The Forrest City times., 1912-02-23
PROGRESS MADE
 IN AGRICULTURE
Wonderful Strides Are Made In Arkansas.---Peopie
 Give Aid.
COMING YEAR TO BE BETTER
With a Strong Force of Men in the Field and Cooperation Wonder
 ful Results Are Expected.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
 Washington, D. C.-Secretary Will son has received the following re- port on department demonstration work in Arkansas
 "Of the 75 counties in Arkansas. 61 are being worked under the agents of the farmers cooperative demonstra- tion work. The work was begun in this state in 1907 and has from the very first had the best of cooperation and encouragement from all of the forces doing agricultural work in the state. The rapid progress along agricultural lines in Arkansas is SO noticeable that outside parties have made special mention of it on numer- ous occasions. By well-planned management of the demonstration work the educational campaign has been kept well in advance of the boil weevil, consequently the usual busi- ness demoraliZation and labor dis turbances that accompany the weevil have been largely prevented Diversi- fication of crops, good preparation of soil, better live stock and improved have all been advocated and their use pretty thoroughly established throughout the state.
 The financial aid for the work in Arkansas has been most liberal. Com mercial organizations and the quorum courts have contributed funds in all most every county in which the work is being carried on. The amount con- tributed locally in 1911 was more than $l6,000 There has been given for the 1912 work already more than $35.- 900. Some counties have supplement- ed the departments funds sufficiently to put in two igh-priced agents. One of the chief causes for this hearty CO., operation in a financial way by the local authorities is that this was one of the conditions made when the work was first introduced into the state each county was to contribute at least half of the expenses of the agent in that county. The plan has worked out admirably so far
 There were 2.760 demonstrators and 9,7Ss co-operators in 1911. repre- senting a total of more than .000 acres. About as many more acres were influenced by the work, of which we have no direct record.
 "The average increase in the yield from the demonstration farms was from 90 to 100 per cent. both cot ton and corn. The corresponding in- crease in various other crops of which we keep no record may be safe ly counted on. These figures would indicate that a better method gener- ally adopted over the state of Arkan- sas would increase it's income several millions of dollars annually. The nota- ble agricultural improvement and pro- gress in Arkansas cannot of course be attributed to the effects of the demonstration work but it may safe ly claim to have been a great factor in bringing about the change and mapping out the course along safe and economic lines
 With the strong force of men in the field for 1912. with the liberal CO., operation of the state department of agriculture, the agricultural college and experiment station people, and all the state officials. backed up with this liberal financial cooperation. we hope to be able to accomplish some remarkable results for the year"