Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1912 — Agricultural Exhibit Car [ARTICLE]

Agricultural Exhibit Car

Purdue University Agricultural Extension

Another great step is about to be taken in the spreading of agricultural knowledge among the farmers of Indiana. Commencing January 25, an educational exhibit car will be operated over the New York Central lines in Indiana, in charge of two men well qualified to give information regarding the several lines of agricultural endeavor being carried on at Purdue University’s School of Agriculture and Experiment Station, and during the ensuing four months every town and village where farmers desire to Inspect the exhibit and hear experts describe the proper methods of maintaining the reputation of Indiana as a farming state, will be reached. The work is but another phase of the educational campaign of the Purdue agricultural extension department Professor Christie secured the exhibit car through the courtesy of John Emig- Industrial agent of the Big Four railroad, who devoted much time to the preparation ot a suitable schedule. It is planned to have the train make stops of from three to five hours each. Educational trains have been operated over the New York Central lines In Indiana during the last few years, and these have proven of inestimable value to ths farmers of the state. They have shown the futility of leaving Indiana when such splendid opportunities lie right at the very door of every farm home, if proper methods of cultivation are pursued. We confidently believe that the.generosity of the New York Central people in aid. ing in this work will do much to continue the era of agricultural prosperity bn which the state has Just « n ’ tered. 7 The schedule for the train will be announced in a few days by the industrial department of the railroad, which Is actively preparing publicity matter regarding the train, in an effort to arouse a substantial interest among the farmers, and insure large attendances at each point visited by the exhibit.

The extension department at Purdue is also buayyaparingHtcratureto be given out from the train, and will spare no efforts in making the trip the most successful of its kind ever attempted in the United States. The idea is a comparatively new one in agricultural educational work. It has been tried with splendid {success in the southern states by various state boards of health, whose exhibits, telling a valuable story more simply than could any lecturer hope to carry his point, have resulted in an awakening to the great need for proper attention to such affairs. “It works for boards of health," commented Professor Christie. "We know it will do even more efficient work for our cause here in Indiana, if the farmer is willing to take Ms problems at an appointed time and bring them before the agricultural experts who will be in charge of the big car.”