The Mena weekly star., 1917-01-04
10000 BOYS HAVE
 BEEN IN CLUBS
5syS Corn, Pig, Cotton and Peanut Clubs Expect to Double Mem
 bership in 1917.


 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. ter nigan assisted by H. K. 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. tion 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 fiourished 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 a pound or mora 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 a 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 ful 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, 'I have learned for all time that more brains and less muscle is the thing that wins" Lester Ge- rard of Columbia county writes, q 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 it produce the most at the least cost. These boys and many others have made from 100 to IF 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, little girl living in Poin- sett county, bought a 30-pound pig for her at the apparently exhorbitant price of S10.00. Eleven weeks from the day she received the pig it weigh ed 143 pounds at cost of about two cents pound. At that time Elsie's father said ''I 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 30 years of ex. perience. All scrubs are bound to go in this section, where neigh bore and friends have been able to see what can be done with pigs when they are properly fed" Mir. Carlisle, large land owner in Sebas. tian county, says: "I have learned a lesson in deep blowing through my son. who is a member of the corn club of this county, and con sider that it is worth more than all the money l have ever spent or ever shall spend as taxes for demonstration work in this county.
 12,ooo Club Members For 1917.
 There is no question but that the boys who belong to the various clubs of the state are learning a 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 boyr 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 them to join a club so that they may compete favorably later on with the boys of the neighborhood who are taking advantage of the in- which is being given to them by MT. w. J Jernigan and Mir H. K. 1 and all of the county agents. l Twelve Thousand Boys in the Boys Clubs of Arkansas For 1917' is the slogan recently adopted by the Division of the University of Arkansas and U. S. Department of