Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-11-11

Inc MNEh OF AAAE NN41 N9AA 1880
comparatively new in Georgia. though
efforts looking to this end were insti-
tuted several years ago The response
at that time was very encouraging. but
unfortunately no funds were available 10
promote the work systematically. With
IN the past year. however. more funds
were secured. and the State College OF
Agriculture. in cooperation with the
federal department. has been able 10 or
ganize clubs in more than 90 counties
IN the state. and TO enroll something like
2O00 boys i'm the various clubs. Judg-
ing from the correspondence which
comes TO hand there will be a much
larger number OF counties organized next
year and the enrolment will be greatly
increased This Is very encouraging and
shows that the movement 10 interest the
rising generation in better methods OF
farm practice is meeting with hearty
response The interest in the work Is
row statewide as evidenced by the
readiness with which merchants. bank
ers and various commercial organiza-
tons have contributed prizes to encour-
age the work.
For a long time IL was felt that large
Yields OF corn could not be secured in
the south. II has now been conclusive
~ shown by these young farmers that
this is a great mistake. and that Geor-
gia and other southern states are able
TO raise an adequate supply Of corn, pro-
vided the new methods which science is
advocating are employed Many Of the
boys corn clubs have already had their
fairs. and IL has been the pleasure OF
the writer to visit a number Of these
and see the great interest evidenced in
the wOf1. not only by the boys. but by
their fathers and the leading citizens Of
the community. Some splendid yields
have been secured and some fine speci-
mems OF corn exhibited, all of which is
very encouraging and is to be commend
ed. but there are some facts to which
attention may be directed at this time
with good advantage, for now is the
time to profit by the errors Of the past
years work and TO get in position to
achieve a greater success next year.
What is said. therefore, is not uttered
in the spirit Of criticism or for the sake
OF discOuraging these splendid young
farmers. but. on the other hand. these
suggestions are made for their encour-
agement in the future
One OF the first things observed is the
failure TO make reports in a business
Ike manner by many OF the boys. Some
made excellent reports on the forms fur
n.shed by the college; others seemed TO
have overlooked this matter altogether.
This is exceedingly unfortunate. for to
merely state that one has made So 80
or 100 bushels Of corn does not amount
TO much unless a statement is presented
to Indicate how this result was secured.
The mere growing Of a large crop of
corn is not educational in itself either
10 the individual or 10 the community.
The methods employed and the reasons
for attaining success are OF the utmost
Importance. and all these facts and fig
IL the reports which constitute an essen
tial part Of the work OF the boys corn
clubs are as carefully kept in the future
as they should be
There also seemed TO be lack of uni
fOrmity as to the plan OF operation.
some boys working on an eighth of an
acre and some on an acre. The land
was prepared in a great variety Of ways.
frequently no consideration being given
TO breaking and preparing il in accord
ance with the instructions sent TO the
contestants. The bulletins furnished
represent the best data available on
the cultivation OF corn They have been
very carefully prepared and edited. and
are wen worthy Of more study thfn
has been given TO them by many Of
the boys and those who are interested In
their welfare. A more systematic study
OF these pamphlets will be found help
ful next year Many OF the reports sub
mitted. for Instance. stated that a high
grade fertilizer was used at the rate of
three, FIVE or nine sacks, as the case
might be There is no way OF knowing
from a report Of this character how much
svsilable plant food was actually sup
piled. II Is desirable that the exact
analysis always be given. and that the
source from which the nitrogen and
other elements entering into the COM
position OF the fertilizer be noted. This
would furnish information useful. not
only TO the boy. but to the community,
and would terd TO inform him more
thoroughly concerning fertilizer terms
and the methods employed for measur-