The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-06-29
TIE tourist into the Southern
States, if he possesses AN in

/
Il States, if he possesses an in
qulrlng mind and mingles
with his brethren, will discover chat
iiiteen-year-old boy is the reign
ing hero of the period. Jerry Moore
OF Wlnona, South Carolina. in the
autumn of 1910 won the title of
champion Boy Corn Grower of the
World" His achievement has made
nm a tremendous asset TO his
state. He produced on one acre of
land 228 bushels and three pecks
OF corn. He has become the carnate
symbol of a great future for the
South in agriculture-the youthful
Messiah Of the soil.
1t was an interesting and divert
ing experience in travelling through
out South Carolina in the early
spring months for the writer TO
mention the name of Jerry Moore
on the trains or in the hotels. The
response to his name was a denial
OF any lack of enthusiasm in the
South, and the proof of Jerry's inn
portance to his state. A few years
ago the average yield of corn to the
acre in South Carolina was frac-
tlon over eight bushels: last year
the crop had grown to an average
OF eighteen and fraction bushels.
This shows growth in intelligence
as well as. in quantity. The cause of
the increase has been the boys of
South Carolinaa alone, enrolled in
the Boys Corn Clubs of the South.
They have not only been learning
what can be done on the farms with
a scientific application of fertili-
zers and deeper furrowing of the
plow, but they have taught their
elders. Each year the boys in the
public schools of nearly every
county in the Southern States
choose an acre Of land and indus
triously engage in the competition
for the honors of corn growing, and
the boys of South Carolina have
held the championship ever since
they entered the lists. And each
year the champion has scaled q
higher maximum of production.
They intend that there shall be no
going back" Various organiza-
tions in the counties add zest to the
by offering prizes-a
trip to Washington, a new plow,
money sometimes. The governor of
South Carolina awards q diploma
TO each boy whose crop amounts to
seventy-five bushels or more, and
there were i42 winners of the honor
in 1910.
Jerry Moore's father is a Meth
odist clergyman whose glebe comes
as a portion of his reward for his
service to his church. Last year the
rains were uncommonly plentiful,
and it was hinted that Jerry scored
an advantage over his competitors
in the prayers Of his father; but
Jerry's earnest labor and incessant
of his precious corn
stalks rose to the dignity of re-
igion. He has carted over seven
hundred loads of rich earth on his
acres, and he spent over 800 on fer
,ilizers. But his profits, after pay
ng all expenses, amounted TO over
1880. His distinction won him many
hundreds more. No agricultural
festival in the South and the near
West has been regarded |
IS a normal occasion without the |
presence of Jerry. He has been
as far as Columbus, |
ohio, where a banquet was given to
lis honor-and his great discom-
iture also. When all the big farm
RS assembled around the tables
rose to drink his health, one of
hem raised Jerry to his feet in his
hair, and he hid his face in his
srm, his boyish blushing bashful-
less being as charming to his hosts
is it was agonizing to him.
Into the competition this spring.
# 1911, much to his surprise, jerry