Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-02-07
THE BOYS CORN CLUB.
More Than Three Thousand Members
Enrolled.

were over o,UUU ileIIlDeTS tlIoiieu III
the School Boys Corn clubs of South
Carolina last year, and of that number
more than 1000 members made report
Of the yield and manner Of culture or
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 ex-
pected to report. or these more than
1000 none reported yields less than 50
bushels and the great majority Of them
came near the IS bushel mark. These
experience gained by last years work
enrolled for this year, and with the
proper work, may be reasonably ex-
pected to increase their yield as much
as 25 bushels.
It Is noteworthy that the $40 highest
yields reported averaged over 81 BUSH
els per acre. OF this number, one
raised 22S, one made III, sixmade 150
100 made 100 bushels and more than
200 made 75 bushels per acre. None OF
the remaining 2,7OO reporting made less
than so bushels, and the majority OF
them just missed the Is bushel mark
Averaging the whole 1t is seen that
more than 1000 boys on South Caro-
lima farms last year made an average
of over s. 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, 1t will be realized
that the boys corn clubs have done a
wonderful thing; and the best Of 1t all,
said Mr.. williams Is the fact that
wherever you find one Of these boys
with his wonderful yield Of corn, you
find q center Of intense interest In the
modern manner 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 thirty-si counties Of the state
last year there were farmers acting as
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 sue
cessful farmer, 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 agriculture, one In
each Of the thirty-six 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 mod
ernizing of farm methods in those Sec
tions that the oldest inhabitants al
most 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 making the
farmer independent, such as potatoes,
both kinds, peas, and small fruits, were
encouraged, not to say required. Some
of the farms made wonderful demon
strations Of what farmer can raise at
home, and at the same time be build
ing up his land, and increasing his
acreage, and his production per acre.
The common vegetables Of the kitch-
en- garden were raised In abundance.
both for home consumption, and for
sale in the nearby markets both In
their fresh state and canned or dried.
It is a grand fact that thousands of
farmers in the state, are this winter
feasting on the products Of their farms,
where heretofore they have existed on
the bought bread and meat of the
western farmer. They are living in di-
versified abundance.
Besides these small demonstration
farms and local agents Of the govern
ment the agricultural department
maintains under strict supervision
large demonstration farms in the diff
ferent sections of the state. Probably
the most important Of these at this
time, is the Hitchcock farm in Aiken
county. On this farm not only the
practical and scientific modern farming
is taught, in so far as 1t 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 the
most modern hygienic cow, and dairy
barns in the country. Here the dairy
herd is kept under the closest inspec-
ton, and every item in the production
of milk and butter is carefully weigh
ed in the balance Of practicability, and
sanitation. The horses barn is moo
el Of convenience and healthfulness for
the animals kept in it, as we'll as from
the standpoint of convenience for the
farmer.
The farm is equipped with electric
lights and water power-from an arte-
sian well-and all the machinery of
the place is electrically driven. This Is
accomplished at little first cost and at
practically nothing for upkeep, by har-
Messing one of the streams on the place
by means of a common water wheel
that produces power enough from the
stream to run all the machinery and
lights, and pump the water.
Showing the Importance of the work
accomplished by the young boys who
showed the world the possibilities of
the state in the raising of corn, Jerry
Moore, the winner Of the first prize,
and a number of the other contestants,
including one Georgia boy were called
before the department officials and
closely questioned as to their method
in the success that they had accom-
plished. The questions and answers at
this interview have been reproduced,
and incorporated in the bulletin which
has just been issued by the depart
ment, and is now ready for distribu-
tion to all who make a request tor
same To the department This bulle-