West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-04-30
AGRICULTURAL NEWS NOTES
Breeders Association Organization
Duties OF tho County Agricultural
Asents-Fermers' Institute for rhi>s
resr-Spray TO Avoid "Wormy"
Apples
nNFrnERs' Association oRoANlrrp

L Nskh w HhNkhtcC auN
awakened activity when the farmers of a
community Get together and organize an
association for cooperation in promoting
some particular line OF agricultural de-
velopment. Ii matters not whether the
organization is in the interest OF trucking.
dairying, fruit growing and packing, or
better animal production. IL the industry
is adapted To existing local conditions the
entire community is almost certain To- bc
benefited thereby.
For many years the farmers OF POGO
district, kanawha county have produced
Hereford cattle. Much stock of good
quality was grown from year to year but
! in order to purchase the best OF sircs and
to attract buyers from distance, some
form OF organization seemed advisable.
A few weeks ago some of the leading
breeders near Sissonville held meeting
and organized the POGO District Hereford
Breeders Association. II began business
with fourteen charter members and i'm.
dications point TO much larger member.
ship. II is the intention OF the associa-
ton To purchase some high class breeding
stock and To promote annual sales of
considerable Importance.
WHAT COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AGENT DOES
Now that West Virginia has seven
County Agricultural Agents in the field
and will arrange for several more i'm the
near future, many persons not directly
interested in agriculture are asking the
question, what are the duties of the
County Agricultural AgentT' These
agents are sometimes called County
Advisors" but Mr.. Nat T. Frame. the
State Leader of County Agents, says that
advisory" work is but minor part of
the agent = duties. The county agricultural
agents principal functions will usually
fall under the following heads:
CD He studies the agriculture of the
county to learn what IL being done and
what is worth while agriculturally in
each part of il. This study includes farm,
financial and organization surveys.
(2) He gives the results of his studies
to farmers, not in the way of advice, but
AZ facts observed and conclusions drawn.
This is done through the local press,
lectures, institutes, circulars, short courses
and personal interviews.
CD Based on these local studies an ID
the ascertained needs of the county, clubs.
associations, and the like are organized
and the individuals solicited to under
take definite lines of agricultural improve
g.. A..
are also formed for cooperative buying
and marketing and the Standardization
of farm products.
I)He cndeavors TO coordinate all ex-
isting agricultural agencies within the
county, so that all may work unitedly
and efficiently.
(5) He develops local leadership. The
task OF improving the agriculture Of an
entire county is 80 stupendous that the
agent must be primarily an administra-
tor. He must inspire and accept the help
OF voluntary assistants in work.
(6) He acts as the connecting link be-
tween the scientists OF the research nsti-
tutions OF the State and Nation and the
cations in such way that the farmers
can use them, and calling attention OF
scientists TO the local agricultural prob
lens of the county and soliciting their
assistance.
CD He gives advice. This may relate
to spraying, seed treatment, mixing
fertilizers, combating insect pests, cultural
practices, or other miscellaneous matters
which are the stock in trade OF every
well-informed agent. The giving Of adj
vice is seventh on the list, because in
actually improving the agriculture of the
county it is probably OF least importance,
though in point Of time it may be the
first work undertaken.
RURAL 'CLEAs.UP"
1t is becoming quite common for the
more progressive cities to set a certain
day, along about this time OF the year,
for cleaning up the town. On this day
the accommodations OF trash and garbage
are gathered up and carted away. Special
emphasis is laid upon the necessity of re.
moving manure piles before the flies be-
gin to use these masses of decaying or
! ganic matters for breeding places
The country and village, no less than
the city, need cleanup" season. In
many instances the winter accumulation
Of garbage and trash serve not only az a
fertile breeding place for flies and disease
germs but actually pollute the drinking
writer i'm wells and cisterns through sur
face drainage. So common are diseases
| arising from this source, that the United
States Health Service is undertaking a
| campaign 20 secure wider recognition of
the causes Of there diseases and TO en-
phasize the necessity OF proper sanitary
| arrangements az regards the water supply
and sewage disposal in the country and
village home. As start for this year,
the government health officials are center.
ing their efforts on Berkeley county, w.
Va. The doctrine Of better sanitation IL
being preached from every school house
and church and every farm will be visit
ed and suggestions made for improve
ments in the relative arrangement oil
water supplies and drainage systems.
Notable improvements in general health
fulness are almost certain TO follow and
from this AZ a start, the movemenC will
undoubtedly be extended 20 other coun-
ties.
But there is no need Tor anyone r.
await a visit from the health experts be.
fore cleaning up the premises. IL only
requires good, common, sense to deter.