The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-06-14

earning power also helps the white peO-
pie to make genuine progress During
1915, so Mr.. Pierce reports to Bradford
Knapp, chief OF the States Relations
Service. South, 40 Negro corn demon
strators In Virginia, cultivating 2,150
acres under improved methods, secured
an average yield Of thirty-three bushels
per acre. This was an increased yield
of 90 bushels on demonstration plots
over plots cultivated by ordinary meth
DDS. In addition, 1,OO1 co-operators re-
ported yield Of twenty-four bushels
per acre on 1862 acres.
Granting that similar result could
be obtained by all those who raise corn
If only education could be carried on
broadly, Virginia In single year would
add $40, ,000, 600 to the value Of her out
put of corn. Who,dares.t to be skeptical
or cynical Of the Negroes interest In
better methods of farming>in the light
Of these facts? -
Corresponding results have been &C.
cured In the small grains dernonstra-
tious. The average yield Of oats per
acre on demonstration plots was 1870
bushels, representing an increased yield
Of 81 bushels and Of wheat 1871 BUSH
els, representing an increased yield of
90 bushels. Today over 1000 Negro
farmers are using better methods of
growing small grains on account Of the
governments interest in them.
.D Does all this pay in dollars and cents,
In increased interest in farming, in bet
ter homes? To ask the question is to
answer it-certainly! IT
Hay, forage, cover crops! These
words commonly mean little. To the
Negro farmer Of Virginia they now
spell success on the land. The local
demonstration agents have worked night
the importance Of making the land pro-
duce without wearing 1t OUT more
food for man and beast and this story
Of awakening life Oh the farm.
Community development along all
good lines!t This Is the object"of the
1874 Negro farmers clubs which were
organized in 1910 throughout Virginia
through the cooperation Of John B.
Pierce and sixteen local demonstration
agents working under the States Re-
lations Service and the extension divi.
sion Of the Virginia Polytechnic insti-
tute at Blacksburg. The total member
ship OF the clubs was 1888 and repre-
sented progressive, farsighted group
of farmers I'm the Old Dominion.
These clubs made a good beginning In
cooperation by buying 2,234 tons of
lime Five Of the local agents also
kept bulletin board, listing goods for
sale and goods wanted.
What do the local demonstration
agents do besides helping the farmers
till their land and grow better crops?
Here is partial list, based on Mr.
Pierce's 1916 report Of the farm and
farmstead improvements which the
farmers of Virginia, have made with
the advice and assistance Of the agents:
r. Buildings erected, 130; farm build
ings painted or whitewashed, $50; san
itary conditions (farm and home) i'm
proved, 833; homes screened against
dies, 1877; farmers furnished with plans
and induced to adopt a systematic ro-
tation, 1876; total acreage put under ro-
tation, 1895; drainage system estab-
lished, 80; home water systems in
stalled or improved, 55; home grounds
improved, 894; home gardens planted
or improved, 1,198; farmers induced to
save surplus farm products for winter
use, 1878. .-:1~
Can there be any question that the
work Of the local agent is limited mere
ly to helping the farmer grow more
crops so that he can secure more -mOn-
ey to raise more crops? We think not
That increased earning power is an
importsnt and basal factor must be
evident to the careful observer Of ru-
raj conditions. That better living Is
a worthy goal for the hardwOrking
farmer and his family is recognized by
those who are engaged in carrying to
the Negro farmers of Virginia gospel
Of hope which is based upon intelligent
work and Christian good will. 3.