The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-10-12
PROF. IRA WILLIAMS SPEAKS.
Talks to Farmers Of the Importance
of Building Up Farms and
Rural Districts.

Lol lliSI y Co-OpSl dtIHt utHlOISll dllo4l
work in this State made an address in
the cou@, house on last Saturday t. i
fairly large audience.
Prof. Williams said that he had
long tried to meet with the farmers
Of Newberry county; that he had Of
ten heard favorable reports from this
county. Mr.. Williams congratulated
our people on the handsome and com
modious court house, but what he re-
joiced more to see among any people
is good school houses. we'll eqn'pped
for effective work. What every cor1-
munitv needs is facilities for the ed
ucation of its young people.
We are not wealthy people, e.
cause we have a few rich men, four
strong banks, yet there are thousands
Of people who are not wealthy While
many farmers in different sections
Of the county are making a great sue
cess in their farm work. there are
hundreds and hundreds Of farmers
who are not doing what they should
for the preservation Of their soils and
building up the waste lands on their
farms.
Probably the greatest drawback in
our agricultural advancement is the
inefficient school work in our rural
communities. Our children should be
trained in those things which will
help them in after lfe-what they as
tillers Of the soil will need in their
work on the farm. In nine cases oul
Of ten the education given our boys
and girls is suited for some profess
ion. We need to train the masses of
the people for the life they are going
to lead-our children should be
taught practical subjects that will ell
able them 10 make our homes better
and more attractive to the farmer and
his family.
Mr.. Williams has a deposit in one
of the banks in Columbia, funds suff-
cient to pay lady teacher who can
instruct her children as he wants her
to do. Our teachers are not trained
in agricultural subjects and methods,
but he cannot find one that can an
swer his wishes. He wants one who
can teach matters connected with the
dairy - the milking Of COWS and
their care, the making of butter
and putting it on the market at low
est cost-subjects connected with
poultry and bees, and various other
matters connected with the farm.
What our schools should produce
are boys and girls who can perform
the practical operations Of the farm
so as to make the greatest profits. He
can't find man in South Carolina,
who can show himself proficient in
such work. And the same way as TO
girls.
The object Of the farm demonstra-
ton work is to get the maximum of
profits with a minimum of effort. Our
system contemplates the upIift Of the
whole people.
Another part of your work is The
boys corn club teaching the boy
how to prepare his land for the corn,
selection Of seed, use Of proper fer
tilizer and cultivation. This will
arouse interest among boys and will
add greatly to our homes, to society
and to our schools-the surest way
to make this government strong and
durable is to interest the boys and
girls in the rural homes. One Of the
greatest menaces to the future sta
bility Of our government is the drift
ing of our people from the country
districts to the towns and cities.
Mr.. Williams said if he could con-
tribute anything to interest The young
people in their country homes and
make them stay there he would feel
that his greatest work had been ac-
complished. because when one does this
he adds to the peace and happiness
and prosperity Of the country people,
and that Of itself would be a great
result.
These boys corn clubs will arouse
our boys to bring about the best re-
suits.
Mr.. Williams said his Office will
be glad to cooperate with anyone
who wishes his assistance. Will be
only too gla to help any one and
that he holds himself and his assist
ants ready to respond promptly and
fully to any request.
A rising vote Of thanks was ten
dered Prof. Williams for his excel
lent and instructive address.