The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-03-09

News and Courier.
| The rotation Of crops, the work of
boys corn clubs, the marketing and
distribution of crops
! Rotation of Crops.
The chief speaker Of the meeting
was Mr.. w. w. Long, field agent of
the farmers cooperative demonstra-
ton work in the United States, with
headquarters in Washington. In spite
OF the fact that the speaker had just
recovered from a severe attack of la
grippe, he managed to make his ad-
dress interesting in every particular.
| Rotation Of Crops was the sub
ject about which Mr.. Long wove his
address. He sounded solemn note
of warning regarding the careless
and slipshod manner in which the
American farmer treated his soil. The
continual growing Of one crop on the
same plot Of land will in a short time
make it unfit to grow anything at
all. Unless the farmers Of this coun-
try learn to do better in this respect
1T will mean that the Union in a COM
paratively short time will find want
staring 1t In the face. In support Of
this statement Mr.. Long brought for
ward the fact that during the last de-
cade the population Of the country
had gained about 21 per cent, while
wheat had increased only about 1
bushel per acre. Corn had decreas-
ed per cent during that time. While
the population Of the country has
been gaining year by year, the farm
ers nave taken no steps to keep
abreast Of this increase in the mat
ter OF increased crop production.
| The Legislatures, both State and
National. are almost entirely respon-
sible for this condition Of affairs. The
commercial life Of the country is con-
stantly receiving the attention Of the
government, said Mr.. Long, but prac-
tically nothing is being done for ag-
riculture, upon which rests the very
prosperity Of the country. How diff
ferently is this subject handled in
other countries. Germany, for in
stance, raises an average of % BUSH
els Of wheat to the acre; the United
States raised IA per acre. Germany
Is not nearly as large as the State of
Texas, and yet the little country has
2S universities and over 400 colleges
and schools devoted to the teaching
OF agriculture. What have we here
to take the place of these schools,
asked Mr.. Long Nothing but the
fertilizer agent, whose business 1t is
to sell commercial fertilizers, and not
to teach the farmers and planters
what is best for their work.
"Our whole educational system has
totally ignored agriculture" said Mr..
Long. 'The subject has been throt-
tied in both the State and National
Legislatures. In my opinion, there
never was a rlme when the value or
the rotation Of crops can be ham,
mered home as effectively as right
now, with the minds of our Southern
farmers still taken up with the low
price Of cotton, just after having
raised bumper crop"
Mr.. Long also spoke briefly of the
work now contemplated Jointly by
Clemson College and the agents in
charge of the farmers cooperative
demonstration work in South Caro-
lima. The task set is to open the
mind Of the uneducated and remotely
located farmer to the advantages of
scientific planting and growing These
| agencies will furnish him with the ne
cessary information as to the best and
most modern way to raise corn and
other crops, and will leave him to
carry out the experiment himself 1t
has been shown conclusively that once
the farmers cooperation has been
secured. he will always be ready to
receive additional advice from the
Government
Benefit to Boys.
Prof. Hadden was first called upon
to address the meeting. He confined
his talk to the work Of the Boys Corn
Clubs is the State. THE boys corn
clubs are the greatest open-air schools
ever founded in this world" Mr.. Had.
don remarked during the course Of
his speech. Under their influence
the boys OF our country are becom-
ing doctors of sick soil and i'll plants.
4 HaNn thnlluht of