The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-10-02

lH1 lltIt : 'tltf ttl!'t q. '':.il'i!t -
Tie lryunlc> I'rr both Summer and wiz
ter planting. | endorse the plan Of
using what is termed cover crops.
clover. vetch and crimson clover on
our bare fields in winter to prevent
the teaching Of the soil. and 10 pro-
duce plants to be turned under for
humuS the next summer.
I am in position to appreciate the
Importance Of keeping as many hors-
es. mules. hogs and COWS as we can,
for they are manufacturers Of stable
manure. I perhaps know more OF
the value of stable manures than most
farmers in our section. Experience
teaches me that it is by far the most
valuable fertilizer obtainable. The
legumes come next in Importance as
permanent land enricher. They have
the advantage Of being more avail
able, as they can be planted anywhere
and are in the reach Of farmers Of
small means.
I am, however, indisposed to let
our farmers sit supinely by and de-
pend entirely upon outside instruc-
ton. We can do much within our
selves. We should combine the know
ledge that experience has taught us,
with that derived elsewhere. We can
teach other to our mutual advan-
tage. Every farming community has
man that has by intuition or other
wise caught the knack Of making bet
ter yields Of certain crop than his
neighbors. Another one has not sue
ceeded as we'll in this particular crop,
but he can make something else bet
ter than others and so it goes. Why
not get all Of these men to meet to-
gether, exchange plans and ideas, so
that each one will imbide the essen
tial points whereby those leading in
the production Of their specialties
have attained their success? Is it not
reasonable to suppose that a number
of men, giving their plans whereby
they have succeeded in raising cot
ton, corn, peas, oats, wheat, potatoes,
melons, rutabagas, and winter cab
bage can by combining the special
methods by which each one has sue
ceded in his special line be Of bene-
fit to every farmer in that commun-
ity?
Now to the point. I venture to ask
that your department take such steps
as your good judgment directs in en-
deavoring to organize as many agri-
cultural societies, or farmers clubs,
upon the plans Of the ones which
have been in operation at Pendleton
and Beech Island, for something like
a half century, throughout the State.
I would like very much to see one or
ganized in Columbia during the ap-
preaching State fair. I am sure that
we have many intelligent Influential
citizens who are interested enough in
agricultural pursuits to make sue
cess Of such an organization, and I
hope that you will make an effort
o enlist their cooperation in this
work. In a club or organization Of
this kind we can both exchange ex-
periences with one another as to
methods found best by each Of us
upon our Individual farms, and we
can also consult together as to plans
to be adopted for the future manage
ment Of the membership.
Trusting that this will receive your
earnest consideration, I am sincerely
yours, }. ". Bunch.
September %, 1908.
Mr.. J. ". Bunch, State Hospital
for the Insane, Columbia, S. C.-My
Dear Sir: ] am in receipt Of your
letter Of September 26, and wish to
express to you my appreciation of the
kind words contained therein. In re-
gard to the efforts Of this department
to benefit the agricultural conditions
throughout the State. I realize fully
the value Of the different points indi-
Gated, and know how much just such
a class Of work is needed through
out South Carolina. I shall take this
matter up very carefully and see if
we cannot evolve some systematic
plan for the organization Of such ex-
change idea clubs. In regard to your
suggestion as to the organization Of
the first Of these clubs in Columbia
during the demonstration meeting in
Fair week, this suggestion meets with