in
stead of spending the hot months at
a summer resort, are going to put in
the time making a tour of the state to
take to the farmers helpful exhibits,
demonstrations and lectures on prob
lens confronting them, the proper So
Inf of 1uh oh will ira 4
fertility for their land, increased pro-
1uction of farm crops and live stock,
more comforts and luXuries, better
schools and churches, better health
and better living in every way.
Sometimes people get the notion in
their heads that the operation of such
a train would mean additional taxes
On the farmers, but they can rest as
sured that the agricultural train will
not increase their taxes one penny. II
is operated at time when they have
most leisure.
They can see on the train what
many of them would not have an op-
portunity to see elsewhere. They
will see the best breeds of sheep and
hogs, also the best poultry. They will
learn about the silo; how to build it
and how to fill it and to feed ensilage.
They will learn about agricultural
lime for sweetening their soils, and
how to grow clover. They will learn
about winter conver crops. They can
see the most practical in dairy equip
ment. They can learn about the care
Of the orchard, spraying and pruning
trees, and about marketing fruit and
vegetables; about the honey bee
how to keep it with pleasure and
profit. They can see exemplified the
progress made for rural education
They can learn how to prevent dis
ease by using preventative measures.
The farmers wives can learn about
domestic science and home economics
and what is being done to make home
life on the farm more comfortable
and attractive.
No one can visit the train and see
and hear what is there for them with
out profit. We all know that we can
not cling to the obsolete methods of
The past and succeed We must ad-
Just ourselves to present day condi-
tions or lose out. We can adjust our
selves if we will. The agricultural
train is planned to offer helpful sug-
gestions that can be put in practice.
Do not miss the opportunity, If you
are succeeding and have something
good that you would like for ohter
sections of the state to see, have it |
ready when the train comes and it |
will be placed on exhibition.
Those having the movement in |
charge will leave nothing undone to
make the tour of the train a success.
You can help by getting everybody to
yisit the train when it comes to visit
'our section. The dates will be pub
ished often so everybody can be
'eady to take day off and profit by
he opportunity.