The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-12-18
RAISE PROFITABLE CROPS.

Thirty-four boys of the Frederick
County Potato Club, by scientific
cultivation, raised the average
yield 1876 bushels per acre.
The census for the year 1910 shows
less than 80 bushels.
This club is the first of its kind in
the State. Until last spring, when
formed an organization, farmers look
the demonstration, Mr.. Remsburg,
ed skeptically upon any yield over 200
bushels per acre. All the boys in the
club stuck to the finish and the lowest
yield per acre was more than 100
bushels per acre.
Besides increasing the county's av-
erage yield per acre this club has
demonstrated that there is money in
scientific cultivation of potatoes. One
boy made profit of $211 on an acre
of ground All but two members clos
ed the season with a profit.
Three varieties of potatoes were US
ed. One from the mountains, one from
the Piedmont section and one from
the coastal plain. They were: Green
Mountain, from Garrett county; Nc
Cormack, from Montgomery county,
and Rehoboth, from Somerset county.
A unique fact was brought out when
the yields were tabulated. Rehoboth
won out in every section of the coun-
ty where tried. IL has been expected
that the Green Mountain variety
would be better adapted to Frederick
county. 1t is advanced that Rehoboth
potatoes are able to live through hot
dry seasons. A heavy drouth struck
this county last year just about the
time potatoes were making. Those
that used Rehoboth had large yields.
Those who used the other varieties
were not so successful.
The same quota of fertilizer, COM
posed of the same kind of materials
was used by all. The same sprouting
schemes and the same period of plant
ing were given out. For this reason
the yield of the Frederick county po-.
tato club is considered not only to be
fair test in this county, but for
other counties with similar climatic
conditions. The United States Agri-
cultural Department has asked for
data concerning the crops of this club
and will use it in organizing clubs
in other counties of the state.
Last year when Mr.. Remsburg was
appointed demonstrator for this coun-
ty it was entirely too late for him to
organize any corn growing clubs. He
decided, under instructions of the de-
partment at Washington to organize
a potato club. The Department of
Agriculture has shown much interest
in the progress of this club, because
it was the only one of its nature in
the State. Several times members of
the department came to the county
and inspected the crop at the various
stages of growth. .5wgv r
The membership of the club. next
year, will probably be more than
hundred. From all parts of the county
Mr.. Remsburg has received requests
for admittance. The boys high school
will be represented by big delega-
ton.
Mr.. Remsburg and Professor s. S.
Stabler, of the Agricultural Depart
ment of the high school, stated that
the farmers of the county have been
planting their crops too early in the
season. 1t is a crop that demands
cool weather conditions. Some farm
ers plant potatoes early in June which
is too soon for a late crop.
So enthusiastic are some of the
farmers over the results of the club
that the men of Emmitsburg have
formed an organization and are pre-
pairing to make their club financial
proposition.
The Frederick County School Board
has endorsed the work of the potato
club. Superintendent G.. LLOYD Pal
mer, in recent address said: '"The
work of this club dovetails into the
theoretical work propounded in the
classrooms Of the agricultural de-
partment."
The Frederick County Farmers AS
sociation went on record praising the
work of the boys. This association
gave fifty dollars to be used as awards
One banking institution has expressed
wish to donate prizes next year