Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1908-01-08
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW.
The Department Of Agriculture Now
Giving Valuable information.

Westminster. Jan. 3.-Editors of
keowee Courier: In conversation
with q gentleman from neighbor-
ing county he said, "If wanted to
know OF the resources OF any county
in South Carolina would write to
the Secretary of Agriculture, Hon.
James Wilson. Washington, d. C.,
for the desired information. The
great volume of information sent
out by the Department of Agricul-
ture enables one of limited means to
get an agricultural education with
the smallest outlay OF capital posst-
BILE. 1t Is O mooted question why
there Is not more interest taken by
the people in; the efforts of the De-
partment tn enlighten them In the
various phases Of farm life.
The rural free delivery o. our mails
at our doors has done much, as an
educational factor, in relieving the
monotony OF our isolated homes. The
various circulars sent out by the De-
partment on the different branches
Of agriculture give valued informa-
tion to those. who will read them,
and saves many unwise experiments
by the private individual We find
that tho organization Of the farm
ers' Institutes throughout almost
every State in the Union has aroused
much enthusiasm In the advance
ment Of institute work, and will be
the means Of impartfng much practi-
cal information to the farmers. We
have near us great stimulus to this
work, Clemson College. fear we do
not rightly appreciate the location
of the college in our county. We
complain, but do net go and see. I
know there Is always m invitation
extended by tie president and his as
sociates, "Come and see." Prof. J.
N. Harper, the director OF Clemson
Experiment station, has done and is
doing much to promote the efficiency
OF the work, and the many short and
concise circulars sent out from Glenn
son by his direction are calculated to
do much good. Oconee county is In
debted to his influence in securing
the Typographical survey of the coun-
ty by Mr.. McLendon, civil engineer,
a native of South Carolina, a gradu-
ate OF Clemson, belonging to the
Civil Engineer, Corps of the United
States. This survey will give all the
streams and roads, also will select a
sample each of the different grades
Of soil in the county and forward
them to the Department at Washing
ton .or analysis; also will make q
complete soil survey of the Clemson
farm, showing every variety of soil
on the whole farm. After all the
field work is completed he will make
a complete map of the county, and
give much valued information con-
cerning the farm products, the ferttl-
ity and possibilities of the soil, farm
labor and other kindred subjects.
Mr.. McLendon has been engaged
in this work nearly five months, and
will be enabled to make an interest
ing report Of his labors. His work
was done very quietly and at times
under many difficulties. Many, not
knowing his business, civilly inform
ed hin this land Is posted" but to-
day the work Is nearly completed,
and soon we will be able to secure q
well prepared map of our county.
Mr.. McIendon was assisted partly by
Mr.. Latimer, relative of Senator
Latimer, and much of the time by
his faithful wife, who was one of the
F. F. VS.. Therefore the county
should feel under many obligations
to them for their faithfulness at
their work, and also to Prof. Harper
for his kindly interest in securing
the service Of the government in our
behalf. John w. Shelor.