The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-12-10


fore the farm masses, but to secure
their active participation IN such de-
monstrations, to an extent that Will
prove that the average farmer can
do better work and will do it If pro-
perly approached. These demonstra-
tions must show that better and lar
Ger crops can be raised on the aver
ace farm. and at vastly greater net
profit per acre. Incidentally they
are designed to prove that there IS no
necessity for this widespread deter
ioration of the farms and the general
poverty Of the masses on the farms.
Like all great reforms, this demon
stratioa work can not be done tor
the people to be benefited, but 1t
must be done by them to be effective.
The sick man must take the proper
medicine to effect a cure; it Will not
do for his neighbor to take 1t tor
him.
The remedy for the farmers that
is, recommended by the department
embraces the following:
Better tillage of the soil .
Rotation Of crops and soil renova-
ton bv the use of legumes and VIM
ter cover crops (oats, wheat, etc.,:
The judicious use Of commercial
fertilizer.
Greater care in selecting and
planting seed. ,
The use Of more horse power ana
better machinery.
The raising Of more and better
stock.
Keeping an account of the cost Of
farm operations. =.
To this end the farmers eoopera-
tive demonstration work has been IN
augurated. One feature Of this
work should be especially noted. The
farmers in some Of the states have
thought that the work was done I'M
der instructions from Washington
and by persons who did not under
stand the soil Of the particular state
whose farmers were trying the meth
DDS of the department. This is not
correct, for. as matter Of fact, the
agents in the various districts have
studied the soil Of the state IN which
they are working.
Mr.. Jenkins, the agent for the
South Carolina district, is native
Of this state and graduated at Clem-
son college, and therefore is we'll
versed in the soil Of his native
state. -, He is thus able to give the
farmers the best possible work bas-
ed on his observations Of the soil
from this state at the capital and
also from actual experience here.
The two crops what will receive the
attention of the agent in the coun-
ties mentioned Will be cotton and
ccrn, for these aM the real crops Of
the state Of South Carolina. The
headquarters! Of Mr.. Jenkins will be
in Laurens and from this point he
will conduct the experiments.
The Demonstrations.
According to the plans of the de-
partment there will be about pO
demonstrators in each county where
the experiments are to be conducted.
The farmers Will be asked to lay
aside one acre or more Of their farm
for the purpose Of the demonstration
work. The demonstrators will act
under the sub-agents, who are ap-
pointed by the agent Of the district.
Sub-agents have been appointed al
ready in the counties Of Anderson,
Chester and Richland, and IN the
counties of Union, Chester and Fair
field the work has already been COM
menced.
For the work as indicated above
the agent locates the best farms
that he can get to have on them the
necessary one acre or more allow
ance and on these the demonstra-
tions are carried on. It IS generally
considered that the size Of the farm
makes no difference if the owner
can give supervision to the work un-
der direction Of the demonstration.
The department also recognizes the
fact that it will be best for the more
staple crops, such as corn and cot
l. ~ hn1