The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-12-22
WORK OF COUNTY
DEMONSTRATOR
WORK GROWS TO ENORMOUS
PRoPORTIONS-BOYS CORN
CLUB SUCCESSFUL.
Abbeville, S. c., Dec. 20, 1915.

ADDeVllle, .. u, beS. Go' AoN
) Editor Press and Banner:
i Dear Sir:-I beg to hand you
herewith my report conveying the
facts relative to work accomplished
in Abbeville County during the per-
iod beginning Feb. 10 and endlng
Dec. IS, 1915.
The work since I began 1T mas
grown to enormous proportions, n
has broadened into fields of activity
heretofore undeveloped. My ser
vices have been required l n every
phase of farm work, dealing win
both the practical and ~sclentlhc
problems of about 100 farms. On
81 farms Government methods have
been employed and accurate records
have been kept.
Immediate monetary returns 10
the County are in striking evidence
as result of work done in renovat-
ING and pruning orchards, and as
a result of specific advice in the use
of fertilizers. Other and perhaps
slower returns will be acknowledged
over the County as result OF con,
slant efforts for better field selected
seed. better cultural methods, more
winter cover crops, better live STOCK
and better system for the farm gen
erally. The above are the points that
have been emphasized, though In
Vulnerable other problems have pre-
sented themselves from time to time.
The report shows that in ten
months and eight days l have traV,
eled in actual duty 1886 miles ana
made 842 visits to farms In the
County. Nothing is so far reach
ing and effective in its results as
these personal visits to farms, there
fore. / hope to be able during 1915
TO double the number o. such visits.
However, I cannot reach all n
men in every section County, and
in view of this fact, I hope to estao-
fish the community school as the
base of operations in each sectlon.
Where the farmers are disposed TO
hold night meetings for the purpose
of discussing the different phases OF
farm life, the working out of fer,
tilizer formulas, etc., much good
and real help may be accomplished.
The Boys Corn Club work mas
been a successful experiment with US
They have produced an average OF
52.4 bushels per acre, and this at
an actual cost of 35k cents, aV-
erage cost per bushel. l hope tnaG
the business men of the County Will
offer at least a few prizes to those
making the highest yield at the least
cost. ETC., per bushel for year 1915,
not losing sight of the generosity
of those who contributed to this end
during the current year. Inc PEST
weld per acre for 1915 was rs
bushels and 8 pounds, and the least
cost of any crop was 23 cents per
bushel. In addition to the Boys
Corn Club, there will be organized
a Pig Club, and possibly a Peanut
Club. More time will be given to
this phase of the work than to any
other during 1916.
A review of the years work IS
as follows: $1,000,
/ held 8 meetings with a total at
tendance of 235. Care of the or
chard, home mixing of fertilizer,
and other topics relative to farm
work were discussed at these meet
ings. Fertilizer formulas for Indl-
vidual farms were worked out. Four
Alfalfa Clubs were organized with
a membership of 81; these were
then organized into the Abbeville
County Alfalfa Association. Made
sol visits to demonstrators; put on
12 demonstration orchards; vacci-
mated 331 head of cattle against the
ssBlack Leg" valued at $3.50; In
oculated II head of hogs against
"Cholera," valued at S648. A cam
paign for more winter grain and
winter cover crops were made, a re-
suit Of which, I report 352 acres OF
Crimson Clover, 100 acres of Burr
Clover, SO acres of Rye, 18 acres OF
Red Clover, 80 acres of Vetch and
Oats, 16 acres vetch, oats and rye,
and Sc acres of Alfalfa were sown
this Fall. The County reports
5000 acres of grain and 57S acres
of fall blowing done. Money CIV
en- away in prizes of $4,000; fruit
trees pruned 1470; grape vines
63; fruit trees put out in the Coun-
tv including the II demonstration
orchards referred to above 270O;
Bermuda and burr clover pastures
started, 9; tons of ground lime
stone bought comparatively, 645;tons
fertilizer home mixed 400; circu.
lar letters written in emphasis OF
certain points GAG; furnished to
farmers at cost $3.50 lbs. of Grim
SON clover seed; $3.50 lbs. of alfalfa
seed; 100 vetch seed; $50 lbs. red
clover seed; supplied 275 farmers
with blanks for Government free
incubation; carried an agricultural
exhibit to the Columbia State
Fair, resulting in no prizes but get
ting honorable mention among 4S
contestants and put same exhibit on
at the Abbeville County Fair; writ
ten an average of 8 business let
tiers per week; mailed out about
$50 Government bulletins; 6 Here
ford bulls and three heifers bought.
In conclusion, l desire to thank
the farmers and business men of the
County for their help and coopera-
ton in making this a fairly success