The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-26


the farmer, such as farm demonstra-
ton wok carried on by the national
department Of agriculture, Clemson
College extension work and the work
of experimental stations, not more
than one-fifth Of the agricultural pop
ulati0n Of the State Is being reach
ed. How to reach the other four
nfths was the problem that Col Wat
son set himself to solve. To reach
them by means Of railroads was out
OF the question, for these farmers,
WHO ought to be instructed in up-to-
date methods of farming. live any
where from five to twenty or thirty
miles from any railroad station. They
might be able to see in the distance
the Clemson-Winthrop agricultural
train as it swept onward to its desti .
nation, where demonstrative and in
structive work would be shown, but
they had no way OF getting there.
So caStlhg about in his mind for the
easiest solution Of the way to help
these unreached farmers, Col Wat
son thought Of the automobile. The
very thing! Here is what he says
about it: Il realized that the auto
mobile has done much to revolu-
tionize farm life in the State, and to
II.
Of its mission. i realized that il could
be made the means of educating the
farmer crying for education on farm
ing lines, and at the same time serve
its completest mission Of building
good roads, bringing the distant
farm to the market doors. / realiz-
ed also that inspection Of products
shipped to crossroads stores could
not be conducted in any other way
and that a knowledge OF this fac,
was making unscrupulous dealers
bold Then / consulted with many
farmers all over the State and all
were enthusiastic.
After consultation with the Cover
nor Of the State, to whom the plan
was explained, l took the matter w
With the various automobile manu-
fatcurers, and the result is that
have determined to send out de-
partment Of agriculture demonstra-
or rrxriv
the Federal Government and oul
own men, qualified to solve any farm
er's problems at his own farm, with
instructions to stop when possible al
every farm from five to twenty-five
miles from railway station, and a,
every point within that radius thai
promises a group meeting, and tc
show the inquirer what he wants tC
know. A good roads man from the
Federal Office it Is hoped will be car.
rted along. who will accomplish more
than all the bulletins that can ever
be distributed from Washington OF
from any other source. The use OF
the gasoline tractor on the farm i.
likewise to be explained to the masse.
of the people, taking the place OF
animal power"
Unquestionably, this is the mos
advanced step that has ever beer
taken in any country for the cause o.
agriculture, In that it will bring some
SO per cent Of our farming popula.
ton, hitherto unreached, under the
direct instruction Of some of the
country's most scientific agricultural.
lists. II, as Col. Watson says, b,
reaching the one-fifth we could show
an increase in one years time Of $31,.
100000, what may we not expec
when the four-fifths are reached? B,
all manner Of means, then, let IL.
have this agricultural training b,
automobile. 1t will do more towards
advancing the prosperity Of the State
and solving the question OF cheape,
living than anything yet attempted
1t would pay II it cost the lives OF
fifty automobiles to do the work.
The idea is to stop along the route
at any point in response to any farm
er wanting suggestions or advice. The
plant expert. for instance, who is
along, will make examinations and
give advice and so, also, will the 9TH
ers.
The next trip will be into the Pee
Dee section and Governor Blease will
probably accompany the party and
attend some Of the meetings.
1t is altogether likely that the de-
mand for this expert service, directly
on the farm, will be so great that an
other automobile will have to be