The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-10-14
ADVISES STUDY :.
OF THE COUNTY
1t Is a kindergarten Approach
To Economics and Sociol-
ogy, Says Professor.

tBy S. r. WINTERS.)
Chapel Hin. Oct. ll.-That the
study Of the facts and forces In the
life OF the home county is o sort Of
kindergarten approach to the formal
study OF economies and sociology in
our universities is the idea that Pro.
lessor +. G. Branson. a native Of Rail
eigh, now Of the University Of Gecr-
gia, and editor OF one Of the leading
farm journals OF the South, presented
to the student body OF the University
OF North Carolina In an address here
Thursday night. His address WAS fol-
lowed up by a three dayx practical
application OF the idea that the home
State and h home county are proper
subjects OF study for the University
OF North Carolina through the me-.
diums OF the organized county clubs.
Thus the university students have for
many entered upon their work In
studying and graphing with the
workaday gzohlams back in their
home counties, with the Georgia club
as promoted by Professor Branson, rs
a guide.
The work of the Georgia club, and
hence the work OF the county clubs
of the university. vas TO thoroughly
know It's home county; to ascertain
exact figures relative to population.
I~eA oA0
wealth and taxation. public roads.
public sanitation. schools and church
les This Information makes a clean
sweep Of the economic interests Of
the count and the survey Is publish
ed in the county newspapers To
quote the words OF Professor Branson.
to know 1.-The economic and social con-
lGitions, auses, consequences. drifts.
and tendencies; about the forces that
SO largely in the past AVE mad the
history We now study and that are SO
largely determining the history our
tchildren will study in the future"
Why is the county. gaining or losing
in home ownership. or in crop aver
ages. or in church and school advan-
taEes, or in NliterAcy and crime? are
Questions which h Georgia club fer
Ireted out by this sweeping economic
investigation through the medium Of
q county to county survey.
: 1t is this task that the county clubs
lof the university ropos to accom-
!. lplish during the" year in many OF the
:. counties. The campaign has already
!. begun and Johnston county has paved
, the a Professor rxnsO holding
I up this county a. a typical one &c
I launch such an important move
I To know on which side OF the Hell
: lespont Sestos is. is all good and wei
e but IN which side our bread is butter
! ed is OF far more importance, Il th<
\ doctrine that Professor Branson wouit
e tinculcate into the minds OF every col
e tlege bred man. Or the honey OF Hy
: mettus Is of less importance to thu
average man than the revival OF be-
I farming in a nearby county. Tn
e Georgia club sought to know abou
1.-THE water powers, the forest and min
n teral wealth, and other natural resor
!. ces Of the home State and 1t wa
Through the methods OF a county (
n county survey that this information
It was accurately gathered.
o Such Is the work undertaken by tn
', county clubs OF the universe eac'
n club seeking to know the advantage
It OF It's individual county. or II II hn
fallen into a state OF lethArgy in min
leral growth then 1t will be incumben
upon the club to search for cause.
le In excess OF 80 per cent OF the stude
ir body OF $50 OF the university sons G
a North Carolina and to acQuAint then
Is selves with the resources and poss
which they set out to accomplish b
Of the cooperation OF the university al
d liberties