The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-09-27

Realizing that they were not getting
the best results from the hundreds of
fertile acres which they have been cul-
tivating, the farmers of Wayne Coun-
ty, were among the first to employ
an agricultural expert under the new
state law They believed the methods
their fathers used were not adapted
to present conditions.
They read and studied. In the cit
les they noted the constant efforts
to increase efficiency. Everywhere
the principles of science were being
applied to business. Efficiency en-
gineers and graduate experts were or
ganizing the world on a new basis.
They read of the results agricultural
schools and colleges were getting by
the study and application of science.
Secure Expert Advice.
While they felt that their crops were
good and their progress steady, they
wanted to advance more rapidly, and
to increase the products Of their farms
manifold, if possible. When oppor-
tunity offered they secured the serv-
ices of Alexander d. Cobb as county
agricultural expert,
Cobb is d young man, who was rear
ed on a farm, and has been Interested
in farming all his life. He was gradu-
ated from Purdue university with the
degree bachelor of science in agricul-
ture in 1911. After completing his
education he began working out his
ideas on his farm near Aurora, where
he stayed until called to accept his
present position in Wayne county.
Studies Local Field.
After almost three months spent
in studying the conditions and the
needs of the county, Expert Cobb made
the following statement regarding the
situation:
wayne county is recognized as one
of the best farming counties in the
state. In general the farmers are fol
lowing good practices. They are farm
ing with the proper rotation of crops.
The farmers are progressive, as shown
by the splendid cooperation with the
county agent, which is evidence that
If there is anything in the new work,
they will get the good from it.
ut is this spirit that will, Of itself,
make the work a success. l have al
ready been made to feel that l am one
of them
81 want the farmers Of the county
to feel that l am always at their serv-
ice, and while many questions will
naturally arise, which l can not ans
wcr, l am constantly in touch with
men who may be able to give the re-
quired information.
County Is Prosperous.
'Tn this season Of drouth, when 9TH
suffering, Wayne county has been won
derfully blessed. Her graneries are
filled to overlooking with the big
wheat yield; a good crop of corn
awaits the harvest.
"Such crops inspire confidence With
it and cooperation, the work of the
county agent will be a success"
Expert Cobb started to work July l..
The first month he spent getting &C
quainted. He visited many farms in
all parts Of the county analyzing the
soil, and studying the condition OF the
crops.
The progressive spirit and the inter
est of the farmers was manifented
shortly after Cobb established his Of
flee at the court house. BY the end
of the second week calls for visits
from different farmers were coming in
fast enough to keep him GatGd two
weeks ahead.
Farmers Seek Advic0.
All were eager to profit by his sci
entific training. Many cnne with
specific problems, relating 20 the pre-
paration of the seed b@G Tor next
years wheat crop. questions of stock
raising, and OTHER isGues that the farm
err meets every day as he goes about
his work. Others merely asked him
to lock over their land and to make
suggestions for future improvements
and experiments.
Cobb says that since he came to the
county, the questions asked him have
covered practically every phase of
farming from gardening to barn build
ing.
about the last of July, the farmers
nesr Middleboro asked Cobb to meet
with them at the Columbian school