The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1909-03-10
0. B. Martin in Charge Of Boys Department
Of Demonstration Work.

Friends Of former State Superintend-
ent OF Education O. B. Martin will be
pleased to know that he has been ap-
pointed supervisor of the boys depart
ment of the government demonstration
work for the South. He will be associa-
ted with Dr.. Seaman a. Knapp, in the
United States department Of agricul-
ture.
Mr.. Martin has accepted the position
and entered upon its duties. He starts
in South Carolina: but will leave on
Monday for the States of Alabama.
Mississippi and Arkansas, spending q
few DAYS in each. Mr.. Martin will or
ganiZe agricultural work among the
boys and through the schools and school
officers. The plan of the work IS some
what as follows:
Boys between the ages Of 10 and q
years will be invited and urged to join
corn or cotton clubs in their localities.
Every boy who Joins will be expected to
secure from his father one acre OF land
for his own special attention and cult
vation. The names of the members Of
these clubs will be sent by the teachers
to the county superintendents OF educa-
ton, who will forward them to the Uni
ted States department OF agriculture.
The department will furnish each boy
with the best seed for planting his acre.
In addition he will receive 4 letter of
Instruction once a month, giving the
suggestions and ideas OF Dr.. Knapp as
to the best methods of preparation,
planting, fertilizing, cultivation, etc.
The State and county agents OF the farm
demonstration work viii also cooperate
by inspecting the boys farms and max
ing suggestions. The bulletin OF the de-
partment OF agriculture will be sent tC
each boy il his own name.
ublic-spirited business men in each
county where the work is undertaken
will be asked to make ontributions, sc
that prizes may be offered to the boys
who may make the greatest success.
Prizes will be offered for the greatest
yield of corn and cotton and also for the
best ears OF corn and for the best stalks
of cotton. These prizes will consist not
only of cash, but of useful and desirable
articles of merchandise, such as farm
watches, hats, etc.
1t is planned to have all members @:
the local clubs come together occasion
ally in county club. At these meet
ings the farm demonstration agents,
members of faculties Of agricultural COL !
leges and experts from Washington will
be invited TO be present and aid in the
instruction and work This will be eS.
pecially emphasized at a meeting in the
fall, when the prizes will be awarded.
These gentlemen will not only judge
the exhibits which will be brought TO-
gesher at the court house. but they will
instruct the boys in seed selection, corr-
Judging and other such important and
matters.
Mr.. Martin said yesterday that he
would hope to organize Only a few coun- |
ties il each State this year, but that he !
believed the work would be extended I
very rapidly next year.
AS is we'll known, Mr.. Martin has
been State superintendent OF education
for South Carolina for the past six
Years. He devoted himself enersetica)-
y and enthusiastically to that work.
giving especial attention to the improve
ment of the country schools. His efforts