The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-02-15
REMAIN ESTATE GIVES GREAT
STOCK FARM TO WEST VIRGINIA

III WlOI WIIuIIVIH
S~~e>.~s~-~N~~-e-~S~rse
and endeavor, and therefore would
bring sooner to a larger number OF
people of West Virginia the benefits
and advantages which Mr.. Reymann
sought to secure for them. and in the
course of time the Ayrshire COW, be-
ing more extensively developed and
finding ner way throughout all parts
Of the state, West Virginia would
come to be known as the home of the
Ayrshire in this country, and also Of
even greater Importance would be
the fact that through the operation
OF these farms under the control and
scientific management OF the Expert
ment Station, the value oil improved
methods OF agriculture would be i'm
mediately reflected on large neigh
boring settion of fertile land, and I'LL
timately through agricultural stu
dents, who would secure practical en-
perience on these farme. the benefits
Of these matters would be extended
into every county of the state.
College of Agriculture and Its Work.
The College OF Agriculture of West
Virginia University consists OF three
great divisions-the Experiment Sta
ton, the Division of Resident Instruc-
ton and the Extension Service. It is
the business of the Division of Resi-
dent Instruction to train leaders. Ten
years ago there were only students
in this work; five years ago the num-
Der had increased to AZ; now there
are nearly 200, or five times as many
as five years ago. Ten years ago there
were only 80 at the winter confer
ence for farmers; five years ago
there were only 81; this year there
were GA. In other words the work
of this division is growing by leaps
and bounds.
1t is the task of the Extension Di-
vision to employ these trained lead
ers and carry the instruction in agri-
culture out to the farmers and their
wives, their sons and their daughters.
Ten years ago little or no work of
this character had been done. The
nearest approach was limited
amount OF institute work carried on
by the State Board of Agriculture.
Now the system OF county agriculture
al agents is fully organized with
agents in 81 of the 80 counties; now
the system of boys clubs is as we'll
developed; the organization OF extern
sion schools of agriculture and far
mers' institutes is rapidly extending,
correspondence courses are offered
end specialists are at the cali of he
farmers, with wonderful results.
The EXr eriment Station, the recip-
lent OF this gift, is maintained Jointly
by the State of West Virginia ard the
Federal Government, for the purpose
Of studying agricultural problems to
the end that agricultural methods
1aay be improved, thus bringing
about an increased production of the
land and an improvement in the quail
ity Of agricultural products. This
work is OF importance to all classes
Of people, as everyone is directly or
indirectly concerned in the produc-
ton or consumption of agricultural
products. Experiments are conduct
ed with reference to the correct
methods of producing plants ana ami
mails, how to fertilize the soil and
maintain it in a high condition of
productiveness, how to select the
right varieties so as to get The larg-
est possible yields, how to breed ami.
mails and plants so as to nuke these
animals and plants Of the greatest
possible service to man, and this do
nation will very materially increase
the facilities for carrying on inYesti-
cations with reference to the produc-
tion Of dairy products, the study of
problems in the breeding of dairy an
finals and in the handling of agricul-
tural lands. The Extension Division
carries the results of the Experiment
Station to the farmers.
This is the second very important
gift to the Experiment Station within
two years. About one year ago Mo-
mongolia County, in which the central
Offices and laboratories of the Exper-
iment Station are located, presented
the University with about coo acres
Of as good farm land as there is in
the county together with improve
ments) valued at about SIS, 900, for
the use OF the College of Agriculture.
especially the Experiment Station.
These two gifts combined would sell
on the open market for at least
100000, thus giving the EXperi-
ment Station and the College of Agri-
culture as large and as efficient u
plant as any similar institution in the
United States. With the completion
Of the new range OF greenhouses and
agricultural buildings to be CON
structed during the summer of 1917
(already partly provide for by an ap.
preparation Of 100000 by the last
regular session of the legislature), it
will not be unreasonable TO claim that
the agricultural interests of West
Virginia will be provided for in such
a way as to make possible as wonder
full a development as has been made
by any state in the United States or
of such European countries as Den
mark. Holland, Ireland, and Switzer-
land in recent years. In order to
bring this about continued support
by special friends of the work as wen
as by all of the people Of .ne state,
especially the rural population. ID
needed.
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