The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-12-18
County Farm Agent.

| Oo IhoIouBuiy uOts 1HE LINES De
lieye in the farm bureau plan with an
expert or county agent in charge that IL
cannot lose any opportunity to bring
| the matter to the attention of its read
ers. The county had an opportunity
early in the spring of 1912 to have been
named as one of the counties to receive
government aid for this purpose but
because it was feared some one would
gain little political preference the
project was opposed by few people in
cluding some of those who had proposed
that it be taken up. The result was
that Shiawassee lost its chance and an
other county proited thereby. One of
these days Shiawassee-us pro.
gressive in every way-will wake up to
the Importance of the plan and will
take its place in line with the other
really good agricultural counties of the
state.
Under the heading: Retain the
farm agent" the Allegan Gazette says:
"A series of meetings is planned for
next week, in various parts of the
county, the details of which may be
found elsewhere in this issue of the
Gazette. The two-years term of the
contract with Mr.. G. B. Cook will soon
expire, and these meetings ale designed
to secure the funds needed for one
more year of his service.
A communication from President
Fox of the county organization gives
many good RIA IONS why this excellent
WORK should be- contiI usd, and recently
Allegan Central grange adopted unani.
mously resolution indorsing the plan
as we'll as declaring for the retention of
Mr.. Cook in the position of county
agent. This action is specially pleasing
to those who were instrumental in
establishing the work. for it indicates a
state of appreciation and approval
among farmers which was not in the
beginning manifested as cordially as it
should have been.
The Gazette has been from the f st a
friend to the movement and has said
many good things of it; and has pub.
lished large amount of valuable mat
ter from Mr.. Cook'spen, given wholly
In addition to. the work that .was-ex.-
pected of him by the contract. 1t is
scarcely necessary that any of these
arguments and appeals should be re-
peated. By this time every farmer
knows of the value of the county agent
system, and surely a sufficient number
of farmers stand ready to afford as.
sistance. 1t is believed that this is the
last year when the agency will have to
be supported by private contribution.
Business men have been LIBERAL sub
scribers to the fund of the past two
years and very likely will continue their
aid. 1t is desired that as many of them
as possible shall attend these meetings,
lending both verbal encouragement and
financial aid. They well know the i'm
portance to the whole community uf
the advancement of farming; know of
the high position Allegsn county holds
as progressive region in agriculture,
and of the necessity of maintaining it
for the sake of every interest of its peo
ple."
In an address to the people of the
county President Fox of the Allegan
Farm Bureau a1ks and answers the fol
lowing question:
THE natural question is, what has
been accomplished in the county in the
past two years.
Alfalfa is growing on at least three
thousand acres; four Thousand are
planted to soil. building sand vetch; one
hundred and fifty farmers have expert
mented in different lines under the di
reciions of the county agent; hog chol
era was checked in Trowbridge town
ship foot and mouth disease was con.
fined to the township of Fillmore; many
herds of dairy cattle have been tested
for tuberculosis; COW testing associa
tion has been formed aud two more will
bs organized the coming winter.
A part of this work has been done
under the direct supervision of the
county agent, but the spirit which the
bureau has brought into the county has /
been responsible for most of these pro
gressive measures