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Georgia’s Advancement In Agriculture
Andrew M. Soule, President Georgia State College of Agriculture.
The annual wealth production of Georgia farmers has increased at least
sloo,ubo,bod over that of a decade ago. Observe the record:
Farm Crops.
Value, 1910 Value, 1915 Increase
Corn $ 37,079,981.00 $ Oti.tUU.UOU.OO $29,520,019.00
Oats 4,230,625.00 11,970,000.00 7,733,375.00
Wheat 871,491.00 3,754,500.00 2,883,306.00
Hay 4,056,907.00 6,800,000.00 2,743,093.00
Cotton . .* . . . 126,695,612.00 150,000,000.00 23,304,388.00
New Crops 12,000,000.00 12,000,000.00
Total $172,940,619.00 $251,124,800.00 $78,154,181.00
, Live Stock
Cattle $14,060,955.00 $21,440,000.00 . $ 7,379,042.00
Horses 14,193,839.00 14,875,000.00 681,161.00
Mules 43,974,611.00 43,260,000.00 714,611.00
Swine 5,439,016.00 15,836,000.00 13,396,984.00
Sheep 308,212.00 375,000.00 66,788.00
$77,976,636.00 $98,786,000.00 $21,523,975.00
Let us remember in this connection what Henry Grady said in 1888 of
‘‘The South’s New Day.”
“When every farmer in the south shall eat bread from his own fields and
meat from his own pastures and disturbed by no creditor, and enslaved in
no debt, shall sit amid his teeming gardens, and orchards and vineyards,
and dairies, and barnyards, pitching his crops in his own wisdom and growing
them in independence, making cotton his clean surplus, and selling it in his
own time, and in his chosen market, and not at a master s bidding getting
his pay in cash and not in a receipted mortgage that discharges his debts,
but does not restore his freedom —then shall he be breaking the fullness of
our day.”
This prophecy would not be in process of fulfillment without, of course,
active, directing agencies working in cordial co-operation with farmers, the
press, industrial enterprises, trade's organizations, public officials and other
who may have contributed directly or indirectly to the cause.
With no desire to minimize any contribution but rather to render an ac
count of a stewardship, it will not be amiss, we hope, to here show in what
directions public funds placed at the disposal of the College of Agriculture,
have been used toward increasing the agricultural productiveness of the
state.
In 1906 the state of Georgia decided to establish a modern agricultural col
lege and appropriated funds for a central building and a worn-out farm, and
the work of construction and reconstruction began. Three things were
undertaken, (1) collegiate Instruction to develop leadership, (2) research that
new and definite data about Georgia agriculture might be obtained, (3) ex
tension teaching by which useful information might be placed in the hands
•of the farmers.
in developing leadership, approximately 3,000 students have been enrolled
in all courses in nine years. In acquiring and codifying agricultural know
ledge for Georgia conditions, the college utilizes courses of instruction, bul
letins, and an array of facts with definite application at the hands of extension
workers. Every worker in the college is looked to for practical contributions.
Laboratories are equipped with this end in view. Lessons of the college farm
are utilized. Soil surveys are being made throughout the state. Demonstra
tion plats are established on various soil types. Test farms in different
parts of the state are determining best varieties of cotton and cereals in
general to use in various sections of the state. Every reliable piece of in
formation is being verified and college workers are constantly putting the
facts in the hands of the farmers.
Reaching the Man in the Field.
Extension teaching has demonstrated its power, value and efficiency and
today is one of the mightiest constructive agencies ever brought to bear on
agriculture. During the last eight years, 5179 farmers schools, field, and mis
cellaneous meetings have been held in Georgia by the college of Agriculture.
These meetings have reached 1,282,088 persons, or about half of the population
of the state. More than 125 agricultural bulletins and circulars written in
plain English, have been distributed. A rural press plate service appearing
in over 150 papers reaches weekly a very large percentage of the farmers of
the state. The personal touch of county agents, club organizers and traveling
experts, affords, of course, a vast and effective relationship with the farmer.
Corn Club Results.
When the corn clubs were first organized in Georgia in 1909, the state raised
approximately 39,000,000 bushels of corn; in 1915, it harvested 66,600,000
bushels. For the decade previous to organizing these clubs, the average yield
of corn was 10.5 bushels per acre; it was 15 bushels in 1915.
There are now about 10,500 boys enrolled in the corn clubs. More than
30 made over 100 bushels per acre in 1915 at a cost less than 30 cents per
bushel. Ellsworth Watkins of Jackson, Ga., made the highest yield in 1915,
his acre having produced 166.7 bushels at a profit of $137.49. In 1915 theie
were 2210 boys to grow 95,030 bushels of corn on their acre patches at a cost
of 42 cents per bushel, making a profit of $55,117.40.
