The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-03-24
State CORN TEST ANNOUNCED
COL WATSON ANXIOUS no BREAK
RECORD FOR SIZE.
Wants Is Many Farmers and Farm
kcrs' Boys as Possible to Enter Corn.
Growing COntest-POints Out BEN
Gifts Already Secured-Conditions
and Prizes.

heeoho W tho CoEh Cohtcot, lOT WHICH
the Legislature made provision at the
last session. The growing of corn is
to be encouraged. and the contest
opens an interesting field for compe-
tition. The contestants manuals will
be sent out by Commissioner Watson
to those who wish to compete.
In discussing the plan Commission
er Watson said today:
''The contests that we have already
held under Legislative appropriations
have proven Of such immense value
to the State In dollars and cents, as
has been demonstrated by their In
fiuence upon the remarkable advance
made In the value Of the corn crop in
South Carolina in the last two years,
that I am exceedingly hopeful Of far
better results from this years contest
than we have yet obtained from any
OF them. The change In the form of
the appropriation bill adopted by the
general assembly this year leaves the
matter OF the conduct Of this contest
entirely In the hands Of the State de-
partment instead Of the commission.
OF which ! was member In the past
two contests. This I regret. but wish
to say that the gentlemen who have
acted heretofore on the commission
Will be requested by myself to act
with me a. heretofore.
( AN active interest is being mani
tested by the farmers In all parts Of
the State In this years contest, and a
considerable number Of entries have
already reached this department. I
sincerely trust that ambitious farm
ers and farm boys of every township
IN South Carolina will enter the con-
test this year. 1t costs them nothing
to enter. want to see as large O
number as possible participating in
this work. for even II there were no
other consideration. the lessons they
will learn In the keeping of daily rec
ords. as required by the manual, will
be Of immense value to them and
their neighbors as well.
I'm the general announcement that
I have issued today it will be seen
that instead Of connning this years
contest to merely on acre, provision
10 also made for competition ON Ave
acres as well. Further provision is
made for prizes for farmers boys,
who bend their energies to the grow
Ing OF corn on one acre.
II trust that the arrangement of
prizes will stimulate not only the far.
mers Of the State. but their. sons to-
enter this years contest freely, and
stimulate them to enter with a deter
mination to win or be well up in the
list Of those who obtain the maximum
yield"
This competition has been inaugu-
rated with view to increase grain
growers profits by increasing the
yield Fer acre. and also the quality of
corn and oats through simple meth
DDS of seed selection and proper cul-
ture. 1t Is so named from the fact
that 1t cannot but result In adding
thousands In the aggregate to the
profits Of those engaged in agriculture
In this State.
The contest will be conducted by
the State department Of agriculture
of South Carolina.
Objects OF the Contest.
1. To encourage proper selection
of seed and better care Of soils.
2. To centre attention Npon varie-
ties that are superior for each section,
to introduce seed Of such varieties
that are pure and true to name and
to prove THAT when such varieties are
grown under normal conditions II is
not necessary to so frequently change
seed.
8. To encourage better methods
OF culture and harvesting. SO as large
ly to increase average yields per acre
and improve quality.
4. To show that such results can
be had at less expense Of time. money
and labor than poorer crops when in
crease In yield Is considered.
s. To Improve methods Of market
ing and conversion of crop into larg-
est possible cash return.
8. To increase grain growers
profits on each acre and each bushel
every year.
Z. To promote the keeping of in
telligent records and the use OF busi-
ness principles in farming. TO foster
the farmers prosperity and the well
fare of the whole people.
Nnt.