The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-12

Special to The Richmond virginian.)
Blacksburs. Va. April 1.-THE
connection that the Virginia Poly
technic Institute has with the demon
stration work and what the college Is
trying 10 do through this work is not
very clearly understood in some sec
tons OF Virginia. and President Eg-
gieston is anxious that the farmers in
every co nty shall appreciate the de-
sire that the college has to serve the
agricultural interests Of the State and
the facilities 1t has for doing 90. As
one way Of accomplishing this, the
president gives out the following in
terview and outlines the plan of the
/ demonstration and extension service.
He SAYS:
The farmers cooperative demon
stration work il simply an effort to
carry the best that is known about
scientific agriculture to the farmers
! of this State
The efforts made by the axricui
tural colleges and experiment stations
TO have the farmers come TO the agri-
cultural colleges to get the knowledge.
or write for II. have been helpful to
! many farmers in the state but TO a
large majority these efforts have not
appealed. because few OF the farmers
have the time and money to go to an
agricultural college. and many of them
do not set the assistance from bull
ietins and correspondence that they
SO much desire.
| The demonstration work In an Of
fort to take all that is known about
agriculture to the farmer on his own
farm, and to give 1t to him through
the medium OF county agricultural
agent whom he can ask questions;
with whom he can discuss farm prob.
lens. and who can give him advice
on the spot
This work is financed by the United
States Department OF Agricultural. the
Agricultural and Mechanical College
OF Virginia. and the counties in which
demonstration agents are employed.
and Ii il meeting with good success
Throughout the State
Have Accumulated Fund
The experiment stations and the
agricultural colleges have accumu-
lated fairly good fund OF correct In
formation in regard to ali phases of
farming. 1t is the determination of
this college, which has had charge of
this work since last July to get all
this Information to the farmerA on
their own farms. That is. II the farm
ers desire II. as most of them do. OF
course, IL farmer does not wish this
advice, We make no effort to thrust IL
on him, but there 10 a very sincere de-
sire on the part OF this college to help
every man, woman. boy and girl in
Virginia, who desires to make q bet.
ter living on or out Of the land.
We have now In the State between
sixty and sixty Ave agents in AZ many
counties. These men are at the ser~
vice of any one in the counties whe
may wish their advice. In addition
to these, We have specialists in hog
cholera. fruit. poultry and live stock,
These men are also at the service of
those who desire their advice and
assistance. Their work IL entirely IN
the field, and 1t is their duty and
pleasure to visit the counties, TO meet
as many Of the farmers as possible,
and to solve any problems that may
confront them.
Our specialist In hog cholera not
only visits the counties and meets
groups OF farmers. 70 as to instruct
them about hog cholera, but he n
training the county agents to detect
this disease and to learn how to pre-.
vent and cure 1t.
Ready 70 Give Information.
Our feld agent In fruit culture 10
ready at all times to give advice In re-
gard to fruit, and to show those inter.
ested in fruit culture how to cultivate
their orchards: how to spray and
their crchars..
Our field agent in live stock gives
advice in regard to live stock. He 10
busily engaged In organizing breed
Ing associations and in giving advice
as to dAlrying. etc.
! An increased number OF farmers 10
asking for the advice of the agricul-
tural county agents and the special
lists, and the more work these agents
have to do tho happier we are. Ths
United States Government II putting
lup over nifty thousand dollars . year
for this work In Virginia. and We feel
that the farmers should get the benefit
Of this expenditure, ~ well a. Of all
that the collage 10 putting into the
work.
In conclusion lat me say that this
college cannot accomplish the impos-
sibls, but We are more than glad 70
Be Of help TO any one who II inter.
estsd In any phase II farming. LAAs
! the farmsrs eall npoa our assnts for
lhelp, ana ~ th1fu GIL npcn ~ -