The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-02-02
BOYS CORN CLUB
MORE THAN THREE THOUSAND
.5s MEMBERS ENROLLED

MORE THAN THREE THOUSAND
MEMBERS ENROLLED
The Good Work Thai; These Boys
Have Done in Very Short
Time.
MIR. Ira W. Williams, State Agent
| for South Carolina for the United
State farm demonstration work, says
there were over 5000 members en-
rolled in the school boys corn clubs
Of South Carolina last year, and OF
that number more than 1000 mem
bers made report Of the yield and
manner of culture on their acre OF
corn the others failed TO report from
the mistaken idea that II they had
not made a record-breaking yield OF
corn, they would not be expected to
report. OF these more than 2,00U
none reported yields less than SO
bushels and the great majority OF
them came near the rs bushel mark.
These boys have almost to a man,
enrolled for this year, and with the
experience gained by last year'e
work, may be reasonably expected
to increase their yield as much as Is
bushels.
It is noteworthy that the 80
highest yields reported averaged over
81 bushels per acre. OF this num-
Der, one raised 22s, one made 1T,
six made $50, 100 made 100 bushels
and more than 200 made rs bushels
per acre. None of the remaining
l2,70O reporting made less than so
bushels, and the majority of them
just missed the Is bushel mark. Az
eraging the whole it is seen that
more than 1900 boys on South
Carolina farms last year made an
average OF over 65 bushels to the
acre.
! When it Is remembered that the
average corn yield for the state for
the past ten years has been little
over IA bushels per acre, it will be
realized that the boys corn clubs
have done a wonderful thing; and
the best of it all, said Mr. Williams
is the fact that wherever you find
one OF these boys with his wonderful
yield of corn, you find center OF
intense interest IN the modern man
ner of making the land produce what
it is capable Of, instead Of permitting
| it to give back only a modicum OF
the fruit that 1t should yield.
In 36 counties Of the state last
year there were farmers acting al
agents of the government in the
work of arousing the farmers OF the
county to the better plan Of raising
corn. Each one OF these agents was
a successful farmei:, owning his own
farm, and living strictly on 1t. He
could not live In town, and he had to
make his own farm a model farm.
These men, said Mr.. Williams were
practically commissioners of agricul-
ture, one In each OF the 36 counties,
and each had from 40 to 100 farms
under his inspection and supervision.
The result in the majority Of the
cases was wonderful. There was
such a modernizing Of farm methods
in those sections that the Oldest in
habitants almost doubted their own
eyes
Not corn only, but all the various
products which the soil and climate
of South Carolina so freely produces,
was raised on these demonstration
farms The forage crops were given
especial attention; and the raising
of those things that really go to max
ing the farmer independent, such as
potatoes, both kinds, peas, and small
fruits, were encouraged, not to say
required. Some of the farms made
wonderful demonstrations of what a
farmer can raise at home, and at the
same time be building up his land,
and increasing his acreage, and his
production per acre.
The common vegetables Of the
kitchen garden were raised in abun-
dance, both for home consumption,
and for sale in the nearby markets
both in their fresh state and conned
or dried. 1t is grand fact that
thousands OF farmers in the state,
are this winter feasting on the pro-
ducts Of their farms, where hereto
fore they have existed on the bought
bread and meat of the Western far
mer. They are living in diversified
abundance.
Besides these small demonstration
farms and local agents Of the gov
ernment, the agricultural depart
ment maintains under strict super
vision large demonstration farms in
the different sections Of the state.
Probably tho most important of these
at. this time, is the Hitchcock farm
in Aiken county On this farm not
only the practical and scientific mod
ern farming is taught, insofar as it
relates to agriculture, but all the
allied lines OF the farmers business
are shown in the latest and most
successful ways of modern farming.
On the Hitchcock farm is one OF