The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-02-05
COUNTY EXPERTS
IN SO. DAKOTA
IN TIIi.EE COUNTIES. THEIR EI'-
FORTS HAVE PRODUCED RE-
SUITS OF SURPRISING
NATURE.

In three counties of South Dakota,
Brown, SPHINX and Codington. com
pilation OF the work of their agricult-
ural experts during the year 1913
shows that the benefits derived have
greatly exceeded the probable cost to
the people and that the residents are
enth usiastic ycr the results.
The matter is of especial and vital
moment to the residents of Dawson
county, as the matter of engaging a
county expert will be considered by
the board of county commissioners
at It's session on Saturday. following
the filing OF a petition a month ago.
Especial emphasis has been laid
by the supporters of the plan upon
the fact that although The state law
permits the leyying of a one-half mill
tax for the county experts work, but
one-fourth or one-third of this am
cunt will be necessary. in view of the
generous support given by the feder-
al government to the agricultural en-
pert plan.
The results accomplished by the
county expert in Sphinx are held to be
noteworthy, although the plan has
only been in operation one year. The
agent was paid a salary of $1,000
and furnished an automobile. A total
expense of $3,12S.63 was incurred,
including an automobile worth
$540.95.
The work OF the county expert is
regarded as highly successful in
Sphinx county, despite the general
crop conditions. Through the cam
paign waged by the county expert,
there were 10 silos erected by farm-
ers. In the spring of 1913, 80 alfalfa
tracts were started through his eff
forts.
The expenses OF the county export
in Codington have been borne by Il
Better Farming association, which
sold shares at $50 each. payable IS
each half year for three years. Fin.
ancial aid also was received from the
railroads and the Chicago Board of
Grain Exchanges. Andrew w. Palm,
who was a prominent speaker in the
meetings in Mitchell last week, AS
sumed his duties as county expert on
April l, 1913.
The total expense of the work in
Codington county has beer about S4,-
900. The annual salary of the county
expert is $500 and he is furnished
an automobile. No government aid
has yet been received.
Especially enthusiastic are the res
idents of Brown county owe the work
of their expert, who has been engag-
ed for the past two years. The eX-
pert is paid Il salary of $500 a month
and furnished an automobile. In
1913 the government aided with ST.
200. Isaac Lincoln. m OF the veal
thy men OF South Dakota and reput-
cd to be the owner of the finest farm
in the state, is especially favorable
to the plan.
Il think the greatest benefit is
with the young people" said Mr..
Lincoln. Through the efforts of the
association we have about 5000 ac-
res OF alfalfa in this county. Growing
of corn and the raising of hogs and
other live stock has been encouraged
and greatly increased. Brown county
has been a small grain county until
recently, but in the last two years.
1912 and 1913, the acreage of corn
has been largely increased.
II have been here many years and
II lallule sum as We Hdu III lJlo,
had it occurred in 1898, would have
made us groan. This year, while tim
es and business were not as good as
though we had a good crop, ] find the
farmers ali have some corn, hogs or
cattle to sell, which helps out great
ly."
Interesting side lights on the
county expert question were shed by
+. e. Balmer. of Morris, Mimi, sup
erintendent OF county experts in the
state of Minnesota. who was in Nit
chell last week. According to him.,
the experts are paid from $500 to
$1,000 a year, with an average
monthly expense of $40. In that
state. each county receives $1,000
aid from the state, on condition that
it raise an equal amount. Mr.. Bal
mer regards the work of the experts
as productive of much good to the
farmers.
Should the commissioners take
favorable action upon the county
expert matter Saturday, it will be
necessary to employ a man for the
work who lives outside of the county.
Friends of the movement declare
that several citizens of the county
have been expecting to be appointed
to the position, but that there is
nothing to the rumor.