Sharp County record., 1917-01-12
10000 BOYS HAVE
BEEN IN CLUBS
Boys Corn, Pig, Cotton and Peanut
Clubs Expect to Double Men,
bership In 1917.

From AZ members in 1908 to more
than 5000 members in 1916 shows the
remarkable growth Of the Boys Corn,
Pig, Cotton and Peanut Clubs Of the
state under the direction Of w. J. Jer-
nigan assisted by H. X. Sanders, in
charge Of the Pig Clubs, During these
eight years more than 10000 boys
have received instruction and carried
on demonstrations In growing corn,
peanuts, cotton and pigs in every
county in the state at one time or an
other.
Mrs. Lucy Critz, home demonstra-
ton agent in Jefferson county, has
the distinction of organizing the first
corn club of the state in White coun-
ty nine years ago. Since the work
began the clubs have fourished until
at the present time the total member
ship of the Boys and Girls Clubs ap-
proximates 10000,
'. Remarkable Records Made.
Many remarkable records have been
made by the blue ribbon farmer boys
of Arkansas during the existence Of
the Boys Clubs, and the average yield
of the corn club members each year
has been double that of the state. The
same is true Of both cotton and pea
nut yields, while the pig club boys
have demonstrated that pound or
more Of flesh can be put on a hog
each day at cost Of less than four
cents pound, while in many in
stances pork can be produced as low
as two and one-half cents a pound.
Many Boys Win Scholarships.
Through hard work and persist
ent effort 70 follow the instructions of
the men in charge Of the clubs Of the
state, many boys have won local fame
and scholarships which have enabled
them to attend school, thus becoming
real scientific farmers. Many have
explained their success in short, con-
else statements which should be help
full and encouraging to others boys in
the state who may anticipate joining
their ranks. Fay Williams Of Sebas-
tian county when asked what effect
the club work. has had upon his life
answered, II have learned for all time
that more brains and less muscle
is the thing that wins" Lester Ge-
rard of Columbia county writes, II
have learned to meet failure with a
smile and never give up" Joe Reed
Of Washington county attributes his
success to the fact that he has learn
ed how to handle the soil so as to
make 1t produce the most at the least
cost. These boys and many others
have made from 100 to 1T bushels OF
corn on ordinary Arkansas soils for
not only one, but many seasons. They
are becoming real live, progressive
Arkansas farmers, well trained, ana
certainly most desirable citizens for
any community.
Parents Believe In Club Work.
Early in the spring the father OF
Elsie Davis a little girl living in Poin-
sett county, bought a 3O.pound pig
for her at the apparently exhorbitant
price of $1,000. Eleven weeks from
the day she received the pig It weigh
ed 143 pounds at a cost Of about two
cents a pound. AT that time Elsies
father said: ~ certainly believe In
the pig club work have learned
more from Elsie during the four
months she has belonged to the pig
club than learned In 80 years Of ex-
perience. All scrubs are bound to
60 in this section, where neigh.
bore and friends have been able
to see what can be done with pigs
when they are properly fed" Mr.
Carlisle, a large land owner in Sebas'
tian county, says: IT have learned a
lesson in deep plowing through my
son, who is a member OF the corn
club OF this county, and ! con-
slider that II Is worth more
than all the money have ever
spent or ever shall spend as taxes for
demonstration work in this county.
10000 Club Members For 1917.
There Is no question but that the
boys who belong to the various clubs
Of the state are learning O great deal,
enjoy their work, and are receiving
larger yields and greater receipts for
their efforts than those who do not be-
long to the clubs. All Arkansas farm
boys between the ages OF 10 and Is
years should belong
Every father and mother interested
in the future OF boys OF the club age
should urge thom to join u club 10
that they may compete favorably later
on with tho boys OF the neighborhood
who are taking advantage OF the In
struotion which Ia being given to them
by Mr. W, ], Jornlgan and Mr.. II. X,
Saunders and pll of tho county agents,
"Twelye Thousand Boys in the
Boys Clubs OF Arkansas For 1917" Ii
the slogan recently adopted by the
Extension Division Of the University
of Arkansas and u, s, Department OF