Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-12-06
|OUT|ES IF THE COUNTY AGENT State Agent Watson Writes Philpot and Outlines Ex-
 pert's Services. AID TO THE FARMERS Demonstration Flats Should Be Es- tab]ished in Every Township
 in the County.
AID TO THE FARMERS

Because of the recent discussion that has been occasioned over the fail ure of the Jefferson County Levying Court to select or ask County Judge Phllpot to select crop expert for the demonstration work of the government in this county the con- ing year, State Agent c. w. Watson has addressed a letter to Judge Phil pot. in which he fully explains the du- ties of a government agent. work ing under the auspices of county. His letter will be of interest to the farmers especially and will set at rest much discussion on the subject It follows:
 Little Rock, Ark, Dec. 3. 1912. Judge c. M. Philpot,
 Pine Bluff, Ark.
 Dear Sir:-
 A great many of the farmers and business men have received the wrong impression as to the duties of the Demonstration Agent, and I desire to outline his duties, in order that there may be no misunderstanding in the future
 The duties of the local agent are to establish Demonstration plats in certain localities over the county in which he works. He is to establish these plats so that as many people of iently visit them in order to receive instructions. Uusually, from twenty four to fifty Demonstration plats are located in the county, depending en- tirely on the size of the farm and thickly settled community. No man can visit every farmer in the coun- ty and it is not the intention of our work for the agent to undertake this enormous task, but he is required to secure the names of the farmers in and near his Demonstration plat and notify them on what day and hour he is to visit said plat, in order that as many farmers as care to, can be there and get his instructions in or der that he may give as many farm CTS instructions as possible. In this way. every farmer in the county who desires to, can receive instructions and get the, ideas brought out on these Demonetration bplats. This will enable the agent to visit such pla3i often enough to keep the work going in every township in the county.
 In addition to this, his duties will be to organize the Boys Corn Club, which is usually done in December, January or February, by visiting tho various public schools over the coun- ty and holding meetings and secur- ing Corn Club members, a list of which members will be mailed to the Assistant State Agent at Little Rock, and said names will be forwarded to the Washington office and placed on the regular mailing list. from which they will receive bulletins and the necessary information regarding the Corn Club work. Where the Canning Club work is conducted in a county, l it will be the duty of the local agent 1 to assist in every way possible in or ganizing the canning club and advis- ing canning club members as to how to prepare the soil, etc. A demonstra- | ton agent is supposed to be the ag- ricultural advisor of his county, and | to secure much information through the colleges of agriculture and other sources for the farmers and business men of his county. After the crop is made, it will be the duty of the agent to hold field meetings in the various townships, for the purpose of teach ing the proper method of selecting seed in the field and to assist in conducting county fairs, etc. In this way, the agent will be able to get in touch with every man in the county who desires the benefit of the demon stration work. It is useless for the agent to undertake to conduct work and spend his time with any farmer who does not want his advice, and any farmer who desires information will find the local agent ready at all times to render such assistance to said farmer.
 The above duties as outlined, will give any agent all that he can do fol twelve months in a year. A full CO operation with the business men and professional men and farmers is ear nestly solicited; the agent must have their support and full cooperation i1 order to get the best results. Records will be ket from the beginning to the close of the year, on each plat, and results obtained in the fall will be published. and the farmer conducting the demonstration plat will certify as to results obtained. This final re- port will be submitted to the state agent for publication.