Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-01-28
aaiseellaneuas 8eadius.
BOYS CORN CONTEST.
Mr.. o. 3. Martin Tells All About the
Scheme.

sistently toward its accomplishment.
If number of boys can be induced
to strive for the same goal, with a
spirit Of friendly rivalry which stim-
ulates observation, study, industry and
economy, then the good results will
be increased many fold.
Such is the plan of the Boys Clubs
in the farm demonstration work. In
order to get the best results It is not
only necessary to get the boys to
unite their efforts. but 1t is also essen
tial that other vital forces In the
county cooperate. One Of the strong
features about the demonstration
work is that it is cooperative. SO in
the Boys Department we frequently
find the county superintendent Of ed
ucation and teachers, the demonstra-
ton agents, the business men, the
newspapers and the parents giving aid
and support.
Where this work is being intro
duced in county, the county super
intendent Of education and teachers
can reach the boys in all sections Of
the county more quickly and more
effectively than any other agency.
The superintendent can explain the
plan to the teachers, and they can
explain 1t to the boys and secure the
names Of all boys who will agree to
plant one acre Of corn. 1t is best to
begin with corn. 1t is fine subject
for study, and our people need to
raise more corn in order to be pros
porous and independent.
After this is done meeting Of all
boys interested should be held at the
court house for the purpose Of or
ganization and instruction. Such
meeting should be held early In
the season so that every boy may have
time for proper preparation of soil
and selection Of seed. For the first
year it has been found advantageous
to see that first class seed are fur
nished to all Of the boys alike. After
that each boy should select and breed
his own seed. Wherever a special
agent of the U. s. department Of ag-
riculture is located in county 1t
will be found that he will gladly help
In giving instructions and advice In
regard to the agricultural part of the
work, either to the county club or
to local groups of boys whom he may
meet in his rounds over the county.
Prizes and Premiums.
If the merchants and other public
spirited citizens have been visited and
the work explained to them before
the general meeting Of boys, there
will be a fine list of prizes to announce.
There have been many commendable
contributions to this cause in various
parts of the country during this
year. It adds considerable interest
to the work to offer prizes like the
following, which have been selected
from different lists in the south for
this year: A trip to Washington, $50
in gold, $1,000. $500, q nice buggy,
first class bicycle, strong two
horse plow, double-barrel shot
gun, a $5 hat, SIS suit Of clothes,
an up-to-date corn planter, a ton OK
fertilizer, a two-horse wagon" and
other articles of utility and value.
Some boards of trade and chambers
of commerce have made appropria-
tions direct for prizes and some have
given fine recognition to the efforts OF
the Boys Clubs by giving them BAN
ouets and street car and automobile
rides.
Circulars and BuIlitens.
Inst as soon as the names Of all Of
the boys are assembled In the once
of the county superintendent OF edu-
cation, duplicate lists should be sent
to DR.. s. A. Knapp, Washington, y:
c., who has charge of the farmers
cooperative demonstration WORK.
These boys will from time to time re-
ceiye circulars Of instruction and In
formation in regard to preparation
fertilization, cultivation, seed selec-
ton, etc. These circulars furnish ex-
cellent subject matter for discussion
at a. club meeting or for lesson In
school. They also lead to further
study of farmers bulletins and BOOKS.
A boy will profit from such lessons
discussions and books because he is
making practical application OF the
principles that are taught. He learns
scientific agriculture because ne
needs it and not because 1t Is scien-
tific.
Rules and Awards.
1t is not necessary to have many
rules. A few regulations, however,
are necessary in order to prevent mis-
understanding. 1t is well Tor the
bows to elect their own president, vice
president, secretary and treasurer.
Some clubs have badges Of member
ship in the shape Of a button with
the name of the club, name Of the
county and state, and the year printed
or engraved upon it.
The following rules might be
adopted by a club, with such modih-
cations and additions as may be
fond necessary:
1. Boys joining clubs and entering
fcontests must be under elgnteen
years Of age.
2. No boy shall contest for prize
unless he becomes a member OF
club. ...
8. The members Of the CLUBS
must agree to read the instructions
of the demonstration work.
4. Each boy must plan his own
crop and do his own work.
S. Exhibits must be delivered 70
the county superintendent Of educa-
| ton by October 18th.
6. The amount Of the yield ana
the method of measurement must be
certified by each boy and attested py
at least two disinterested witnesses,
who shall be satisfactory to the
county superintendent.
Z. In awarding prizes the follow
ing basis shall be used:
(a) Greatest yield per acre. soy
| (b) Best 10-ear exhibit ....... 1870
(c) Best written accounts show
ing history Of crop and all ex-
penSeS ... ..'''. NV ~
| (d) Best showing Of prifit on In
Experts from agricultural colleges