Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-06-04
TIKI NV
COTTON RLANZ.ZR
TERSyOcS ZZZElOZ1

$195. These demonstration farms have shown q
mighty increase in production all others
where the old methods of farming used, and In
most localities they showing profit Of SIS Per
over that of their neighbors. I'll
In of the worst weevil districts, r. L. MaxvcH1
of Louisiana $50 pounds of lint to the on
plantation of 1000 acres and this land which II
said to be especially favorable to weevil production
Converting an Old Farmer.
This demonstration work is ~revolutionizing the
south. Both young and old are engaged in It. Many
Of the boys have been each given upon which
to raise cotton and there now boy cotton clubs
as wen>as boy clubs The farms to be
seen everywhere, and the poor farmer cannot help
knowing the big yields of his neighbors-
The government is trying get the very best
farmers to make the experiments. The agents pick
out those who noted for their success and COM
and ability. In many cases they persuade
the older planters to engage in the work, and that
with great difficulty. Take, for instance, old
Georgia farmer who had been growing crops after the
ordinary methods for forty years. The stood
high in his community and it took much persuasion
to get him to promise to set out acre, and work
It the plan About two weeks after that the
Agricultural department man again appeared. He
found nothing doing and asked the planter why he
not carrying out his part of the contract
ITO tell the TRUTH my man. never thought you
would be around again"
But you promised to set out that acre and plant
II Just / told you"
80 did" was the reply, land that you have
come again I will do it,"
WELL" said the agent suppose we go out now
and start your to blowing, and will como
around every week and how you are following my
instructions"
The old man laughed but he went with the agent
to the barn and picked ou9 the tools. Among his
farm implements a subsoiling plow that he said
good because 1t powed too deep for his land.
The agent insisted, however that 1t all right and
he did not leave until four mules hitched\to it
and the ground was broken up to what the planter
said was ruinous depth. He then the land har-
rowed and instructed the farmer about his seed and
how to plant 1t.
To make long story short, the cotton came up
with more vigor than any raised on that land
before, and when later on, the old man asked
cultivator the crop TO cut out the weeds
and keep down the he replied that II would ruin
the cotton, and when the agent insisted, saying he
would guarantee him against loss the planter gave
the order but went away with tears in his eyes say
ing he could not stay there and his crop torn to
pieces He surprised to iud however, that the
cotton grow better than and when, the end of
the season, he found that he had gotten two bales OF
cotton from that acre, whereas the rest of his land
had produced less than one-fourth that amount he
became an active government supporter His neigh
bors at first thought It be the seed and they
paid him 81 bushe for all that from that acre
Lately he met the agent again and in speaking his
conversion, said:
II am now over so years old and have farmed
forty years. but 1t is only two years since have
learned how TO farm"
The demonstration men give me many stories like
this. They show something Of this movement which
is permeating the south. and which promises TO
make It far richer than ever before
FRANK @. CARPENTER