The Washington herald., 1913-03-02
BY JAMES b. MORROW.

Washington March IA lean. gray
man riding pony through the red
dust of Texas, stopped at field and
cotton. The gray man was w. F
Proctor, of Tyler. The name OF the
field owner is not essential.
Friend" said Proctor. "I want to
help you improve your condition"
Pumps, churns, or lightning rods?
asked the field-owner sarcastically.
Neither" Proctor answered good
naturedly I'd like to know if you
will plant an acre of cotton-only one
acre, you understand-accord to my
instructions. l am an agent OF the
Agricultural Department in Washing
ton II seems TO me. as / look at your
field, that you might double your crop
with a little extra labor"
stranger" the farmer replied. shout
ing bis words. as is customary with
those who deal and work in the open
Il was born on the southeast side of a
cotton stalk. That's where l live at
present No man from Washington.
d. C. can learn me anything about
cotton"
..Nevertheless.' Proctor said. getting
off his pony, and Notwithstanding, l
can tell you more IN TWO minutes IMAM
you can absorb in two months. You
don't know how to pick cotton. let
alone the other and more important
branches of the business. l see your
two sons are helping you this morning.
I'll agree to pick two rows against you
and the boys and prove my assertion.
Now it happened that w. +. Proc
tor slim. long-armed. and strong
legged. was famous in and around lF-
Ter as picker. The challenge was
accepted and the contest was on the
next minute Proctor fairly ate UP
his rows and won the race by fifteen
wards or more. Then he picked back
on the two rows Of the farmer and his
boys and met them. steaming with
perspiratiou and looking astonished
and Inundated.
Brother" the farmer exclaimed.
throwing his hat on the ground. 4
don't know your name and don't car"
2 darn. hut I'll believe any hing YOU
toll IN" her"after.
Seaman \. Knapp. Great Idea.
THE acre. was planted the next sea
son Proctor proved his case again.
Since then the Texas planter has fol
lowed tn" new methods and increased
his yield Of cotton almost 500 pounds
to the acre There are hundreds Of
aud SOM. in huggies. carrying Seamon
4 Knapp's great idea to the aGricul-
iuriSts Of America. II is called CO.
operative demonstration work among
he farmers and is one of the mighty
.auSrS which ar" adding 10 the wealth
II the nation and helping landowners
pav their debts. huild better houses,
and buy new machinery and automo-
hiles.
In some States the Knapp idea has
imcreaS"d the Weld of cotton S2t
pounds to the acre and doubled the
harvest Of corn. II can be applied
to wheat. hay. and live stock and to
potatoes. fruits. and vegetables. In
deed il is for tho whole country. al
though it has been tested so far in the
South alone. because it was there that
aid was most needed Seaman A
Knapp originated no agricultural pro-
c":s"s: he mad" no agricultural dis
c"voras His idea had to do alto
Eethcr with tho teaching of other mems
methods
Bulletins and books. he said. would
never reach the farmer. or. If reaching
him. would fail to convince and con-
vert The farmer. he declared. had 20
L.. shown ami not preached at with
ink and paper. So he went into tn"
fields with tn" new religion concerning
agriculture and did his proselying
with n pillow and harrow instead Of
with tract. : speculation in Louisiana
astr"uS in sense-gave him the idea