The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-03
DISCUSS FARMING TOPICS.
MEETING CON
TINUES AT CLEMSON COL
College.
Speakers and Subjccts-VaIuabIc
Information Received and Given by
Demonstration Men,

Clemson College, Jan. 2S.-At the |
ton agents of the State, now in ses-
sion here, there vas a lively discus
sion again of the problems of the
boys club work, the discussion Of
which was begun yesterday because of
certain suggestions in the paper read
by Mr.. j. F. Ezell, the Spartanburg
on the necessity of reaching the boy
| through his sense of accomplishment
Of something worthy and beneficial,
and profitable, rather than for
prizes, bonuses, etc.
The paper by Mr.. L. B. Altman,
agent for Jasper County, on Soil
Building: What Practice and Order
of Practice to Advise" was one of the
hest yet presented.
Mr.. j. w. Shealey, the Lexington
county agent, led the discussion of Mr..
Altman's paper in a talk which en-
phasized strongly the part played by
legumes in soil building; but he in
sisted that the legumes must be turn
ed under if the results are to be
worth while and noticeable.
At the afternoon meeting School
Demonstration Work" was the subject
for discussion. This might be called
State Agent Longs newest 42-centi-
metre gun in his attack upon agricul-
tural ignorance and backwardness. A
paper on the subject WAS read by Mr..
F. Mason Crum, the Orangeburg coun-
ty agent; and the discussion was
chiefly by Mr.. j. NJ. Napier, special
agent, in charge of schol demonstra-
ton work as it is being tried out in
Darlington county.
Mr.. Crum'S paper was directed to
showing that the proper teaching of
agricultural knowledge and practice is
the natural and necessary next step
in advancing demonstration work, so
as to coordinate the schools with the
life Of the scholars in rural schools.
Mr.. Napier has selected as being
peculiarly fitted for this work, and
Darlington county was chosen as the
best place because of it's advance over
other counties in consolidated rural
schools, which are necessary for best
J results. Under this method the coun-
fxy h,
: demonstration forces in bearing ex-
pense and carrying on the work. Mr..
Napier has selected five schools, each
, with a four-acre plot for practical
/ demonstrations of the principles he is
to teach. The subject OF agriculture
: is made a regular and required
J branch of the school course. He
, spends two hours per week at each
school in actual teaching and the rest
of the day in helping with the demon
5 stration plot work and other prob
lens. The principal of the school
teaches the subject under his direc-
tion on the other three days of each
| week, and thus the work is made reg
, ular and not spasmodic.
/ The paper by Mr.. J. Frank Will
!; liams, the Sumter county agent, on
} What crop system to advise for 1915
for tenant farmers" contained some
excellent suggestions for small white
farmers and negro farmers, if they
70
tenant farmers and put into actual
practice. Collectively the small farm
er plays a large part in the economic
system of the country; but any system
suggested for him r1usr be simple and
inexpensive, and even then some
can't and some won't follow it, though
recognizing it's wisdom.
Mr.. Williams chief aim in his sug-
gestions is to enable the tenant farm
er to work up to a cash basis Of
farming within three years. Some Of
his suggestions are:
l. Let him plant one-third of his
crop in cotton instead of three-fourths
as heretofore.
2. Another third plant to corn
with peas in middles at laying-by.
). Several acres, probably already
planted, in oats, to be followed by
hrodcast peas; an acre or so of sor-
< IN for syrup, and an acre of DO
tatoes, sweet and Irish; plenty OF
truck for home use and surplus for
near market, if there be any; much
greater attention to poultry, COWS,
pigs.
4. Make abundant supply Of stable
manure and compost, using much lit
ter leaf-mold, etc.
5. Greater economy and care in
| buying and in other expenditure un-