The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-12-10
SOIL DEMONSTRATION
BY THE GOVERNMENT
Important Work to be Done in this
State Under the Supervision of
Experienced Students Of
Soil Conditions.I

possibilities of the Southern soil
and especially that of South Caro-
lima is shown by the various expert
ments that are to be conducted i'll
this state by its agents. The bureau
of plant industry, through the agent
in charge, Dr. A. A. Knapp, has or
ganized farmers cooperative dem
onstration work to be con- lucted in
certain states Of the union. The ac-
tual work is conducted by agents
who have their respective terrific
ries to supervise.
Mr. J. M. Jenkins, state agent for
South Carolina, was in the city yes
tcrday to consult with Mr.. l.. G..
Cnappell of Lykesland, who is the
sub-agent for this county. The OBJ
iect Of the visit Of Mr.. Jenkins is
to get the farmers interested in the
work and to have them prepare the
land for the purposes Of the expert
ments that are to be tried in the
spring. The work 'that is to be done
is hot exactly an experiment, how
ever, for the real experimenting
was done in Washington under the
supervision of the experts Of the de-
partment Of agriculture and that
which was there accomplished will
be put into actual test on the land
Of the farmers who will agree to set
aside an acre or so of their land for
the purpose. Thus far Mr.. jenkins
has met with nothing except encour-
agemcnt from the farmers and all
of them are anxious TO cooperate
with him aad the department which
he represents.
The counties that the agent is su-
pervising in this state are as fol-
lows: Grecnville, Anderson, Lanr-
ems, Richland, Chester. Fairfield,
Ncwberry and Union. Already sub.
agents have been appointed in the
counties of Richland, Anderson and
Fairfield and the work is well under
way in these counties. Tn order that
the public may understand the van
ious terms used in connection with
the work the officers are here cX-
planned:
A field agent is special agent Of
the United States department Of
agriculture Who superintends "the
farmers cooperative demonstra-
ton wori' in certain district.
This is the position thai Mr.. Jen-
kiAs holds.
\ dcmonstrator is practical
farmer. who works portion Of his
farm under the supervision Of a
field agent, which tract he is expect,
ed to inspect at least once month
and to report on same to tne field
Sagent, so that the latter may be kept
nosted on the progress of the work
and the success Of the undertaking
arid may give others thc benefit Of
tn work by publication.
\ cooperator is farmer who
agrees to follow the instructions Of
the department, and to make the re-
port of progress at the end Of the
season.
The field agent is expected to visit
as many centres Of Influence in his
district as possible, and by personal
effort secure the cooperation Of
bankers, merchants and farmers in
this cooperative work; also always
interest the editor Of the local pa
per. Second, establish near these
centres the special demonstration
farms, then secure cooperatOrs.
Small, thrifty and energetic farmers
will generally do better as special
demonstrators. Large farmers have
too much business to give the work
the requisite attention. The agent
must use Judgment sin selecting CO.
operators and secure men VINO will
follow Instructions and report.
Plan of Work.
The general plan of the work that
will be donc is outlined in a bulletin
gotten ont under the direction of DR..
S. A. Knapp, who is directing the
work from Lake st. Charles, La. The
plan Of the work is about as follows:
The object Of the farmers CO.
3operative demonstration work is not