American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-02-11

sand, five hundred school children interested in
agriculture and allied matters through the boys
and girls school clubs. Six hundred of these
clubs were organized over the state by T. w.
Potter, agent of the United States department of
agriculture, with the cooperation of the state
and county school superintendent. The work
now, at the suggestion of Miss Shepherd, retiring
state superintendent of education, has been taken
over by the university and handled by Mr.. Potter
under the direction of the extension department of
the state university.
Interest is increasing everywhere in the boys
and girls club work" said Mr.. Potter. why
shouldn't 1t? We live in an agricultural country,
our soil is fertile-climate perfect-people agrees
sive. The schools of Idaho need take no back
seat from those of any state. The commissioner of
education is urging that agriculture be taught in
all the schools.
"The boys and girls club starts the ball a-roll-
tng-get youngsters interested. They organize
their clubs in the winter and early spring months;
study, read and fit themselves for spring work by
the books and literature sent to each by the ex-
tension department. They do the work at home
on their garden plots. They are striving to raise
the best potatoes, corn, tomatoes, pigs, poultry,
ETC., at the least possible expense.
They keep careful records of their work, cost
OF labor performed, methods used in cultivation,
ETC., yields. market values, ETC., and enter their
products and records in the county and state fair
contests. They are after the valuable prizes Of
fered by prominent public" spirited citizens, who
are anxious and willing to help encourage this
practical, educational work.
They have thus acquired an interest in the study
of agriculture, and performed their own demon
stration work at their homes. They have combined
theory and practice-learned to be bookkeepers
and practical business men and women.
these same boys and girls will become the
future producers and home makers which Idaho
needs. Is this education worth while?. Is 1t not
more necessary and valuable than filling their
heads with Latin, Algebra, ancient history etc?
They have become interested in rural pursuits
and prefer to live in the country. Do our cities
need more clerks and professional men? If so, the
club work should be discouraged. IT helms edu-
cate boys and girls to become intelligent, success
full farmers and healthy, contented home makers.
1t emphasizes the opportunities, advantages and
resources awaiting intelligent effort and god man.
agement in rural communities.
The club work teaches boys and girls to be
workers-producers and home builders. Every
teacher and superintendent In Idaho is urged to
organize clubs and carry on tie work"
More corn, potatoes and such products was
raised during 1914 in the counties which have TAX
en- up this work than ever before, according to Mr..
Potter. Corn production has been as high as 100
bushels an acre and potatoes I. the amount of
eight hundred pounds an acre. Following is a let
ter from one of the members of a club, George
Mason, Of Rigby, telling of his experiences and
results:
"The reason I enrolled as a club member was to
find out what my success would be along this line
of work as 1 was interested in agricultural work.
The object of the boys and girls club is to pro-
mote enthusiasm along the line Of agriculture.
Story Of a Crop.
"The following is the history of my potato crop.
I selected seed of a good variety and quality and
was careful in cutting the potatoes for seed so
that they would make strong plants.
1.-THE soil should be a strong, sandy loan, we'll
fortified.
81 planted my potatoes from nine to thirteen
inches apart in rows which ran lengthwise of the
piece and had my rows from % to 80 inches apart.
"As soon as the potato plants could be seen I
threw dirt around them with a John Deere cult
vator. Then in about two weeks l gave them a
thorough cultivation and kept them clear from
weeds. I kept the ground good and moist by
cultivating them about every two weeks before
watering. / put them In good shape for watering
by listing them out. After irrigating them / gave
them a good cultivating. heing careful not : go
too close to the plants. | then listed them out
again as we have to irrigate about three times
in this country to mature a crop.
81 never had any disease in my crop and conse-
quently did not have to administer any treatment.
1.-THE exhibit was held at the Rigby high school.
The potatoes on exhibition were arranged and
judged. My potatoes took first prize. I was
awarded a blue ribbon and Of course, many COM
pliments.
81 raised go sacks of potatoes off one-eighth Of
an acre of ground-or 10 bushels. My expenses
on my crop were $40 and my profit was $24.46.
This club work has greatly strengthened my
enthusiasm along the line of agriculture and gave
me valuable information in this branch of work.
From my experience I would say, Give your
potatoes plenty of cultivation, plenty of water and
raise them on the richest land you possess and
give them your best attention at the right time"
"How l Raised MY Pig"
"Pigology' is another science which has inter-
ested the boys of this state. Three hundred and
forty-two boys Joined the pig clubs during the last
year and took their first lessons in ':pigology'
from the bulletins furnished by the United States
department of agriculture, state agricultural col
lege and local advisors.
About two hundred and fifty OF them secured a
young sow each and entered the contest Of feed
ing and caring for a young SOW for six months,
keeping careful records of weights, cost Of feed,
labor, care OF the young pigs, etc. Prizes were
awarded those who kept the best records and
showed the greatest financial gain. Each boy
had to also submit an essay on How I Raised My
Pig" George E. Bullock of the Pioneer School,
Minidoka, won the first prize, which was $50 in
cash, given by o. NJ. Plummer OF Portland. His
story of how he did the work is a s follows:
"In the Spring I bought a brood SOW, the only
one around that suited me. I was not in a po-
sition to have a full blood SOW, so I purchased the
best grade sow that could be found in my district
For a few weeks | kept her in a pen, but as
soon as the pasture began growing I put her on
the green feed.
AT last the great day came that I had been
waiting for. My SOW had little ones. Although