Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-02-18
Farmers Cooperative Demon 81 ira
tiOn Work,

The purpose OF the farm demonstration
work in Montgomery county for 1916 is to
give practical illustration of certain
methods Of handling the soil and the sta
pie crops which have been proven more
profitable than the methods ordinarily en-
ployed. These demonstrations are not ex-
periments in any sense whatever. The De-
partment of Agriculture and the Maryland
Agricultural College have made long and
careful tests Of certain methods, and the
farm demonstrations are confined to such
as have been proven successful. The real
purpose of the demonstrations is to show
the average farmer that these methods are
really practical, and that by adopting them
he can increase his profits, which is the
acid test of success.
We desire to secure three or four demon
stration plats in each district. so that they
may be fairly well distributed throughout
the county. These plats must be at least
one acre in size. and the more prominently
they can be located the better. The farmer
undertaking the demonstration agrees to
follow instructions. The necessary work
on the plat must be done by the farmer
or his help. and not by the government
agent. as the prime object of the demon
stration is to show that the farmer himself,
by employing the improved methods. can
increase his profits. The farmer will re-
ceive special instructions regularly from
the Department clearly outlining the hand
sons why certain things are to be DONE
In addition to this. the County Agent will
visit the plat regularly explaining any part
Of the instructions that may not be fully
understood. and assisting in any way he
can in making the demonstration success
While the crop is growing, the farmers of
the community are invited to meet at the
demonstration plat with the Agent, when
both crop and methods can be thoroughly
discussed In this way the farmer becomes
a co-operator with the Department and the
College in introducing better and more
successful methods in his community.
These demonstrations will not be limited
to any certain crops. but will include any
crop in which farmers may be interested,
barring only those not adapted to local
conditions. Preference will be given, how
ever. to the regular staple crops and the
legumes.
In addition to the regular demonstration
plats. to be continued throughout the
growing season, special demonstrations will
be arranged wherever possible. covering
such subjects as the following: Testing
soil for acidity; field tests of both lime
and fertilizers; pruning and spraying Or
chards; planning crop rotations. cover
crops. etc. dairy. swine and poultry work /;
in fact, any subject in which the farmer is
interested or any problem which he is
attempting to solve.
The County Agent makes no pretense Of
knowing the answer to many of the farm
er's questions. but he is here for the pur-
pose Of helping the farmer to find the an
swer. II the answer is known. we propose
to find the fellow who knows il. And II
his answer has the ring Of sincerity and
truth. we propose to get the benefit of it.
We shall be glad TO hear from any one
desiring demonstration plat on his farm.
who is willing to agree to the above con-
ditions. Other things being equal. as to
location. etc. the first plats offered will be
the first selected for demonstration pur-
poses. Address the undersigned. who will
then visit your farm at the earliest oppor-
tunity.