The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1920-03-25
COUNTY AGENTS
Men Who Put Farm Work On a
More intelligent and
Profitable Basis
BY w. M. Goodman.

Notwithstanding the rapid develop
ment in manufacturing and other in.
dustries in the southeastern states
since 1890, and the wonderful possible
tiles for the expansion of such enter
priseS which are now so plainly appar-
ent, it was out of the soil that We made
the greater part of the wealth which
was ours in the past, and out OF the
soil will come the greater part OF our
wealth in the future. This section is
essentially agricultural, and farming
will always lie its leading industry.
Therefore We should make the most OK
opportunities offered for the advance
ment of farming interests.
Even under old methods Of farming
methods which have caused our
lands to become less productive year
by year-the farm incomes OF each
county have run into millions Of dol
lars annually. In counties where com.
petent demonstration agents have been
employed, rapid progress is noted in
the change from one-crop systems and
consequent depletion Of soil fertility
to diversified farming and soil improve
nent.
Where this change has occurred,
farm incomes have been largely in.
creased and the cost of operation de.
creased by reason Of greater prOduc-
ton of food and forage crops.
When the agricultural interests Of
whole counties have been furthered In
this way, as a direct result Of the
work Of county agents, farm incomes
will be more than doubled-millions Of
dollars will be ADDED each year 20 the
circulating capital Of each county aud
to its permanent wealth. !
Figuring Costs and Profits. 4
When we figure costs and profits
allowing $500 or $1,000 as the amount
paid by county for a competent
agent (the Federal and State govern.
ments paying the balance) we will find
upon estimating the population OF
counties thar the average cost to each
individual will be in the neighborhood
of four or five cents, and that the work
Of the county demonstration, as shown
by actual results in many sections, will
add many dollars to the per capita
wealth. I,
County's Best Asset.
The county demonstration agent who
makes increased soil fertility the basis
of all his efforts, is one Of the best
business assets county can have,
and it is short-sighted policy not to
give him proper financial and moral
support. On the leadership of such
agents depends the success Of all move.
ments toward better farming-ths
prosperity which we may have in re-
turn for intelligent, well-directed eff
forts to promote soil and crop improve
ment work.
Science is applied common sense.
The demonstration agent is scientist,
and should know how to impart to
Others the knowledge he has acquired.
He should show the farmer what TO
do and how to do it, and lead him
away from old practices and crude
methods to higher efficiency and Suc-
cess. This is what he is doing in most
cases. The Federal government knows
his value and pays large proportion
Of the cost of his work. The cost to
the county is small-much less than t
should be-lnuch less than it will be
when The county knows his value-nor
more today with cotton selling around
thirty-fve cents a pound than when it
brought only ten cents. He should
have better pay, and the cooperation
of all classes Of workers-farmers,
business men and all others who share
in the general prosperity Of asricu1'
tura1 sections.