The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-03

| EN- I'm COntcst-Difercnces Between
Prize Crops and Other Crops Not
cd-Those on the Trip-NIay Enter
Contest.
The party of farm experts bankers.
merchants and others who Left here
at o'clock Wednesday morning to
visit the farms Of those who had en-
tered the City National Bank prize
Icontest returned To the city about
dark in the evening after having visited
farms north and south of the city,
having seen some fine and some poor
crops, having spent an enjoyable if
strenuous day of it, and after having
travelled about fifty miles, more or
less through the county
The party in the four automobiles
consisted of Messrs. G. A Lennon,
president of the City National Bank,
Prof. w. l.. English, of the depart
ment of farm demonstration work at
Clemson College. District Agent l.. l..
Baker. Farm Demonstration Agent J..
Frank Williams, who is also president
of the County Farmers Union, r. b.
Belser. A. V. Snell Fl. L. Scarborough,
A. j. Stubs. E. f. Miller c. L. Stubs,
w. Il. Rowland and Andrew Will
.iams. In the afternoon some Of
these gentlemen dropped out and
others took their place. The automo-
biles for the trip were furnished by
Messrs Scarborough. Rowland. Belser
and the Shaw Motor Company.
OF course the twenty odd farmers
who are competing in the contest
were not all visited during the
day. but number of them were visit
J ed and it Is hoped that an opportunity
} VIII be afforded in the near future
for visit to the others in the contest.
The visit was made for the purpose
of allowing Messrs English, Baker and
Williams, the farm experts in the party
To see and make comparison between
the prize crops and the other crops
! and sufficient difference was seen.
without having to be pointed ouc by
the experts. to make it plain that it
, would be better to plan less and culti-
vate IL more" as Mr.. English tersely
> remarked.
All OF the crops visited were very
+ good, taking all things into consid-
} GRAFTON. some places much more fer
tilizer was used than others ANA the
different Kinds Of land and the varying
: seasons on the different rarms had
. all tended to help or hinder some of
: the farmers more than others.
However, one thing was noticeab BILE
ABOUT all of the farms visited. The
farmers were intensely interested in
the result of the contest and the ex-
pertinent which was being carried on
and each one showed his interest in
his own individual way. A great many
OF the crops needed rain. especially i'm
the sections around Dalzell, Stateburg
and Wedgefeld. South and east of
Sumter the rain was needed in some
places, but not as badly as on the
other side of the city. AT many of
the places visited the farmers had laid
by their corn and cotton. Mr.. English
In most cases advised these farmers tt,
continue To run harrows through their
crops as long as it was possible.
AT most of the places visited the
farmers were ready and waiting for
the party. At all of the places the
party were treated to various farm
delicacies, watermelon being offered
at almost every place. At Mr.. f.. F..
Millers grapes were passed around
ana at Mr.. l.. |. PARROTS place the
party were invited to partake Of a
Dig dinner which was spread out ON
tables under the trees, but there WAS
not sufiicient time to stop. no matter
how much those i'm the marty wou,d
nave liked To-. Much interest was tax
en- IN some places in the coming If
the party and around Providence -
number OF the farmers had gone IN
"oih ana cleared the roadsides of
weeds and bushes and put the road in
better condition. SO that the party
could See the crops better and have
easier riding. Most of the roads were
round To be in very good condition
considering the dry weather but there
were plenty of places where the auto
mobilists got bumps i'm passing.
30 much pleased were the bank Of
hcials at the interest shown i'm the
'""'eS' which they originated that
they have decided to continue tbo