Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-02-04
Commission.
Special Correspondence.

Over two hundred members of local
oranges in Montgomery, Prince Georges
and Howard counties attended the January
meeting of the Montgomery County Pomo-
ma Grange here today. They were enter
tanned by the members of Patuxent Grange
in most hospitable and efficient manner,
this being the first visit of the Montgomery
county grange to Highland. The opening
of the morning session was somewhat de-
layed. owing to the very unfortunate acct
dent to a member of Eureka Grange. Lewis
Miller. of Hyattsvlle, whose leg was broken
while he was attempting to jump on the
running board of the truck which was
bringing Eureka members to Highland.
Mr.. Miller is an enthusiastic and active
granger and his mishap seriously marred
the pleasure of an otherwise delightful
day.
The morning session was devoted as
usual to business of the Pomona Grange,
a number of resolutions being presented
and adopted, among them one urging the
adoption of land title registration system
that would furnish a sound basis for rural
credits.
Considerable discussion was aroused over
the passage of a resolution authorizing
the Pomona Master r. Bentley Thomas, of
Ednor. to secure action by the executive
committee of the State Grange in obtaining
an extension of the time limit allowed for
storage of freight in the b. & o. depots
before removal by farmers to whom it is
consigned and who by reason of their dis
lance from such depots are not able as
rule to remove their freight within the
forty-eight- hour limit recently imposed in
stead Of the old limit Of one week. Farm
ers in this section. particularly. reported II
to be impossible to remove freight within
the required time, many often receiving
notice when the time had already expired.
Following a lively discussion of the taxa
ton problem. committee on taxation was
appointed, its membership consisting of
F. B. Bomberger, of Prince George county,
E. W. Haviland, of Montgomery county
and T. Guy Nichols. of Howard county
This committee will cooperate with the
State Grange committee on taxation and
report results at the April meeting Of the
County Grange.
Following bountiful and satisfying din
ner prepared by the able women members
Of Patuxent Grange, the afternoon program
was rendered. Pomona Master r. Bentley
Thomas gave brief account of the State
Grange meeting and urged renewed activity
among members Of oranges that belong to
the Montgomery County Pomona Grange.
Ford or Can't Afford Is The Low-Priced
Automobile A Blessing Or A Curse To The
FarmersH" was the subject of lively de-
bate between Messrs. Case and Thompson,
of Liberty Grove Grange, and Mr.. johnson
of Patuxent Grange. The general conclu-
sion was. however. that 90 as high as gaso-
line might the Ford was still aifordable
and necessary TO the farmer of moderate
means as well as to his richer brother. Decid-
eddy the low-priced automobile is bless
ing and not curse
Alexander GUIDE, 0verseer Of the County
Grange, gave most helpful talk on MAX
ing The Most Of The Lecturers Hour" in
which he offered O number Of most prac-
tical suggestions, and closed by urging
members to support and work with their
local lecturers. He was followed by +. J.
Van Hoesen. who was recently appointed
County Demonstration Agent for Mont
gomery county, Maryland speaking on "The
Work OF the County Agent" lie began by
making II clear that County Agent is
neither a farm adviser. an expermenter
nor an expert or specialist lie said, in
part. THE County Agent is not farm adj
wiser, because mere advice is too likely to
be a product Of the imagination rather
than Of experience and product Of vary
ing quality. Instead Of giving advice TO the
farmer. he prefers to counsel with him.
He is not an experimental, because we ex-
pertinent with theories. while we domon-
strate facts. The farmer who seeks profit
from his labor and his acres has neither
the time, the money nor the expert knowl-
edge to successfully conduct experimental
work This is the work Of the Experiment
Station and its force of specialists. And
the County Agent is not an expert because
| his duties are extensive rather than inten-
sive. He Is supposed TO have a working
knowledge Of many lines rather than ex-
pert knowledge along any particular line.
About the only thing in which he is sup
posed to be an expert is in his ability to
find just the expert needed and Oct him on
the job"
In outlining what County Agent is and
what he Is supposed to do. Mr.. Van Hoe
sen said THE County Agent is a coop
orator with the farmer in solving his farm
problems. He is not an outsider. coming
into the community with an axe to grind.
a scheme to promote or with any Interior
object whatever to accomplish. lie is
strictly an insider' seeking only the adj
vancement Of the agricultural interests Of
the community. in general, and Of the in
dividual farmer in particular.
1.-THE County Agent is an organization
booster, working in harmony with the lead
ers Of agricultural thought, who are today
emphasizing rural improvement rather
than merely improved crop production. lie
stands always ready to cooperate with
every organization having for its object
the betterment Of country conditions and
the enrichment Of country life. The coun-
try problem is first Of all a social problem.
and the County Agent is an active factor
in its solution.
THE efficiency Of the County Agent is
particularly noticeable in his demonstra-
ton work This work is but the practical ap-
plication on the farm Of the results Of the
successful experiments conducted by the
Fxperiment Station The County AGENT is