Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1912-02-08
HELP THE BOYS TO FORM CORN
CLUBS.

HELP THE BOYS TO FORM CORN
CLUBS.
The News is in receipt of the fol
lowing letter from Prof. J. W. Abel,
of Pikeville, relative TO his success in
getting the Corn Club movement start
ed in his county. However, he had
the advantage of generous support,
which will make any measure success
full. Prof. Stevens Of Jasper, has been
working along same lines, but we do
not understand that he has met with
success, and it does not seem that q
county movement to centre at Jasper
has the people interested. We sug-
gest, if this is the sticking point, that
clubs be organized in different places
over the county. Sequachee surely can
get up a few prizes for its local boys
to contend for, and the News will be
glad to assist. Let us know If you
will give a prize for best corn grow
ing, and how much, and let's start the
move in Sequachee, anyway.
s'Last September | became principal
of the Bledsoe County High School at
this place, and from the first was in
terested in developing a course that
would be in keeping with the splendid
natural agricultural advantages OF the
valley. Not being an agriculturalist,
| have been able to do but little this
year except to develop sentiment for
an agricultural course in the school
next year. That | feel / am doing
successfully. First, by organizing a
Boys Corn Club to let them and their
parents see that there is much in
scientific farming and the need of the
course, then ask the court for an app
preparation to meet it.
The Club / am organizing on the
plans outlined by the Department of
Agriculture for boys from 10 to Is
years of age, and propose to offer the
following prizes:
gas. 90 for the greatest yield of corn
on an acre of ground $t5. 90 for sec
ond $40. 90 for next. and $500 for
next.
$t5. 90 for the best ten ears of corn
displayed at a corn show at the court
house next fall; $40. 90 for second;
$5. 90 for third; s.. 90 fol next; $3. 90
for next; 81. 90 for next, and $1.OO for
the next.
Then, $40. 90 for the best written re-
port Of the growing of the coin; IS. 90
for next; 81. 90 for next, etc.
OF the $125. 90 necessary for these
prizes, in about four or five hours l
have raised among the business men
$67. so in subscriptions and have prom
Use from several others, which l am
sure will aggregate the amount neces-
sarv. I have some thirty boys enroll
ed and expect to run the club much
higher.
The matter has grown considerably
on me since I first took it up and / see
no reason now why the whole valley
should not be trawn into a similar
plan. The Central of Georgia last
year gave a $500 mule for the best acre
raised in any county through which it
runs. Why not have our local clubs
and then ask the N, G. & st. L., to
give a prize to this branch of their
liner
| have taken the matter up with
Prof. Stevens at Jasper, Prof. Bynum
at Whitwell, and Prof. F~reiley at
Dunlap. Mr.. Stevens seems quite en-
thusiastic over it. Prof. Freiley would
like to see it go, but as yet | have not
heard from Mr. Bynum.
Ii is through Rev. Mr.. Jones, OF
Whitwell, that l am writing you. He
says you are interested in pushing all
progressive movements of the COM
munity and feels sure you will be in
terested In this Any publicity you
may see tit to give to the cause and
any assistance you may render in eff
fecting local organizations will be APP
preciated.
Yours very truly.
j. W. Abel.
P. S. l am in touch with Mr.. Tbos,
A. EARLY, Care Commercial Club.
Memphis, who.is a special agent for
the Department of Agriculture. He is
a great enthusiast and n of the best
sneakers / have heard in many a day.
He is to notify me this week as to
what day be could be with us at an
educational rally the last of February
or first of March. It might be, If you
could use him, we could arrange to
have him ep the valley in a three
or four days campaign. j. W. A.