Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1909-05-12
FARMERS EXTENSION SCHOOLS
To BE Held BY CIemson--"Travel-
ing Carr Eliminated.


extension schools will be held by
Clemson College this summer. These
schools are somewhat different from
the well-known travelling car"
schools in that the stands are for
longer periods than one day in the
various communities visited.
Prof. ID. n. Barrow, head OF the
department of agriculture at Glenn
son College, has issued the following
notice as to the schools:
1t Is planned this summer by Glenn
son College to hold two farmers eX-
tension schools. These extension
schools have been held In d number
of the Western States for several
years, and have proven quite popu-
lar with the people. The extension
school may be considered as some
what in the nature of continued
institute, the difference being that
instead OF holding an institute at a
point for one day, during which time
speeches are delivered on a dozen or
more different subjects, that the III
stitute corps remaius in commu-
nifty for peirod varying from three
to six days. During that time reSu
lar class work is held and practical
Instructions given on subjects of i'm
mediate interest to the people.
Clemson College believes that 1t is
college for the whole people, that
1t has even higher mission than
just educating future generations,
and that 1t should strive to benefit
the present generation. 1t Is impos-
sible for those who are engaged in
active farming to attend college
Therefore, the college, to a certain
extent, will attempt to go to the peo-
pie by holding these extension
schools at different points for a week
or more at time, and great many
farmers can be benefited who other
wise would not be able to attend
school at Clemson College.
These extensions have proven of
immense value in the States in which
they have been adopted, not only to
the people, but also as means of
acquainting the people with the COL
lege. The fact of personal acQuaint-
ance is a very great confidence
breeder, and when the farmers Of the
State have learned to know the fac
ulty of their State college personally
their confidence in their ability to
teach is very much increased.
Should these two extension .,chools
prove success it is hoped to hold
others over the State. There is re-
ally no reason why these schools
should be held simply in summer. 1t
might be possible to hold them at
different times during the whole
year, and in this way great many
more farmers could be reached
Among the subjects that it is
planned to treat in Il practical way
at these schools are the selection of
seed, and how to judge good crops
Practical = Wi pi, In,
the Judging and scoring of the ordi-
nary crops raised upon the farm. and
those attending the schools will be
shown just how these crops can be
improved by selection. A large
amount Of this work will be given
right in the field. This will be sup
plementcd by a certain amount of
class room work. The subject of
commercial fertilizers, how to use
them and how to mix them for the
various crops will also receive close
attention. How to use improved i'm
plementS, and their economy and
their advantages, will also receive at
tention. 1t is possible also that the
dairy industry will be taken up, and
practical instruction will be given i'm
the care of milk and manufacture of
butter. Also adv iSe as to how to
handle this milk and care of the
dairy barn and how to feed for the
best results.
Another point to which it is de-
sired to give considerable amount of
attention is the subject of soil i'm
provement. There is no question
more pertinent to the South to-day
than how to build up our worn-out
soils, and this subject will be treated
In as effective a way as possible. 1t
is not expected or desired that the
attendance upon these schools will
be in the nature OF Il holiday; only
those are expected TO attend it who
have an earnest desire to learn. 1t
Is much better that one or two dozen
good farmers shall be taught these
subjects thoroughly than that there
should be an attendance Of two or
three hundred, each one only nCur-
ing Smattcring.
1t IS believed that the farmers OF
South Carolina will appreciate the
wisdom Of establishing these schools
and will not hesitate TO take advant-
age thereof.