Four-crop clubs, pig clubs and poultry clubs have been organized on a more
limited scale and all are showing handsome profits.
Girls’ Clubs.
Nearly 4,000 girls are enrolled in girls’ olubs in Georgia at present. 1 hey
put up i,200,000 pounds of canned goods from their tenth acre patches the
past season, the value of which was $29,588.00. The average profit per tenth
acre was $15.05. Jennie Nichols of Floyd county holds the 1915 record she
having raised 5,460 pounds of tomatoes which when canned left her a net
profit of $88.50 from one-tenth of an acre.
Home Improvement Work.
The woman agents are giving atterttfcm to home improvement work. For
-example 300 fireless cooker and 2,000 canning demonstrations were made
in farm homes during the year 1915, and 450 fireless cookers and 125 iceless
refrigerators were built. These county agents, of course, also direct the dub
work among the girls.
County Agent*. Work.
Georgia is now employing 135 men and women agents, including ten state
and district agents. Work with men is being carried on In 85 counties and
with women in 50 counties. These agents are doing an organized work with
about 30.000 adults and children in rural districts.
In 1915 .adult demonstrators grew 15,105 acres of corn with an average yield
-of 40.1 bushels per acre; 6-396 acres of cotton with an average yield of 1315
pounds of seed cotton per acre; 7712 acres of oats with an average yietd of
54 bushels per acre. The county agents have assisted farmers during the
year to seed 2639 acres of clover, 4013 acres of wheat, 1085 acres of peaauts,
861 acres of rye, 3,000 acres of cowpeas, 126 acres of vetch, 759 awes of soy
beans and velvet, beans, 750 acres of hay crops, 10,402 acres of pasture, 10,-
353 gardens; mixed 62,200 tons of fertilizer; aided in pruning and spraying
4,115 acres of orchards; directed in stumping 50,920 acres, in terracing 2,350
acres, in draining 800 acres. They were responsible for the purchase of
$500,000 of improved farm machinery. Through their efforts 1,569 purebred
■eattl’e have been brought into the state last year. About 50,000 hogs have
been inoculated for hog cholera by agents; 182 farm buildings have been
erected under their direction; 262 silos and 619 dipping vats constructed;
water works and lighting systems have been installed in 350 homes and
telephones in 300. Farmers have been organized into 77 co-operative club*;
40 county school fairs have been promoted and 255 special meetings held.
The agents made 3,100 visits to schools in the interest of boys’ and girls
-club work during the year. All this in one year.
Funds With Which the Work is Done.
For training agricultural leaders; investigating, testing and collecting de
finite information applicable to Georgia conditions and for putting this in
formation in printed form and in the hands of its agents, the College of Ag
riculture has at its command $60,000. For the employment of county agents,
Jlistmict agents, organizers and traveling experts-m other words, for those
who are working out among the farmers of the state the college has at its
command from state and federal appropriations $40,000 from state extension
funds and $60,000 from federal and state Smith-Lever funds.
Federal Co-operation.
The I'nited States Department of Agriculture and ail of its bureaus now
h-ive all of their extension work in Georgia done through and in co-opera
tion with the College of Agriculture, so that there is no duplication, overlap
ping nor conflict between those extension agencies.
P m view of the record, is it not money and effort well spent?
The Winder News, Thursday,|April 27,191.
ijk IFp We are the
only store in
town that sells
the famous
' JJ / suit whose price
is never raised.
A ..A
x ill Pfy Clothes....fJ! I MkU
*astL*ll7 llf i ~ J "Thr seme price the nation over* 0
I Yes, the price is sl7 this
: t season just the same as in
f copyright. i9i6. by the past.
Henry Svnacborn & Cos, In*
The fabrics are ail wool —
and guaranteed as usual.
The workmanship is just as fine. The style is by
the same well-known fashion artist. The makers
discount war and other temporary conditions. Vol
ume buying and manufacturing both are centered
on this suit that always sells for sl7. Better come
and see Styleplus—and get to know our way.
J, T. Strange Cos.
Ol) 6Th 11 and Roadster $67J>
Five Passenger Touring Car
The Most Popular Overland
There is already an enormous demand for this big
four cylinder Overland.
With certain improvements, it is the same car of
which 55,000 Overlands were sold last season for $750.
The price is $55 less.
Standardization of product and the purchase of raw
materials at before-the-war prices, made this reduc
tion in price passible.
It will be lower, for materials are rising in price.
So order your Overland now, to make sure to get it.
Enbloc 35 horsepower motor Demountable rims, with one extra
Electric starting and lighting system 106-inch wheel base
Electric control buttons on steering column Deep divan upholstery
Four inch tires ° ne man to P> to P cover
Summerour Bros
Agents
Winder, Georgia.