The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-06-24
OPPORTUNITY
For The Boys Of This Country
TO Raise Corn.
Congressman TaveDner Gives
Some Suggestions
10y consressman clyde n. ravenner)

(ey Congressman Clyde n. Tavenner)
Washington, June 21--"Boys, grow
corn" is now established as the slo-
gan Of the Department Of Agriculture.
The sentence has taken the place of
Horace Greeley's famous advice:
young man, go west"
In the past five or six years the
Department Of Agriculture has shown
by demonstration that for young men
there is greater opportunity in pro.
ducing the gold of the corn crop than
there ever was in gathering the gold
from the placer mines of California.
For no 10.year period has the corn
yield of the United States exceeded
an average of 20 bushels per acre.
Not even the most fertile state has ev-
er produced over "a bushels per acre.
Yet in practically every section Of the
country yields Of over 100 bushels are
continually being produced by good
farmers.
There are untold billions of dollars
which can be added to the wealth of
the nation by increasing the corn
production. No other line of activity
offers such opportunities.
The hope Of the Department and OF
the country is in the boys. They,
more quickly than men grasp the SCI
entifc principles underlying the sue
cessful breeding Of corn for greater
crops. Youthful enthusiasm guaran-
tees that the principles once learned
will be applied to actual corn produc-
ton with conscientiousness and per.
severance.
Consequently we see the great and
growing organizations Of Boys corn
clubs, promoted by schools. states. in
dependent organizations and the ma
tional Department Of Agriculture.
Each year the champion boy corn
growers Of each state are given q free
trip to Washington, where they meet
the President and receive diplomas
from the Secretary Of Agriculture.
The work Of getting boys interested
In championship corn contests has ad-
vanced to a point where the Depart
ment is now showing It's hand-how
It intends to utilize this organization
Of boys in the future. A bulletin might
have been written in this form:
WANTED: A boy in every corn.
growing county of the United States,
who can prove his ability as farmer
by several years of superior work In
the corn contests, to act for the rest
of his life as the official seed-corn
grower and distributor in his county
for the government. Pleasant and
profitable work. For further informa-
ton apply to Office Of Corn Investiga-
tions, Department of Agriculture,
Washington, d. c.
In other words, it is the intention
of the Department to effect pernan'
ent organization of boy champion
corn growers. On in each county is
desired. BY improving seed and fur
nishing it to the farmers of his county
he will help toward the general plan
of doubling the American corn crop.
The name of the new bulletin is:
"How to Grow an Acre Of Corn" II
ia a corn-grower's textbook, written
in short, pithy paragraphs, each CIV
ing a suggestion on how to improve
corn.
Boys have splendid opportunities
to produce better varieties than have
ever been produced" is the promise
held out.
1t is also pointed out that while
corn sells commercially for so or Is
cents per bushel, the successful corn
breeder can sell his corn to his neigh
bors for seed for $2 or 50 bushel
A boy who can grow 100 bushels Of
this sort OF corn on an acre spends
very profitable summer
Every boy In town, village or the
country who has access to an acre Of
ground ought to write to his congress
nan for this bulletin and get into the
cora growing contest.