Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1917-01-18
WHY ND. FARMERS
SHOULD ORGANIZE
CLEARLY SHOWN IN ANNUAL RE-
PORTS OF COUNTY DEMON
sTRATioN AGENTS.
ESSENTIAL TO development
Enables Farmers To Aid Themselves
and Each Other In Soiv-
Ing Their Prob
lens.

College Park, Mo-, Jan. lS.-lne ILL.,
provement of farming methods and
conditions in Maryland during the
year past as indicated through tho re-
ports of the several county demon
stration agents has been measured to
a large extent by the growth of farm
ers' organizations in their various Sec
tons. Although steady and consistent
improvement has resulted in most Sec
lions where the Individual demonstra-
tor has carried out his work success
fully, the best results are being OBJ
tanned where the progressive farmers
Of a neighborhood have joined with
the County Agent in forming a local
farmers club, grange, or community
association. Through cooperation with
such farmers organizations the infiu-
ence of the County Agent is much in
creased. There is better understand
ing of his work, questions are freely
asked and answered, and the average
farmer goes home to his own labors
knowing better how to make use Of
the services Of his County Agent and
along what lines his fellow-farmers
think improvements in his farm opera
tons should be made.
In Hartford county, for instance,
through the influence of the county
grange organization and the several
local farmers clubs, the farmers of
that section are progressing rapidly in
improving farming conditions. Where
here and there. an individual or a
neighborhood showed commendable
progress, whole communities, and. in
fact, the agricultural interests of the
entire county are awake to the needs
Of their section. Following the or
ganization of various communities In
the county into clubs, oranges, and as.
sociations, the farmers Of Hartford
county have organized other associa-
tons for the promotion Of special In.
dustries to which the county is adapted,
such as COW testing, corn breeders.
and milk producers associations that
are already bearing practical fruit in
ness in this section.
The presence and growth OF these
organizations has been especially help
full in enabling the farmers Of Hartford
county to make the most intelligent
use Of their County Agent, T. e. Nc
Laughlin, who has accomplished some
most helpful work during his first
years employment. The most recent
step in which he has actively cooper
ated has been In the organization OF
eleven boys agricultural clubs in con-
nection with the schools Of Hartford
county and with the consent and sup
port of the school authorities. In TAX
ing this advanced step, Hartford county
has taken another long stride toward
settling the question Of how We shall
keep the farm boy on the farm. Yet
without the strong backing Of local
farmers clubs and oranges, such for
ward step could not have been taken
or thought Of The best support that
any county demonstration agent re-
ceives comes from the progressive
farmers clubs and oranges Of his coun-
ty whom he has convinced OF the value
Of his services and the most practical
method Of developing the agricultural
interests Of his territory. On the other
hand, the Maryland farmer who is
making the greatest profitable proft
and at the same time getting the most
healthy enjoyment out of life for his
family and himself is the member OF
the local farmers club or grange or
community association made possible
through his efforts and intelligent CO
operation with his County Demonstra-
ton Agent and his State College Of
Agriculture