Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-12


service rendered the state, and to the
United States department of agricul-
ture for the geenrouS and active CO.
operation it is giving the Georgia State
College of Agriculture practice of the
state on a basis commensurate win
the conditions which the boil weevil in
estation has imposed. The college has
also been fortunate in having the active
cooperation of the railroads, the Geor-
gia Bankers association, chambers OF
commerce, boards of trade, farmers or
gani2A tions, educators and leaders gem
orally throughout the length and
breadth of the state. The cordial ana
active support which all these interests
have accorded the work is responsible
in large measure for whatever of sue
cess may have been attained.
BY reason of the cooperation and
support thus secured. an agricultural
propaganda of statewide proportions
has been carried forward for several
years past 1t is an old and timely say
ing that "the proof of the pudding Is in
the eating" and that the business IN
terests of the state and the farmers
generally have evidenced their approval
of the work is shown by the fact that
about $500 has been contributed an
nually towards the payment of county
agents salarie.' and for use as prizes
and scholarships.
NEWSPAPERS AID.
In this connection il is a pleasure to
acknowledge the very patriotic and ag-
gressive attitude which the newspapers
of the state have taken TOWARDS this
work. They have been glad and willing
to publish articles of every description
and to aid in securing the wide distri-
button of circulars, bulletins and other
information published by both the coll
lege and the United States department
of agriculture. They have also actively
supported the county agent, and when
one stops and considers for a moment
the very laborious duties and response
bilities which devolve upon the agent,
he will better appreciate what a power
the support of the press has been to the
work.
Since there seems TO be a good deal
of confusion in the public mind with
reference TO the duties of the county
agent, it may not be inappropriate at
this time to outline them briefly.
1. The agent is expected to conduct
demonstrations with adult farmers in
all parts of the county in which he
works. These demonstrations usually
deal with the improvement of the soil
through the establishment of crop rota-
tions, the institution of better methods
of cultivation and fertilization, and the
maintenance of an adequate supply of
/ live stock.
2. Organizing and conducting corn
CLUBS, pig clubs, poultry clubs, canning
clubs and crop rotation clubs in coop
GRAFTON with the county board of educa-
ton, the county school superintendent
and the teachers of the county.
8. Aiding in all other movements
calculated to advance the agricultural
interests of the community and place
farm practice on safe and sane basis.
DAT h.
in 1915 the county agents had held APP
proximately $50 meetings attended by
47,65S persons. At these gatherings the
damage this pest was likely to do was
discussed and plans made to prepare for
its coming. Since it's arrival in the
fall of 1915. 566 meetings have been
held with an attendance Of 44,402 per-
sons. At these meetings a full dis
cussion of growing cotton under boil
weevil conditions has been made and
organizations of farmers perfected.
WORK OF AGENTS.
Some OF the work actually accomplish
ed for the farmers through the activities
of the agents is summarized as follows
27,49S farmers have planted forage
crops; 3S4 have planted alfalfa with an
acreage of 1912; 1,762 have planted Glow
ers with an acreage of 16,4S2. The es-
timated increased acreage in wheat has
been 16,90S and in oats, $3.50. There
mas also been a large increase in acre
age in peanuts and other legumes.
LABS farmers have been induced to in
crease their home orchards with a total
acreage of 14,116. 2,7SO farmers have
grown melons and truck crops on an ap~
proximRte acreage of 1900. Through
the agents influence 1894 home gar
dens, principally winter gardens, have
been improved. The following live
stock have been brought into the state:
Five hundred and forty-two pure bred
bulls of which 1862 were of the beef type
and $50 of the dairy type; SAT pure bred
cows and heifers; sc Jacks; rs stations
and 1862 sheep. The increase in the
production of hogs in 1916 over 1915
was 100000. The number of hogs treat
ed for cholera was $4,000; for lice, 3d.
112; and for worms, 16,O32. The number
of cattle treated for blackleg was 3,240.
There were 222 silos built; 500 farm
buildings erected from plans furnished;
152 home water systems installed; 191
lighting systems installed; 928 homes
screened; 1854 fly traps installed; ESQ
drainage systems established; $500 acres
drained; 1854 farmers induced to adopt
a rotation of crops; $4,000 acres in crop
rotations; 2,6240 acres in pasturage; 3D.
600 acres terraced; and 1906 acres
There were 5,032 demontrators growing
corn on 34,634 acres; LABS growing cot
ton on $500 acres; Is growing tobacco on
500 acres; 9S9 growing wheat on 6,512
acres; 1,466 growing oats on 1858
acres; $50 growing alfalfa on 1861
acres; 80 growing lespedeza on 81 acres;
1000 growing cowpeas on 7,341 acres;
$50 growing velvet beans on 1894 acres;
% growing soy beans on ST. acres; .543
growing potatoes on 1929 acres 1881
acres were planted to peanuts and co.
344 fruit trees planted. The agents
made 1850 visits to their demonstra-
/ tors and co-operators and Travelled $685.
919 miles. They held 1,036 meetings at
tended by 1O1, 500 persons.
! In this Connection it is important to re-
member that the above figures deal with
| the recent work of the agents and with
! their work only. The extension divi-
sion last year in all its departments held
/ 1857 meetings attended by 432,649 peo-
pie, and necessitating the representatives
of the college travelling SS3,475 miles
Since the extension work has begun in
Georgia S,S66 meetings have been held
with an attendance of 1,714,737, and our
workers have travelled during that period
1,252,S37 miles to carry information on
agricultural subjects into every part
of Georgia. During the same period L.
/ 1na FT-As