Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-12-08
IN IMPROVED FARMING.
Great Progress Is Being Made In This
State.

farmers cooperative demonstration
work in South Carolina for the last
year, compiled up to November l, Is
an interesting review Of the efforts
along the lines of education for scien-
tihc agriculture, in which South Car
DINA is taking the leading part. This
work, under the supervision Of DR..
Knapp, is in charge Of Prof. Ira w.
willIams in this staIe. Prof. Williams
Is native of Georgia and was former
~ associated with Miss Berry in her
celebrated work for the white boys Of
the mountain district. He is a pro-
sresslve, earnest and extremely prac-
llcal young man.
The report follows:
United States Department of Agricul-
ture, Bureau Of Pant lndustry-Re-
port of the Farmers Cooperative
Demonstration Work in the State Of
South Carolina, Nov. l, 1908:
The demonstration work in South
Carolina was begun in November, 1907,
and we now attach a map showing the
approximate location Of the demon
stratlon farms which have been estab-
lished and visited regularly in the past
year.
During the season fifteen men were
employed as district and local agents.
Two district agents and one local
agent, ]. z. CamppeIl, ]. M. Jenkins
and w. R. Elliott, worked the entire
year and travelled extensively, going
into all parts Of the state. Five local
agents worked seven months Of the
year, giving their entire time and
working thoroughly their respective
counties. These were; ]. B. Tinsley,
J. w. Rothrock, L. C. Chappell, H. H.
Abrams and T. ]. Cunningham.
AT a meeting held in Columbia, S.
c., October 26 and q, all the agents
gave a report of the demonstration
work in their respective counties.
The number Of demonstration farms
conducted this year ranged from 40
to 100 for each agent, with quite a
varied number Of co-operators, the
total being about 600 demonstration
farms and about 500 cooperating
farms. !
In the meeting each agent made a
report Of the farms he conducted. AL
most without exception better stands Of
corn and cotton were secured on the
demonstration farms for the simple
reason that better preparation Of the
seed bed and better seed were obtain
ed. This altogether with intensive cul-
tivation, caused the demonstration
farms to better Withstand the summer
drought and gave from 10 per cent to
100 per cent larger yields than the
farms where ordinary methods have
been applied. s.'
"one agent reported AZ bushels of
corn per acre on the demonstration
farm, while the average on the rest Of
the field was IA bushels per acre. An
other agent reported 1900 pounds of
seed cotton per acre on the demonstra-
ton farm, while on same land with the
same amount Of fertilizer, the farmer
made only 500 pounds under his own
methods. Another agent reported the
smallest yield Of corn among his dem
onstrations to be % bushels, while the
ordinary methods produced not over IL
bushels in any instance. Fifty to one
hundred bushels Of corn was not un-
common among the demonstrators, and
the average yield Of cotton was from
one to two bales per acre.
Aside from the regular work on the
demonstration farms, more than 100
schools Of instruction were held over
the state this year, in which the agents
gathered together the farmers Of the
counties and talked to them on the
preparation of the soil, the uses Of
good seed, and intensive cultivation.
They have also been called upon to
speak at different public meetings, the
Farmers Institutes, and various as
sociations.
1T Is safe to say that the local
agents have this fall succeeded in get
ting ten farmers to select seed for next
springs planting, make fall prepara-
ton Of the soil and winter cover crop
where only one farmer was accustomed
to this before. Some agents report
that fifty times as many farmers have
adopted this method.
statistics gathered from the COM
missioner Of agriculture, merchants and
a number from each county show that
only about two thirds Of the hay, grain
and pork consumed in each county is
raised by the farmers themselves. Our
agents have taken advantage Of the
situation and are constantly urging the
farmers to grow more home supplies.
I'VE have been rewarded already
and 1t is surprising to note the num-
Der of farmers who are now, for the
first time, growing other crops than
corn and cotton. Mr.. Elliott Of Fair
field county, estimates that at least
)ne hundred of his men have this year
seeded vetch and crimson clover for
the first time. Equally as good re-
pOTlS are coming III lIOHl Juliet SeS-
tions Of the state.
The hearty cooperation Of the state
of agriculture has been
largely responsible for the success Of
the demonstration work in this state.
Mr.. Watson has not only helped to
make the work success, but has ad-
vertise, it in such a way as to create
d demand for the work, which, together
with his own personal effort, has
brought about an increase in the ap-
since it's introduction one
year ago, from $4,000 to $4,000. 1t Is
very important that this cooperation
be continued for the future success
and continuation Of the work in the
state. Its continuance and If possible
some direct contribution by the state,
would go long way towards doubling
the national aid at no far distant date.
I'VE have had also the hearty CO.
operation of the agricultural schools
and experiment stations, business men
and Farmers Union, and have helped
in establishing quite a number Of far
mers' organizations.