The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1919-03-20

board of directors, but no township
committees have been organized.
, One active farmers club and two
stock shipping associations have been
organized by the agent, and there are
requests for more of both. These two
associations effected an estimated saw
ing to farmers of 1858.
b. Improvement and Distribution OF
Seed--While this project was intended
to aid in the Improvement OF all seed
and crops grown in the county, corn
was to be considered as the major di.
vision, the county having a bright out.
look as a corn growing locality il in
creased attention is given to the use
of seed of better vitality and breed
ing, and proper methods Of rotation
and cultivation. The vital question in
the spring was to obtain sufficient
quantities of viable seed corn. Corn
from several cribs was tested, and
found to contain seed that would grow.
The agent tested or had charge of the
testing of about 800 bushels of seed
such amount of seed producing SIS, 900
worth more of corn than same amount
of INFESTED seed. Check was also kept
on supplies of seed shipped in. or to
be shipped. During September the
selection of much seed corn was en-
couraged by the use of posters; news
paper articles; visits with elevator
men, and individual farmers. The
agent doubted the expediency Of meet
ings when everyone va threshing.
Flax increase vas encouraged on &C
count of war needs. Attention was
given &c treatment Of seed for smut
and scab, and the removal of common
barberry. Had calls relative to potato
blight, alfalfa incubation.
c. Live Stock Improvement-This
project has not received due attention
from the Improvement side. Animal
disease has had some part, newspaper
articles and personal advice being CIV
en- relative to sore mouth of pigs dur.
ing September and October and 200
hogs were vaccinated on the recon-
mendation of the agent, with an esti-
mated saving of $500, while several
other farmers asked advise. | have
done no va~ccinating, but have IN
couraged preventive measures, the use
of double standard vaccination, and
proper disposal of carcasses. A few
other sick calls for individual animals
have been answered.
d. Home Demonstrations - Home
work was carried on by the Home
Demonstration agent, Miss Jones, who
worked in four counties. Eleven
meetings were attended. whit total at
tendance OF 4O1. Eleven home visits
were made in eight townships. Two
fair and show exhibits were judged.
Eight wheat saving demonstrations
were held with an attendance of 273.
Seven food preservation demonstra,
tons we're given with an attendance
of 1923. Canning card data shows 49,
821 quarts Of vegetables, canned, dried
and stored, and fruit canned and
stored to be 1929 quarts.
Z. Weed Eradication-This project
has had but little development, except
as to notice to keep roads clear of
weeds.
F. Farm Help-This has been a
vital question to the entire county,
since the start Of the bureau work,
because Of so many men being drafted.
Every effort was made by the agent
and his community men to furnish and
distribute help. The local Office sent
120 men to 100 farms, and the sub
Offices 60 men to so farms. Things
were not always rosy, for a very few
times there was help than could
be placed, and oftener there were
calls that could not be filled, but in
general a district service was render
ed. Often hands were taken to farm
ers who would have actually had to
stop their harvester a half day In or
der to come to town to look for them.
On the other hand, many of the work
ing men. some of whom stayed in the
county all fall, would come back to
the Office when they had finished one
job and wanted another. and say. I'VE
like this arrangement. The wages are
satisfactory, and we have never lost
little time between jobs. We hope
you will be here next year." Several
times, being unable to furnish badly
needed help for a day. l have gone out
myself.
G. Boys and Girls Club Work
owing to the ~lateness of arrival, Gard
en- Club work only was emphasized.
clubs, with a membership
Of $50, were organized in the schools
Of the eight towns Of the county.
Many splendid gardens were grown
and several interesting meetings held.
Press OF work during the later sum-
mer kept the agent from doing full
to the follow up work with
these clubs. but several of them COM
pleted the seasons work. under the
able leadership of their local leaders.
two of them taking first and second
for garden club boothe at the State