The Spectator., 1914-12-25
.RUSSELLv|lLE'S
 FARMING SCHOOL.
BE DONE IN RECLAlMlNG WET FARM LANDS.
(By H. s. Mobley, president of Arkan-
 sas Farmers Union.l

The Second District Agricultural School at Russellville, of which Hon. George A. Cole is principal, is an example to the entire state of what can be done with unpro.!uctive land. In the school farm there are 200 acres. Part of this is high and pretty we'll ingrained with shale. The rest is low and formerly was too wet for farming. The boys, under the instruction of one of their teachers and with tile ex- pert to aid them, set to work to mako 50 acres of the low, wet land suita- ble for crops. They tiled the 50 acres just as we'll as land was ever tiled and the results were immediate. To- day this land is producing clovers, vetches, corn and other crops just like a regular Illinois farm, and it is more than paying for the cost of tiling.
 That job finished, there was tho proposition of growing alfalfa on the higher ground deficient in l.me. Al falfa can be grown without much diffi- culty in the bottom lands around Rus sellville, but getting stand" on the uplands has been a hard farming nut to crack. Today on the high ground at the Russellville School is as pret- ty a piece of alfalfa as any healthy hog or COW would care to sec
 At Russellville they have hogs and COWS too. The Holsteins and Jerseys fin the herd keep the dairy going with enough milk and butter to supply the school. The boys and girls, directed by H. H. Holtzclaw and J. F. Porter. the livestock men of the school, arc now making plans for establishing markets for the dairy products of the farmers in the northwestern part of the state around Russellville. The plan provides for a regular supply of butter and milk. not only in the local markets at Russellville. but into points along the railroads. This is one of the practical benefits the school is to the people of that sec tion of the state.
 Another thing that the school is doing is furnishing the neighboring farms the pure-bred hogs that they need to develop the nerds. The school has registered Poland China and Du. voc Jersey sows and boars that are sold from time to time to the far mers at reasonable prices. Many Of the farmers who buy these sows and boars have boys and girls in the school
 The raising of sheep and goats is another interesting and profitable feature of the work of the boys in this school for farm boys and girls. Both the sheep and the goats-however separated they may be in the world to come-work together at Russell vile in clearing up the land They have proved their worth and show that there is need for both in the rough lands in the northwestern sec tion of Arkansas.
 Every girl at Russellville has to work one day in week in the domes. tic science department as classroom work. Every boy has to work one day in the week in the shop or 8n the farm. Many of the girls by extra work help to pay their board, which averages about SS month. The girls do their own laundry work anyway. but they make money by doing the laundry for the dining hall. They make their own dresses, and tho lucky fellow who weds one of the Rus sellville girls won't be burdened with dressmakers bills. Neither will he shy every time he sees a millinery es- tablishment. for the Russellville girls learn to make hats that are both chic and durable. They study textiles. too. and know tlfe kinds of cloths that will wear best and wash best. They also learn home sanitation, so that, their future homes will be healthy homes. They study physiology from the stand point of health, learning to avoid colds, grip and other unnecessary hu- man ills. They know what foods give the most nourishment and how to cook them to make them most nourishing course in home management and in home decoration. In short, the girls at the Russellville School make of themselves all-around women. equip. ped for the duties of life in country or in town. Most of the girls are the daughters of most of them will be daughters of farmers also The Rus sellville School has more than zoo students from the farms of Arkansas. Its influence is already felt through out many counties. although it is only about four years old It's work Is just getting we'll under way. and the five farmer directors who control its af- fairs are looking forward to great work in the next two or three years practical farm work that will create new markets for dairy products. great ly increase the livestock in many counties. result in silos being built on many farms. bring about the tiling of