Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1916-01-14
IMPROVING MARYLAND
FARM CONDITIONSI
Boy Prize Winner In Maryland Week
Contest Gives His vlews-coun-
~ Demonstration Agent.
JESSE NJ. HUNTINGTON.
Wicomico County.

In bFfnging 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 7
their farms, to support their churches
and schools, and with which to pay I.
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
je united, in encouraging the growth
II institutions for cooperative enlight-
inment and protection. Finally, our
schools must be organized to equip
our boys and girls with the knowledge
uited to Il leeds as the farmers
md farm won. the next genera
ton
The County Demonstration Agent.
One way to do this is by bringing
hem in touch with a County Dem
lnstration Agent. The business Of
ueh an agent is to induce the farmer
o cultivate small piece OF his ground
ccording TO scientific methods, proving
he value Of these methods for himself
n his own farm. This method Of
eaching makes their value better
nown to him than II he had to de-
end entirely en- the literature and lee
ures Of the Agricultural College, Ex-
'eriment Station, Department Of AgrE
ulture, and other agencies of informa-
ion. The County Demonstration Agent
makes 1t 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
lzations that are connected with the
farming life of his section. In addt-
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
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 ~
securing better communication IA
transportation should be prnoted
Any spread ofcAlease should be
promptly Checked, and protection
agaipr typhoid germs, insects. flies.
mduitoes. etc, should be provided.
tees community should cooperate 40
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.