The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1918-01-02
Brief Summary of Work By J. 7. Pitnad, County
Agent For Ben Hill County fol The Past Year

ing OF better methods OF caring for
live stock, especially the prevention
of diseases by sanitation methods and
destroying parasites and germs OF
dead carcasses, etc.
MILEAGE-I have travelled a dis
tance OF 1880 miles in my agr;cu-
tural activities to aid the farmers in
some farm problem.
PHONE CALLS-1l96 phone calls
have been answered relative to some
information needed or for some spc-
cific work to be done for some one.
LETTERS-1840 letters have been
sent out to farmers and club mem
bers giving needed information from
time to time.
1000 circular letters and bulletins
have been distributed to the people as
an educatve matter. and advertising
agricultural meetings
FERTILIZERS = Farmers have
been taught the judicious use and fun
ctlons OF fertilizers. A saving in this
one respect will amount to thousand,
OF dollars. When farmers are learn
ing to reduce his fertilizer bills and
at sle same time increase his cron
yields he is saving his money to in
crease the earning power of his own
arm ant thus be able to distribute
more money to his home town ami
county where it is needed.
/ SOILS have been tested and linn,
recommended to correct the acidity
where needed Farmers have oecn
ADVISED to use more lime for the
purpose OF building up their soils.
ne proper saving of farm manure>
and the intelligent use of same has
been urged One farmer in speaking
OF this one item said that it had been
worth hundreds of dollars to him.
PLANS-Specifcations for farm
improvements in the way of blue
prints for dwellings,, barns. storage
houses. etc, handed down from the
federal Department and the State
department of Agriculture have been
distributed to farmers. A few of our
farmers are beginning to install these
improvements on their farms.
| LABOR SAVING DEVICES
Many labor saving devices have been
introduced and recommended to the
people.
| OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES have an
organized club membership of 90 BOYS
1nd girls i'll the county who are do
ing active work and receiving in
Itructlons during the year. They arc
learning how to grow crops and care
thor livestock. Above all, thew are
N earning to like these things and to
XaVe greater interest in increased
ttroductlon and earning power.
| MEE 1!NGS--Agricultural meetings
! Ind Institutes have been held all over
ne county at different times during
ne year: In this way practically
everybody in the county have had
very valuable information from time
70 time. While some fellow NAV nor
De at the meeting the information and
the sentiment gets in the atnosDherc
and results are reached. .
summary Condensed for 1917
MY work as county agent has COW
efed all crops grown in this latitude
ana az few others that are being in
tFoduced Suggestions a:ld instruct
IONS were given on the best methods
OF planting and cultivating these
crops. how to select seed, how TO nre-
pare hot beds, and how to use ferti-
llizers judiciously We have induced
FARMERS to stump, drain, terrace. and
diversity. a general Improvement is
rapidly going on.
we have decided Improvement in
the live stock industry. Farmers are
being induced to get in pure-bred
stock by safe gradation as fast as
they can-our slogan is, DO away
with the scrub"
1 we are showing the farmer how to
combat and control diseases and pests
by sanitation and using such remedies
] and precautions as is recommended
4 by the government
/ we give lessons at the proper time
to those who have orchards on spray
ing. pruning, and caring for the trees
to best advantage. New orchards
and especially the "home orchard" is
agitated
we are trying to increase the earn
Ing power of the farmer by raising
mis- standard in horse power and inn
proved implements. AS a result of
fhls, we are getting in larger mules
Ian4 more improved implements.
Farmers have been organized over
Ithc county to combat the boil weeyil
Iphfl other pest and to work in NIL
.ual way to encourage and help his
|9eaghbor farmer. These ORGANIZATIONS
tih iii controlling hog cholera and
stcIcr diseases as we'll as insect pests
Toys and girls in every school COM
fnu1lty have been organized into ac-
Tive workers in agricultural improve
meats. Instructions and literature
are sent to them and they are visited
from time to time.