The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-02-19

80 ilol Teal agriculture. Good text
DOCKS give great many valua bic sug-
sestions about agriculture, but the
real science can only be learned by
practice upon the farm The laws in
number of Southern States require
that agriculture should be taught in
the common schools. but compliance
with the law was mainly zero The
difhculty was increased by the fact
that nearly three-fourths OF the rura,
teachers were women"
An Educational Acre.
The difficulty was met by organic
ing tho Boys Corn Clubs The coun-
t. superintendent Of public instructor
ana the rural teachers select the bows
and organize the clubs. The farmers
co operative demonstration work Of
the United States Department Of Ae
rlculture furnishes the plan and the
instructors; the teacher sees that each
boy thoroughly understands them. and
the county farm demonstra ton agents
assist in supervision OF the field work.
Each boy takes one acre upon his
.ather farm and works IT under the
instructions. and a t the end of the
season he must furnish complete ac-
count Of each field operation and its
cost. for the prize is for the largest
Yield at the lowest cost per bushel.
The bankers and merchants furnish
the prizes. There is also a specia,
honor prize. The boy who wins in hi,
county is awarded a diploma by the
Governor of the State The boy who
stands highest in the State is given
free trip to Washington; and is
awarded diploma by the secretary
of agriculture
The Boys Corn Clubs have accom-
Plished more than was deemed possible.
study agriculture and how 10 applv
written instructions TO the farm. They
nave given the boys new and larger
view or the possibilities OF the soil.
ana they are filed with an ambition
70 become great farmers because they
nave achieved something Of note and
they sec great future IN the vcca-
tion The boy in the club has learned
one thing we'll and he will strive for
the rest.
There is more In, this Boys Corn
Cup work than merely learning how
20 produce a good crop OF corn: it has
suddenly transformed boys into men
aad In some cases into heroes It has
also been a most potent Instrumental
lily IN influencing their fathers to adopt
better methods. There are some farm
crs who Will not accept modern sys-
tenn of farming They persist in using
implements and methods antiuuatcd .
thousand years ago. But when their
noys make great corn crop and bring
home The prizes, they mellow and
come across ("
The boys have solved the problem Of
cheaper food for the masses-niore
corn and how to raise It, Nine South
ern States--Yirginia. North Carolina,
south Carolina. Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana. Arkansas and
in 1910 over l6S, o00,-
eoO bushels more corn than in 800. To
46.22o boys In the clubs, studying and
making corn, is due a large measure
Of credit for the achievement.
Here's Corn-GrowInE For You.
/. The Boys Corn Club work for 1910
Is showing some wonderful yields. In
one club Of forty-eight boys in MissIs-
slppl the average was ninety-two
Snsnels per acre. Nineteen boys in
South Carolina received certificates
from the government for great yields.
Many boys in the different States. pro-
duced over so bushels per acre, and n
Few went beyond 200 bushels to the
acre Jerry II, Moore, Of Florence,
South Carolina, fifteen years of age,
son OF country Methodist preacher,
holds the record for the highest yield
Tor the year. 22S ia bushels, weighed
ana measured by three responsible
men.
Where teachers did not organize a
ciup. In some cases the field agent OF
the Farmers Demonstration work or
sanized them. James II. Kelly, OF
Hicoiu, South Carolina. formed a club.
and IN his final report gave the fol-
lowing instance:
one boy in our club was very anxi-
Gus 70 work an acre in corn. IIis faith
cI gave him one on condition that no
"is gu, tho pine stumps and pay all
expenses After the boy had gotten
out nearly all tho stumps In the field
me iather took that acre and gave him
anolhcr upon the Same condition. The
BOY went TO work, cleaned this nav