Daily Kennebec journal., 1918-01-16

advice and assistance the southern
county agent is called upon to give is
indicated by the following information
! taken from the county agents reports:
Through the influence of the agents
farmers We're induced to remove
stumps on 179,3S2 acres to better pre-
pare the land for the use of improved
implements: 21S,9S9 acres were drained
by tile and ditch and 463, ,S56 acres were
terraced; home gardens were estab-
lished or improved on 26,754 farms;
the number of pieces Of improved
farm machinery and implement pur-
chased through the influence Of county
agents was S3,3S9; and orchard work
of many kinds was done, including
spraying, pruning, and other necessary
treatment, the demonstration in this
work involving 544,65S trees.
Considerable attention was given by
county agents in the South to promot-
ing livestock production, 4367 new silos
having been constructed to aid in this
work. and 1929 dipping watts erected
for the control of livestock pests.
Farmers instructed concerning the
porper care Of farm manure num-
bered 45.154, and the estimated saving
during the season approximated TO-
100000 tons. 1t being necessary to
supplement the use of farm manures
and the green crops for soilimprove-
ment purposes with commercial fer
tllizers. 127,131 farmers were instruct
ed in the mixing and use of the COM
mercial products and 1117 communi-
ties were aided by agents in purchas-
ing commercial fertilizers on a CO.
operative basis, resulting in an esti-
mated saving Of s290,766.
In addition to the greatly increased
yields obtained on demonstration
areas, many thousands Of farmers
were shown conclusively how to in
crease their producing power and place
! their farms on better business basis
As result. plans Of operation are
better balanced than before, according
to Department of Agriculture Of
fcials; more farmers understand the
necessity for rotations the main
tenance of soil fertility, and what an
important part live stock plays in
their plans; and they have had
demonstrated to them the increased
value Of purebred cattle, hogs, and
other live stock. The growth Of
sentiment along these lines is indi-
Gated by the following figures, showing
the number Of live stock brought into
county-agent territory through the in
fiuence of the agents: Purebred horses
and mules. 3202: purebred and high
grade dairy cattle, 22,299; purebred
and high grade beef cattle, 32709;
purebred hogs, 1886; purebred sheep
and goats. 1854. Poultry demonstra-
tons involving an. aggregate of 1163,-
$50 fowls were conducted. livestock
diseases and pests received Increased
attention, 2,4SS.426 horses. cattle. hogs
sheep. and goats having been treated
during the last season.
County agents made S09,714 visits
during the year. travelling 3.59O.s57
miles by rail. team, motor car, or 9TH
erwise. During the season the county
agents received 373,O15 official tele
phone or personal calls at their homes
or offices. They held 11708 field meet
ings. which were attended by 132355
persons. They aided in distributing
o40,63o bulletins of the Department of
Agriculture and Of the State agricuI
tural colleges and experiment stations.
The county agent, looked upon as a
local leader. frequently is called upon
TO assist in arranging and holding
agricultural meetings. During the
last season county agents assisted in
arranging for S37 extension schools or
snort courses, with an attendance of
130761.