Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-10-20


lanaIyzed soils and determined the plant
food contained, and learned how to
make il available. They ascertained de-
fects of the soil and how TO remove
ltnem. They worked out Improvement
in seeds and found the way to resist
plant diseases. They tested stock, cat
IL. and hog foods and diseases.
But nearly all of this work was that
lcf investigation and experimentation. In
formation of great value to the rural in
ltcrests OF the country was secured, but
a very small sum was devoted TO show
ling those at work upon the farms how
TO apply this information. The great
work OF carrying promptly to the farm
ers the knowledge acquired In the col
lleges of agriculture and the experiment
stations and the agricultural depart
lntent had not been accomplished.
For a number of years the presi-
dents of the agricultural colleges and
experiment stations have been clamor-
ing for rational aid and direction for
/ farm demonstration work. They re-
Ialized the necessity of employing skilled
i men who. at the home of the farmer,
" ould by instruction and demonstration
4 give to the great body OF those engaged
lin farm work the knowledge gathered
at the agricultural colleges and expert
lment stations. and by the national de-
lpartment of agriculture, but funds were
lacking.
BILLS were introduced time and again
upon this subject during the past ten
years. The country is to be congratu-
lated that at last. on May 8, 1914, the
i president of the United States had an
} opportunity to approve a carefully pre-
I pared act by which the national govern
ment, cooperating with the states, viii
carry the work of the agricultural col
lIeges and experiment stations TO the
farmers at their homes, and farm
demonstration work in many of the
counties in every state OF the union is
now being conducted under this act
THE benefit to be derived from this
work is not a matter Of experiment. For
more than twenty-five years ii has been
in successful operation throughout
Europe. Especially in Germany have
the travelling men and women teachers
gone among the people to give them at
their homes the benefit of all that
scientific investigation, backed by lib
eral government appropriations, could.
acquire in the shape of accurate knowl-
edge pertaining to the soil and to plant
life. and to household economics. 1t is
| estimated that the average product of
the soil has been increased in European
countries so per cent as a result of this
class of work. In Belgium the increase
in production attributable to this work
was estimated at so per cent in Ger
many even more, and at the same time
the cost of production was lessened.
ITO improve the soil and to increase
| its productiveness is a national neces-
sity. The appropriation will reach it's
high mark in 1923, when from the ma
| tional treasury and state contributions
every county in every state in the union
should have a thoroughly trained farm
leader carrying all the benefits Of the
college of agriculture and the expert
ment station to every farm in the
union.
But your national legislature has
realized within the past few years that
the farmer has an additional problem
besides that Of producing his crop. 1t
must be marketed in a way to bring the
best return and to carry to the con-
sumner the crop in the best shape.
CREATED MARKET DIVISION.
Having this in view. three years ago
we created in a small way a market
division in the agricultural department
by which 1t was intended TO work out a
plan to furnish to the farmer the best
information about preparing his crop
for market, and about placing IL in the
| best market. This limited work proved
a success, and for the coming year we
will spend nearly million dollars
through the market division of the agri-
cultural department to bring the pro-
ducers closer TO the consumer. and this
work is rapidly growing into one of
great service to the entire country. The
division of markets has been provided
by our last appropriation with means
to cooperate with the department OF
agriculture in the respective states, as
well as to conduct its Independent work.
Each year its beneficial effects will be
more and more realized. 1 rejoice that
| legislation has been enacted by which
the work was successfully begun.
| During the past few years the par
cells post has been developed. While il is
believed this mode of transportation will
serve all the people. ii is especially in
| tended to facilitate sales Of small farm
products and saving to farmers in the
delivery at their homes of required pur-
chases made by them. Our people are
| learning how to use the parcel post bet
| ter and better. 1t will prove profitable
| to the farmer, and at the same time a
saving to the consumer.
| "One of the greatest drawbacks to
farm life has been it's isolation. Good
roads are essential to the DEVELOPMENT
of agriculture for transportation to re-
tail centers, and for communicat ton
among the population. Our nation has
been backward in this great work. No
nation of real progress has neglected it
| except our own. 1t is a source OF great
| qualification TO me that present con-
/ gress has appropriated 5000, 900 to be
spent in cooperation with the states
during the next three years for good
roads.
ONLY THE BEGINNING.
This is but the beginning. II will be
| easier TO continue than it was to start
and the scheme of the act does not in
volve simply the construction of great
national highways, but the development
generally of better roads in the local
communities accessible to the farmers.
II come now to another great problem:
Farm credits. The farmer needs three
kinds of credit. First, credit with which
to purchase ana improve his land. Sec
ond. credit with which to raise his CROP
Third, credit with which to hold ana
properly sell his crop when as the crop
is being harvested, he becomes a mer.
chant
II congratulate the country that steps
| nave ben taken 10 meet these three great
needs of the farmer. The first legisla-
Il tion was through the federal reserve
| banking system. / shall not discuss this
! Legislation, the one of more value to the
people of the entire country, than any en-
acted during the past half century. For
/ the first time we have a banking system
/ by which credits can be broadened TO
! meet the necessities of business. and
( financial panics averted.
a special provision was made in this