Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-03-24
planters Who Follow Direction OF
County Agents Produce Average
Of 1,O4s Pounds Per Acre
on 10000 Acres.

of agriculture, Tic press anu lIaAy
orea nizations cooperating, the agri-
cultural work in Arkansas has been
very satisfactory during 1915. A
hrief summary of the work as COM
niled from the county agents reports
nv G.. w. Watson, state demonstration
agent. clearly shows that no money
has been spent to better advantage
than the money appropriated for the
navment OF the salary of a we'll
nualified agent. The report is as fol-
lows:
That farmers of Arkansas are will
ing to attend meetings for instruction
in agriculture and home economics, is
clearly shown from the number OF
meetings held by all forces, 2,779,
with an attendance of 146,544. At
every meeting subjects of vital in
terest to the farmers were discussed,
and "safe farming" was emphasized
at every meeting and the importance
of live stock and more and better pas
lures were subjects discussed at prac-
tically every meeting.
The 50 county agents at work dur
ing the last year travelled by rail
team was 1858 miles. These agents
directed demonstrations in the grow
ing of corn on 3,341 farms, consist
ing of 1929 acres, reporting an aver
age yield of " bushels, while the
state average was only 10 bushels per
acre. Over 10000 acres of cotton
were grown under the direction OF
these agents with an average yield OF
1,O4S pounds per acre, as against
1O-year average throughout the state
of only 576 pounds. Over 1900 acres
of wheat were planted under the di-
rection of these agents with an aver
age yield of over 10 bushels, as
against 10 bushels under lordinary
methods.
Comparatively few Arkansas coun-
ties have large orchards, but the
agents, last year, conducted demon
STATIONS in pruning and spraying in
I'll orchards, consisting of nearly 75,-
900 trees. One hundred and seven
pure blood stations and 60 good jacks
were purchased through the influence
of these agents, and 9O5 pure-blood
diary cows were so purchased and
1875 pure-bred beef cattle. Twenty
five agents reported the building OF
$40 watts and the dipping of over ~
600 cattle without an accident. Five
hundred and forty pure-bred hogs
were shipped in for breeding pur-
poses and 745 farms established poul-
try work with over $4,000 fowls, while
$50 farmers agreed to produce and
market only nonfertile eggs.
Some Results Of Work.
While the vaccination and general
treatment of sick animals is not
strictly within the original province
of the county agricultural agent this
service was rendered in remarkable
way and resulted in the saving OF
thousands of cattle and hogs. Nearly
1000 cattle were treated for black leg
and about 1850 were treated for
anthrax; nearly 10000 hogs were
treated with the single treatment for
cholera, while 23.510 were given the
double treatment, and 9,456 were
treated for worms. Approximately
5000 farmers were advised regarding
the use of fertilizers and BAT $50 tons
of manure were used by the farmers
Under the direction of these agents.
Through the influence of the agents
S4s silos were built, 1884 tons OF
lime used and 125 farmers clubs or
ganized. Over 5000 farmers. on the
advice of the agents, planted cover
crops, and 252 farmers terraced 4,lH
acres of their land, while nearly o.
quo home gardens were planted under
the direction of the agents and over
1000 improved farm implements we're
purchased through their advice.
! This almost marvellous work, car
Sried on in 48 counties of Arkansas
can't help but have wonderful IN
fluence in the development OF better
agriculture. The farm demonstration
idea originated in the South, and mas
mad its greatest development here anu
probably no state has larger proper
ZION of it's counties in this work thah
Arkansas, and those in authority are
disposed to think that this state has
body of county agents far superior 10
the average in the country.
Farmers for the Service.
The supervising force for this WORK
nos many duties, and during the past
year 653 visits we're made upon Tue
SCENTS by them, travelling 1854 miles
~ rail and 7,46S by team; ana inns
supervising force conducted Dol spe.
clal meetings with an attendance u
more than $4,000 people, This vast
amount of travel could not have Deen
Varied on. with the funds appropri-
ated by the state and federal govern
ments had not the railroads OF tne
state co-operated in the furnishing =.
Tree transportation, as permitted "
aaw. The supervising force TOT az