Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-21

The second great problem attacked DN
the college was the attempt to acquire
and cOdify. through research and dem
onstration. a body of scientific and prac-
tical knowledge on which TO predicate
III course of instruction; % TO tur-
nish the basic data on which TO prepare
a large and varied assortment OF educa-
tional and information bulletins; CD
to provide the workers in the extension
service with that array of concrete
facts CAPABLE of definite application
which alone gives them the convincing
power which they must possess in order
TO make their efforts fruitful in results.
To this end every worker associated
with the college has been urged TO de-
velop within his department as much
research work as he could possibly carry
on with any hope of success. The
department laboratories have been
equipped with this end in view. A
large demonstration field was organized
in the very beginning for the purpose
of discovering and celebrating funda-
mental facts. and has been literally
supported ever since. The college farm
has been made a very fountain OF
knowledge.
In 1909 the first state appropriation
for extension teaching was obtained,
making Georgia one of the pioneers in
this movement. Part of this money was
used to establish physical and chemical
soil surveys for obvious reasons DEM
onstration plats were started on a num-
Der of the more important and clearly
defined soil types. Test farms were
located at strategic points to determine
the merits of new strains of cotton
and cereals developed in the demonstra-
ton field with the idea of extending
the area in which cereals can be sue
cessfully cultivated, and improving the
type and yield of corn. cotton and other
farm crops as we'll This work has fur
nished the ammunition to provide guns
Of large caliber with a constant supply
Of essential information. and to keep up
that spray of destructive fire against in
difference and occasional prejudice which
alone enables an agricultural college to
carry conviction into the hearts of its
constituents, to sweep aside superstition
and error. and to enlarge the boundaries
OF the farmers faith in science as re-
lated TO the solution of the problems of
his vocation.
Thus the first and second line of en-
trenchments have been carried by storm
and won, and now the college faces one
Of the most difficult situations in it's
history, for having created desire for
organic knowledge, how shall il with
out doubling, YES. even quadrupiing its
efforts along research lines feed the
voracious appetite which the public evil
dences and believes correctly that the
college should be in position to satiate?
The solution is in the hands of the law
makers. Do they realize the urgency
for action? Do they appreciate the ma
tional issues involved?
REACHING THE MAN IN THE FIELD.
And now we come to the considera-
ton Of the third line of effort which
Was early established and which mas
been assiduously fostered and promoted
from the very beginning-Lhat IF extern
sion teaching. Was this necessary or
essential? Both questions may be an
swered in the affirmative. Has it been
successful? Public sentiment may be
taken as a safe criterion in this matter,
and in that event. the answer would
he yes. Agricultural statistics are even
more illuminating and positive i'm the re-
suits they portray. Therefore, it may
he concluded that extension teaching has
demonstrated its power, value and eff
fciency, and constitutes today. when
properly sustained and directed. one OF
the mightiest constructive agencies
which has ever been brought 10 the aid.
conservation and redirection of our
agriculture.
In the last eight years 5.1I9 extension
schools. field and miscellaneous meet
ings have been hell through the influ-
ence of our extension department, in CO.
operation with railroads boards Of trade,
chambers of commerce, farmers organi-
cations, boards of education, fair asso-
Citations, women's clubs, churches,
schools and individuals. In all, 1,2S2,08S
persons. ting attendance on the
number of sessions held. have been
reached.
EXTENSION ATTENDANCE SUM