The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-03-10
Fll1El I. .. MARTIN.
~ CHARGE OF BOYS DEPART
MxNT OF DEMONSTRATION
WORK.


Columbia. March 5.--Friends of for
mer state Superintendent of Educa-
0on o. H. Martin will be pleased TO
Know that he has been appointed su-
Dev1sor OF the boys department OF
ehe government demonstration work
9or the south. He will be associated
with DIR. Seaman A. Knapp. In the
United States department of agricul-
two.
Mr.. Martin has accepted the posi-
e1oa and entered upon its duties. He
starts In South Carolina. but win
1eave on Monday for the state of Ala
hama. Mississippi and Arkansas.
spending = few days In each. Mr..
Martin will organize agricultural
work among the boys and through
enc schools and school officers. The
plan % the work Is somewhat as fol-
lows:
Beyo between the ages Of 10 and 81
yeen will be invited and urged to
5oin corn or cotton clubs in their To-
callties. Every boy who Joins will be
oxpected to secure from his father
enc acre Of land for his own special
attention and cultivation. The names
g the members OF these clubs will be
opnt by the teachers to the county su-
porintendents OF education. who will
4orward them to the United states de-
paf@ment Of agriculture. The depart
Hont will furnish each Coy with the
- seed for planting his acre. In
odoltion he will receive letter OF In
o<ruction once a month. giving the
aogEestions aud ideas OF DR.. Knapp as
~ ne hest methods OF preparation,
plan11ng. fertliixing. cultivation. etc.
~ state and county agents OF tho
1orm dsmsnstration work will also
oeoD1rsts. by inspecting the boys
&rFm' and making suggestions. The
>rnsia Of the department of agricui-
- w'n be cent to each boy in his
GVD laame.
ruhlic-spirited business men in
oach county where the work is un-
dertsken will be asked to make con-
trihuions. 80 that prizes may be Of
ferod to the boys who may make the
lsrsssssa success.
Ptxss will be offered for the great
.est yieId Of corn and cotton and also
Tor 'lnc best ears Of corn and for the
best stalks of cotton. These prizes
win consist not only OF cash. but OF
nscfnl and desirable articles of
fnarthsndise. such as farm iniple-
snents. watches, hats. etc.
n b planned TO have all members
of Tie local clubs come together oc-
cssidnaIIy In a country club. At these
meetings the farm demonstration
agents. members of faculties Of agri-
cultural colleges and experts from
washington viii be invited to be
prs<,sns and aid In the instruction and
wer1l This will pc emphasized at a
meeting Tn the fall. when the prizes
win be awarded. These gentlemen
with not only Judge the exhibits which
viii be brought together at the court
npup. but they viii instruct the boys
- sscd selection. corn judging and
othsr such important and interesting
enaters.
Mr.. Martin said yesterday that he
would hope TO organize only few
counties On each State this year. but
that ne believed the work would be
sxt<nded very rapidly next year.
As IL well known. Mr.. Martin has
bceis state superintendent OF educa-
tion lsr South Carolina for the past
IN years. He devoted himself en-
asusticaiiy and enthusiastically 10
ekat work. giving especial attention to
ths Improvement of the country
schools HIs efforts were unusually
successfu,. attracting attention not
only In South Carolina but In other
States. IL was largely because of his
record of state superintendent that
Mr- Martin was appointed to his pre-
ssnt position.