The midland journal., 1916-01-28
IMPROVING MARYLAND
FARM CONDITIONS
Boy Prize Winner In Maryland Week
Contest Gives His Views-coun-
ty Demonstration Agent.
JESSE NJ. HUNTINGTON,
Wicomico County.

In bringing a new spirit into our
agriculture, we must work for more
profit and pleasure and the improve
ment of rural living conditions. The
productive capacity of our farms as
well as the productive ability Of our
farmers must be increased. Our farm
ers must have more money to improve
their farms, to support their churches
and schools, and with which to pay
their taxes. To accomplish this, they
must be able to supply more and bet
ter produce and not be handicapped by
unsatisfactory market conditions. To
protect themselves, our farmers must
be united, in encouraging the growth
of institutions for cooperative enlight-
enment and protection. Finally, our
schools must be organized to equip
our boys and girls with the knowledge
suited to their needs as the farmers
and farm women of the next genera
ton.
The County Demonstration Agent
One way to do this is by bringing
them in touch with County DEM
onstration Agent The business OF
such an agent is to induce the farmer
to cultivate small piece of his ground
according to scientific methods, proving
the value Of these methods for himself
on his own farm. This method of
teaching makes their value better
known to him than If he had to de-
pend entirely on the literature and lee
lures of the Agricultural College. Ex-
pertinent Station, Department Of Agri-
culture, and other agencies of informa-
tion. The County Demonstration Agent
makes it his main business to secure
cooperation between the farmers of his
county, the Agricultural College, the
Department Of Agriculture, and the
various other institutions and organ
izations that are connected with the
farming life of his section. In addi-
tion to arranging for field demonstra-
tions, the County Agent gives lectures,
visits farms, co-operates with the pub
lie schools in starting and conducting
Boys and Girls Clubs, and does every
thing possible to bring about better
farming conditions. He should pay
especial attention to the business end
Of farming, encouraging the individual
farmer to keep accurate accounts OF
expenditures and income. He should
also assist In forming cooperative mar
keting organizations, through which
lower rates Of transportation and bet
ter prices for his products may be Sc
cured by the farmer.
Improved Living Conditions.
Every community should have at
least, good dirt roads although more
improved roads are desirable. Tele-
phones, trolley lines, rural delivery Of
mail, and any advance whatever in
securing better communication and
transportation should be promoted.
Any spread of disease should be
promptly checked, and protection
against typhoid germs, insects, flies.
mosquitoes, ETC., should be provided.
The community should cooperate ac-
lively with the local health officer in
maintaining sanitary conditions.
The better arrangement of farm
buildings for promoting attractiveness,
convenience and efficiency should be
encouraged. The more general use of
labor saving machinery would do
away with much of the hard labor and
drudgery on the farm and in the home.
The gasoline engine, electricity. and
riding attachments to farm machinery
are good examples Of such labor savers.
The social life of our communities
needs improving. We should have
more social gatherings and institutions
to promote culture, recreation and CO.
operative activity. Local improvement
associations, Women's Clubs, Boys and
Girls Clubs, Oranges, and the like all
work together In making better living
conditions possible.