The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-05-06
COUNTY BOYS WILL
GROW CORN IN
PRIZE CONTEST
Competition Open to All Boys
Between 10 and IS
CLUBS TO BE ORGANIZED
Young AgricuIturists viii Receive
Assistance from Government
Experts.

Last year in the towns OF Matches
ter and Dorset a boys corn-growlng
contest was conducted by local con.
mittee interested in the same. Some
fifty boys entered the contest and,
with the exception of few, each OF
these boys presented their best ten
ears of corn in competition at the ex-
hibition at Manchester Center in NOV
ember Five prizes were awarded, all
in the form of watches given by J. b.
Wilbur of Manchester. 1t is hardly
necessary to state that the boys that
took part in this contest gained much
experience therefrom and their par
ents and neighbors as we'll as them
selves found much of interest in this
work
So successful was last years con-
test that this year another contest
will be carried on. This will, how
ever. differ materially from last
years contest. First of all, the con-
test shall be countrywide and all boys
between the ages of ten and eighteen
inclusive, will be eligible to compete.
Again, not only will a local commit
tee direct the work, but the U. 5. De-
partment of Agriculture will furnish
much help such as sending instruC
lions from time to time to the boys
in the contest. Another change will
be made. namely, the contestants will
be expected to form clubs for the pur-
pose OF getting together occasionally
and discussing the various methods
of growing corn. Experts from the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture will come into the county occa-
slonally to meet the boys and instruct
them personally, and in addition to
this the county agricultural agent Will
aid the boys in every way possible.
AS for prizes, detailed announce
ments will be made latter, though II
can be definitely stated at the pres
ent time that there will be in the
neighborhood Of 800 to $3.50 avail
able for these prizes.
Each boy joining the corn club
must be between the ages OF ten and
eighteen years, as already stated. He
shall agree to grow plot of corn eth
err one acre or one half acre in size,
doing all work except blowing him
self. Furthermore, he shall agree to
follow instructions given him by the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture, attend local and county meet
ings, exhibit his corn at the corn club
or other fairs, keep record or expen-
ses, income, observations and work.
At the close of the season he must al
so make out a regular crop report On
the blank furnished by the Depart
ment of Agriculture and forward same
to the county agent at Manchester.
when completed.
The size of the plat which the club
member agrees to grow must be eth
er an acre or half acre. AS the stan
dard plat used in corn club work in
other parts OF the United States is an
acre in size, il is to be preferred that
this be the same here, at least for the
sake of comparison. Consequently.
all boys interested in growing corn in
connection with corn club work
should plan to grow the acre plat, If
possible. Prizes will be offered for
the best yields on half acre plats, but
will not compare with those offered
for growing of the the acre plats.
In the Manchester and Dorset con-
test of last year seed corn for contest
work was furnished to the boys by the
Manchester committee. Here. again,
is a difference in this years work.
instead of giving the bays seed corn
the contestants will be expected to
furnish their own seed. This puts the
contestants on a more even footng-in
that they must select their own seed
in growing their crops. This is fully
as important as blowing and cultiva-
ton. or fertilization. for that mattea
Boys should know what seed corn is
and the only way to know is by ger
testing and experience.
All boys interested in boys corn
club work as above outlined, should
talk matters over with their parents
and obtain their consent to take a
piece of land for the work There is
no objection to taking one OF the
acres which ones father intends to
plant, providing all of the work, with
the exception. perhaps, Of the plow-
ing, should be done by the boy. After
receiving parents consent, address ].
L. Sherman. County Agent, Manches-
ter, Vermont, and he will enroll you
as club member. Do not delay, for
time is getting very short and much
work. such as seed testing and soil
must be done before
planting time comes on. For that rea-
son write the county agent immedi-
ately.
II. Sherman f,ountx Aren't