The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-12-26
RUSSELLV|lLE'S
FARMING SCHOOL
DEMONSTRATION OF WHAT CAN
BE DONE IN REcLAIMING
WET FARM LANDS.
(By II. S. Mobley, president of Arkan-
sas Farmers Union.)

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 well
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 a tile ex.
pert to aid them, set to work to mako
90 acres OF the low. wet land suita-
BILE for crops. They tiled the so acres
Just as well as land was ever tiled
and the results were immediate. To-
day this land is producing clovers.
vetches, corn and other crops Just like
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 lime. AL.
falfa can be grown without much diff
Guilty in the bottom lands around Rus.
sellville. but getting a stand" on the
uplands has been hard farming nut
TO crack Today on the high ground
at the Russellville School is as pret.
ty piece of alfalfa as any healthy
hog or COW would care to see.
At Russellville they have hogs and
COWS too. The Holsteins and JERSEYS
In the herd keep the dairy going with
enough milk and butter to supply the
school The boys and girls, directed
by ii. II. HoltZclaw and ]. F. Porter
the livestock men of the school. are
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 ia
, one Of the practical benefits the
Aschool is to the people of that sec.
I on OF the state.
Another thing that the school 1s
doing is furnishing the neighboring
farms the pure-bred hogs that they
need to develop the nerds. The school
has registered Poland China and Dp.
voc Jersey sows and boars that are
sold from time to time to the far.
mers at reasonable prices. MANY or
the farmers who buy these sows and
ooars have boys and girls in the
4. 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
ton Of Arkansas.
Every girl at Russellvflle has IN
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 on the |
farm. Many of the girls by extra
Fork help to pay their board. which
Z erages about sS month. The girls
their own laundry work anyway.
= they make money by doing the
laundry" for the dining hall. They
make their own dresses, and the
lucky fellow who weds one of the Rus.
|sellville girls won't be burdened with
|dressmaker's bills. Neither will he
my every time he sees a millinery es.
Punishment, for the Russellville girls
earn to make hats that are both chic
md durable. They study textiles. too.
|and know the kinds OF cloths that will
year best and wash best. They also
earn home sanitation, so that their
|nture homes will be healthy homes.
|xhey study physiology from the stand.
|point OF health, learning to avoid
|eoids, grip and other unnecessary hu-
nan Ills. They know what foods give
ne most nourishment and how to cook
nem to make them most nourishing
nd tasty. They have a thorough
purse In home management and in
some decoration. In short, the girls
= the Russellville School make of
themselves all-around women. eouip-
60 for the duties of life In country
= In town. Most Of the girls are the ,
[aughters OF most of them will be
avghters Of farmers also. The Rus. ,
seiiville School has more than 400 :
.uoents from the farms of Arkansas. {
innuence is already felt through. :
~ many counties, although it is only
<oout four years old. Its work is inst
suing well under way, and the five
4 mer directors who control its af. ;
rs are looking forward to great :
- In the next two or three wears 1
actcal farm work that will create
v markets for dairy products. great.
increase the livestock i'm MANY
unues. result in silos being built on
any farms, bring about the filing q,
o'tom lands and the raising of 10. a a
kes>on the uplands, and fitting the :,
- and girls for making a success y
Arming and homemaking in Ar. :,
Jas. q
Toledo Times Editor Dead. y