The farm production of the South was less than that of other sections, and until this production could be increased, taxation, no matter how heavy, could not provide sufficient money for really efficient schools.

After a study of the whole field of agricultural education, the ideas of Dr.Knapp were adopted as the basis of the work and, by arrangement with the Department of Agriculture, Dr.Knapp himself was placed in charge.

The appropriations to the Department of Agriculture had been made for the extermination or circumvention of the boll weevil and could not be used for purely educational work in States where the weevil had not appeared.

A division of territory was now made: the Department financed demonstration work in those States affected by the pest and the General Education Board bore the expense in the other States.
Entire supervision of the work was in the hands of the Department of Agriculture, which made all appointments and disbursed all funds.

The Board furnished funds but assumed no authority.