The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-05
H T~HIRTY-FIVE
COUNTIES IN HAND
Legislature Has Put 1t Up to the
Boards of Supervisors-Some
Boards Act-Others Do Not.
People Beginning to
Wonder Why-Good
Work Done.
By FRANK :. woopsoN,

stratcd TO be Of vast bcncht and pro-
mt to the people at large tho co-opera-
tive farm demonstration work in yir-
ginia is that thing. and while the
boards OF supervisors OF the LOG
counties in Virginia hesitate TO take
advantage OF the law 10 nelp the good
work along is something OF mystery.
Perhaps they do not fully under
stand this demonstration work and do
not Know. as they should know. Of the
great results that have Deer accom-
piishcd. II ls a pity that every mem
Der OF every county Board OF Supervls-
ors in the State vas not In Richmond
during State Fair week TO sec the cx-
hibits made from the ,hirty-6vc coun-
ties that have had the advanta OF
the good work Of the local and general
demonstrators.
The History OF IT.
The Education Board OF New York
instituted this work in the South. 1
presume this board followed the same
general lines in other southern States
that It did in Virginia. Tho Education
Board of New -ork iB simply 4 com
peny Of p~hiian,hropic gentlemen Of
the North, principally OF New York.
"ho undertook soon after the War Be-
tween the States to raise money to
help the Impoverished South along
educational lines. They did raise a
vast deal OF money and did do a great
deal OF good. In the course Of time
the board reached the conclusion that
the South being an agricultural coun-
try. but largely Welded 10 obsolete
methods OF farming, money could be
wisely spent IN teaching better
methods OF farming. In educating the
young farmers and the old ones. TOO. In
modern methods, that is TO say. teach
Ing them about intensive farming,
conservation OF lands. stock raising.
etc.
Good Results shown.
The board appropriated a certain
amount OF money 10 Virginia and en-
pioyed Thomas o. Sandy. who had done
some very wise demonstrating on his
own hook, to lead in the good work.
Two years OF effort on the part Of
Sandy opened the eyes OF a great many
people, and tho State author!tieA
thouSht II wise to do all that could
be done 10 supplement the work by
adding TO the fund which had come
voluntarily from the Education Board
OF New York.
About that lime along came that
great and good man, tho late DIR. S. a
Knapp, Of. the Agricultural Depart
:'St - ~ S!iilCu oIa 6oFrTUIIltnt I,
and he offered TO lend a helping nand
from the treasury OF Uncle sam. and
he preached the good doctrine of go.
Ing after the boys through the Corn
Clubs and the farmcrs girls through
the Canning Clubs. etc. This State au-
thorities came into the work and the
united board was organized. composed
of representatives from the ~co-opera-
tive farm demonstraticn work. from
fnA StaA
from the Education Board of New
York and from the State EducationaI
Depa rtnent.
Legislature Comes to Help.
Tho Legislature authorized the er-
penditure OF as large a sum OF money
as could be spared from the gcneraf
education fund. and that In connection
with the funds furnished by the gov
ard by the Education Board
OF New York has been wisely and pro-
ftably used In advancing the good
work OF the Boys Corn Clubs and the
Girls Canning Clubs. The magnificent
exhibits at the State Fair. which have
been told about In these columns and
Will continue to be told about, show
how we'll and how wisely this money
has been spent.
The Legislature went further and
made a law which gives each county
In the State power to help along the
good work of the demonstrators. This
law empowers the Board OF Supervisors
OF each county to appropriate II sum
OF money not exceeding $50 10 each
1000 Inhabitants to aid In the demon
tration work. Such counties as make
this appropriation will be entitled TO
q county demonstration to work under
the general supervision of the state
demonstrator and his immediate lieu
tenants. However. 1t is discretionary
with the Board of Supervisors whether
they make the appropriation or not.
II they make II their county will have
a local demonstration and the help of
the State demonstrators whether the
appropriation they make at the rate
provided BY the act of Legislature Is
sufficient to pay the expenses or not,
and in many cases 1t Is not sufficient.
The additional amount comes from the
sources mentioned above.
Thirty-fve Count les Come In.
Only thirty-fve counties took adj
vantage of this act of Assembly, and
made the apr priation at the rate of
$40 or less TO the 1000 inhabitants In
some instances two adjoining counties
took pot luck and together made a suf-
ficient appropriation to have a joint
demonstration Here Is the list OF
counties that now have demonstrators
and the names of the demonstrators:
Amherst, II. s. Peyton: Appomattox. j
w. Flood: Albemarle. L. NJ. Walker:
Augusta, X. G.. Koiner: Amelia and
Powhatan. r. y. Warrincr: Bedford, w
T. Moore; buckingham. j. f., oliver:
Brunswick, w. $. Wright; Chesterfield
II. d. Burfoot; Culpeper. j. C. Bruce;
Dinwiddie. S. T.. Spain: Fairfax, j. c
Hunter: Fluvanna and Goochland, w
Q. Snead; Greenesville. j.. C. LIfsoy;