The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-08
Smith-Leyer Fund

The measure long discussed and widely known throughout the country as the Smith-Lever agricultural extension bill became a law May s, 1914. The official as- sent of the governor of Alabama was duly given to the Alabama Polytechnic institute as the proper beneficiary 2f the prov isions of this measure and this ac- ton was confirmed by joint resolution or the legislature of Alabama, approved Jan uary 29 1915. The title of the act reads as follows: An act to provide for co-opera- tive agricultural extension work letween agricultural colleges in the several states receiving the benefits of the act Of Con gress approved July 8, 1872, and of acts supplementary thereto and to the lnited States department of agriculture.
 The specific purpose of this worK Is set forth in section II of the act, as follows: .Co-operative agricultural extension work shall consist in the giving of instruction and practical demonstration in agriculture and home economies to persons not at- tending or resident in said colleges.
 The fund is administered by the Tinted States department of agriculture acting through the organizations of the colleges
 Statistics of Extension work
 The following statistics show the tremendous significance of the exten- sion movement: Girls Canning clubs or canized in 19 counties, enrollment' 2100; Boys Corn clubs, 67 counties, en- rollment, 3764; Four-crop club tor Ho- tation club, IA counties. enrollment' 497; Pig clubs. 26 counties, enroll lment' 25s9. This work Is superintended py Prof l.. N Duncan, superintendent Of Junior and home econmic exensions He has two expert assistants in home eco- nomics, Miss Madge J. Reese and Miss Nellie Happen. Miss Tappan Is located at the Girls Technical institute at Montevallo and the cooperation with that excellent institution has been most cordial and satisfactory Movable schools for whites have been organized in 19 counties, enrolment, 14.565.
 Farm Demonstration Work
 This work has been under the im- mediate supervision of MT. J. T. Watt, who was in charge of this highly im- portant department when merged with the college extension department un- der the terms of the Smith-Lever act Every county in the state Is organized under the most efficient demonstrator available.
 Cotton-Total number of demonstra- tions, 1896; total number of acres in demonstration, 15,1b1.2, average per acre, 1311.60 pounds.
 Corn--Total demonstrations POST; acreage. 14,739; average per acre, S4.l bushels
 Oats-Seven hundred and fourteen de demonstrations acreage, 12,06S; aver age per acre, 41.33 bushels
 The percentage of excess of production under demonstration methods over aver age production in Alabama Is about 155 per cent. This simple figure, in nut shell contains the story of the possi- bilities of our agricultural production under the best inspiration and guid- ance.
 Farmers Institutes
 This work is under the supervision of Dr. c. A. Cary. is conducted entirely at the expense of the "college fund" Full recognition to the pioneer work of Dr. Cary fin this field of agricultural exten- sion is at all times due. The propa- ganda of diversification is not a new one in Alabama, but for 30 years has been conducted most consistently by the college in it's farmers institutes. Throughout all this time the institution has preached. as 1t were, in an agri- cultural revival. the religion of int proved methods of farming better seed, better preparation and fertilization of soil. better cultivation, and, above all. more and better live stock of every va riety. During the year the following farmers institutes were held in places where the boil weevil has been found or In close proximity: G) Number of in- stitutes held in 1914, 34. (2) Total num- Der of sessions. 50. (3) Total attendance. 57s5. (4) Average attendance per ses- sion, 10s. t6) Number of counties vis- ited. 24.
 Summer School for FarmenYs The summer school for farmers was held at Auburn. August 1 to s, 1914. attendance, BIO. and every county of Alabama represented. The interest man.