The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-07-17
TALKS TO FARMERS,

BY T. 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 il the train
would be run this year, has prompted
the Department OF Agriculture, with the
railroads, to plan for better equipped
train than has ever been run for the
same purpose, and operate it continu-
ously from July Is to September Is Of
this year. The train will run over 6, 500
miles, will make over 800 stops, and
will carry exhibits and demonstrations
helpful to every phase Of rural life.
The train is made possible by the
broad progressive policy OF the railroads
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 taxpayers Of the State. The
State Departments of Agriculture, Edu-
cation and Health furnish the exhibits,
demonstrations and lecturers, and the
latter, who are employed by the year,
instead OF spending the hot months at
summer resort, are going to put in
the time making tour OF the State to
take to the farmers helpful exhibits,
demonstration and lectures on prob
lens confronting them, the proper solu
ton OF which will mean increased ferl
tility for their land, increased produc-
ton 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 into
their heads that the operation Of such
train would mean additional taxes on
the farmer, but they can rest assured
that the agricultural train win not in
crease their taxes one penny. 1t is OPP
Grated at time when they have most
leisure.
They can see on the train what many
of them would not have an opportunity
to see otherwise. They will see the finest
type OF beef cattle and dairy cattle.
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 cover crops. They can see the
most practical in dairy equipment. 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 ex-
the progress made for rural
education. They can learn how to pre-
vent disease by using preventive meas
ures.
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
more 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 adjust our
selves to present day conditions or lose
out. We can adjust ourselves il we
will. The agricultural train is planned
to offer helpful suggestions that can be
put in practice. DO not miss the OPP
portunity. II you are succeeding and
have something good that you would
like for other sections Of the State to
see, have il ready when the train comes
and il will be placed on exhibition.
Those having the movement ia charge