Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-15
Facts for Farmers. Stock
Breeders, Poultry Raisers,
Orchardists, Truckers and Gar.
deners---Queyies and ANSWERS
SOME FARMERS GUILTY OF
THIS KIND OF "SLACKING"
DO Not Slight the Work OF the Farm
Demonstration AEenr-Ie Can
Iie1p You.

one way OF showing patriotism just
now is by supporting the efforts of the
government 10 Increase tho food and
feed supply OF the United States. The
men and women in the demonstration
work are making every effort TO help
Virginia maintain and increase crop
production yet there are some who
are bclittlins the efforts OF these
workers.
Is Il no: possible that the man who
deridcs the efforts OF the farm and home
demonstration agent in his county can
fairly be termed ono kind OF
Stacker" Doubtless there arc some
inefficient agents. just as there are in
efficient men in every profession. but
this does not warrant condemninG cN-
tension work as whole. Criticism is
always welcomed by those responsible
for the work in Virginia. but i; should
be constructive, not destructive.
Since the United States entered this
war the county agent has done valiant
service. In the counties Of Nirs
having agents wonderful results have
been attained III increasing the acreage
planted I" crops with corresponding.
increase in the production o. corr.
wheat. oats potatoes, hay and other
food and feed crops in the Improvement
of live stock and tho development OF
tEc dairy and cheese making industry.
Gcvis:nG means for meeting the labor
situation quickly and adequately. Sccur-
ing OF loans for farmers from the Fed
cral Reserve Loan Board FOR the pur-
chase of machinery and fertilizer, and
giving every possible aid 10 the plan
Tor sane and safe farming in the State.
DR.. Nrooman. Assistant Secretary OF
Agriculture IN the United States, did
not exagGeraie when he called the
county agents American aGriculturc's
first line of defense
Getting the Negroes in Line.
The Sumter. :. 9. Council of Defense.
in lining up the whole county fox war
work. incidentally discovered gold
mine L. r. RcardoH. council secretary.
officially reports the facts
Oye" half the population is black.
The council invited Il leading negro. u.
w. WeStbcrry. TO its meetings. and
asked his help. lie gave a month TO
organizing meetings. the council buy
ing his gasoline. Leading white men
and negroes spoke At each meeting.
Negroes were invited 20 ali county
rallies whore distinguished speakers
from abroad spoke. The white town
ship committees visited every colorcd
family TO preach cStraordinary food
production ana conversation. and the
reasons therefor.
They interested colored teachers.
and have the pupils taught all about
tho war. and H.; causes. and that food
Viii win IL. Thcy induced tho negroes
over the county TO organize Red Cross
chapters. TO buy Liberty loan bonds.
and TO educate their people that II is
as much their war as tho white mans :.
hundreds Of white farmers preached
food production TO tenants. Thousands
OF packages o: seed were distributed.
>olorcd women were organized FOR
sood conservation.
We got the darkies 20 doing Jus,
what We were doing. says Mr.. Rcardon
ana he gives the results:
There is more prosperity IN Sumter
County than ever before. Thousands
Of colorcd farmers have paid clean out
or debt: paid old debts from tobacco
money. and have their cotton clear. BY
getting into close touch MN the col
or'd men and women. and helping
them. Ne have made this ono OF the
most prosperous counties in the South
Where twelve months ago poverty pre-
vailed and actual want. nearly every
colorcd family has plenty or chickens
sweet potatoes. hogs, for a year; and
we have induced thousands TO can
vegetables berries and fruit.
we arc delighted with tho results
We a-e keeping II UP. All tho colored
man needs is Intelligent leadership and
cooperation. BY having tho loyal and
intelligent colorcd leaders in touch
with white leaders ana giving sup
port. financial and moral we easily
I lined Mp the colorcd population for
their good and our good. But wa had
to so 10 them. and have them come TO
IL. No social restrictions were broken
down. We worked on business priu-
c:p!cs; and they understood this"
No aftcr-thc- Establishments in
business Will impcril this brand OF