The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-03-18
BETHEL'S RALLY DAY.
Number OF Speakers on Agricultural
Subjects Heard with Interest.

"SuhcSudy, MdTCn II, was DlS
rally day at Bethel School. There
were great many visitors present
and large attendance from the COM
munity to hear Messrs. ]. Frank Will
liams. Miss Mary Lennon. Mr.. Elliott,
Mr.. l.. l.. Baker and Mr.. w. w.
Long give very interesting and help
ful talks on agricultural subjects.
Mr.. Elliott spoke of the Importance
or rotation of crops. lie showed that
by planting and turning oats and
Netch on lands for two consecutive
years. crop of corn or cotton could
be grown on the land the third year
with very little commercial fertiliz-
or. He showed the value of inocu-
lation of plants by germs, illustrating
his talk by exhibiting two plants, the
one green and luxuriant looking
which had been inoculated and the
other without the signs of vitality
he urged farmers to raise feed for
their own stock, saying that people
In adjoining counties had secured hay
from Canada. He said that the "cost
of high living" should not be mixed
with the high cost of living" Every
farmer should keep set Of books,
which would show what was made
or lost on every crop and every field
on the farm. This would enable the
farmer to correct the defects in the
land on which he was losing.
Miss Lennon spoke Of her toma-
to club work. She told how the toma-
to club work could be coordinated
with tine school work. In keeping ac-
count of the tomato work, the pupil
gained an idea of bookkeeping. In
measuring off land, she learns meas
uration. In finding out how tomatoes
benefit ones health. she learns some
thing of hygiene. BY writing about
the work, the girl learns the proper
use of English. Tomato culture, it
was seen. would help q girl in many
ways. Girls who were formerly
ashamed of work in the garden were
now proud to be seen using q hoe.
Mr.. l.. l.. Baker. district demon
stration agent. told how root knot
could be prevented by the proper ro-
tation Of crops. the iron pea being
used to advantage in eradicating the
disease. This disease was often mis-
taken for blight, he said. The address
OF farmers selling wilt-resisting cot
ton seed could Se obtained from Prof
Narr at Clemson College.
Mr.. w. w. Long, the head of the
farm eNtension work in this State.
gave q fine talk showing how tt
farm and school work should be CO.
ordinated. Only few boys. COM
paratively speaking, could go to
Clemson College to learn scientific
farming, so agriculture must be
taught in the public schools. In
speaking of Clemson, Mr.. Long stat
ed that it was the best agricultural
college in the South.
Next year he is going to have three
acres near Bethel. where many Of
those points taught in books on farm
ing. will be put into practice. This
will be Bethel's experimental farm.
Mr.. Long wants the pupils in the
public schools to know about animal
husbandry and ne hopes to be able to
do more next year in teaching them
this subject. To keep the boys on
the farm. Mr.. Long stated that they
must be given some part In the farm
and its profits. He complimented the
school on having the proper COM
munity spirit.
The meeting was opened with q
prayer by the Rev. William Hayns
worth. The ladies OF the Bethel
Civic League served dinner on the
grounds. the dinner being sold for the
benefit OF the school. except to the
speakers. who were treated as guests
\ good sum was made.