The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-02-10
Working Toward a
College Education
(Erom Southern Ruralist)


Nellie C.. Smith, Of the Coleraine
Girls Home Demonstration Club of
Union county, South Carolina. Is an
enthusiastic club member, because
she loves the work and has been very
successful in all she has undertaken.
Nellie was one of the first girls to
join the club at its organization in
the fall Of 1919. and stlce that time
she has been most loyal follower of
the All sign. The organization of
the girls of this community marked
the beginning of great progress both
in the homes and in the school. Prior
to this time Home Demonstration
work had not been introduced into
the community, and there were few
interests outside the immediate sec
tion.
In joining the club Nellie says:
II Joined because / thought
could learn something which would
be of much Importance, and at the
same time l could be earning some
money to help pay my way through
college"
With these high aspirations, it is
no wonder that Nellie has made a
success of her club work.
Nellie's chief interest is in grow
ing vegetables, so she joined the gar
dening and canning club. She con-
centrated her efforts on the growing
Of tomatoes on her tenth-acre plot.
This plan might not be advisable in
some communities, but in this par
ticular instance it worked well, be-
cause Nellie knew where she could
best market her tomatoes. During
the growing season the garden re-
ceived the best attention under the
supervision of the County Home
Demonstration Agent. Miss Mahala
j. Smith. No detail of care and cul-
tivation was neglected by this ener-
getic club girl. AS soon as leaf spot
appeared, spraying was done more
regularly than before. AS result
of constant and careful attention a
large crop was harvested. On July 3,
the first ripe tomatoes were gather
ed, and during the next three months
Nellie marketed 1,478 pounds. The
market was a mill village near by,
and the people were anxious to get
fresh vegetables and were willing to
pay a good price for them
At the first of the season the price
for tomatoes was so cents per dozen,
but it soon dropped lower. The av-
erage price received during the sea
son was 80 cents per dozen. In this
connection we must not fail to say
that Nellie's father was a very in
terested' and helpful assistant. He it
was who drove to the mill village
every few days to sell the tomatoes.
If they did not bring the price he
expected to get, he refused to sell,
and took them back home to be can
ned for winter use. Insthis way Mel
lie stored 80 No; 2rans O. Z the pantry
shelf. All during the summer the
family table was kept we'll supplied
with the luscious fruit, 381 pound,
being used for this purpose.
Nellie carried on another line of
work in connection with her garden
ing. The club girls were having reg
ular sewing lessons, and Nellie was
a faithful and efficient seamstress
She made her club apron and cap.
besides several other pieces of cloth
ing.
1t would be impossible to enumer-
ate the many benefits received
through the club, and the club work.
In financial way, Nellie made a net
profit of $123.S4. This amount is on
deposit in Union bank, and has been
put there for the express purpose Of
helping defray college expenses when
Nellie goes to college. Another III
suit of her work is the effect it ha !,
had on the community. Other club
members were informed of this good
club work and it has helped to arouse
the interest of old and young in ex-
tension work with view to making
the Coleraine community better
plhCe Ill WTlCn 10 i've. AC recent
public gathering and picnic an inn
mense crowd assembled to learn bet
ter methods of farming and home
making, and to discuss other forms of
community improvement.
Nellie won a scholarship to the
State Home Demonstration Short
Course held at Winthrop College tn
past June, and happier girl was not
to be found among the 200 girls in
attendance. She took part in everv
form of work and play that was of
fered, and took advantage of every
opportunity afforded her by Win
throp College. Her special course
while there was in jelly-making, and
she so mastered this art that on her
return home she gave splendid
demonstration to the women and
girls of her home club. Nellie likes
Winthrop SO well that she hopes to
return in year or two as full
fedged college student.