The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-01

II y
Project Leader am trying to lead the
different local leaders to see that We
should have aims for 1924. and each
local leader thus far has received q
letter the substance OF which is this.
TO finish their projects 1000.
To be a champion in both county
and state.
To be real club member
TO attend all meetings.
TO meet all requirements by which
a charter or seal is gained.
TO set a goal and keep il.
In making these aims ! have taken
into consideration our own county
and they seemed 10 be the factors that
we have been falling in.
Dairy projects were reported by
Clyde Getehell:
Dairy meetings have been held in
four communities at which time the
methods of taking the milk samples
for testing We're explained as well as
actual illustration of herd in which
a number of cows were boarders. BY
this means a number of men were en-
rolled and signiiled their willingness
to conform to the requirements for
carrying on the Know Your Cow nro-
icct, which deals with testing of lin
diydual COWS. II is to be carried on
in eight communities the coming year
and four have already been secured
with men enrolled. Not much def
mite work has been done with it as
yet since it will take considerable
work with private individuals in ord
er to get them started for their first
test. This can be done after travel
ing becomes somewhat more settled
better than at any other time in the
year This test will be run three
times during the year, probably early
summer, late fall and winter.
Although accredited herd work is
not among the standard projects for
the county, it is and probably will be
for some time one of the largest pieces
Of work which we can do. The de-
mand for test work in the various
communities has been constant, but
as yet because of the limit OF such
men to carry on the work only two
communities Arson and East New
Portland and vicinity. Probably 800
or $50 COWS have been tested with
only one reacting in North Arson.
Since the work in East New Portland
was carl leu vi ll1lS list Wpeh tlle re-
suits have not been secured. It Is
planned to do some of this work in
each community during the year 1924.
3 Forestry reports by A. {. Head of
Scion:
Forestry work was not originally
included in The county program but
because of the fact that 4696 of Som
erset County is made up of forest or
timber land, a slight beginning has
been made with this type Of extension
work
Three subject matter meetings were
held taking up timber estimating and
forest tree planting, and cutting and
thinning. These meetings were held
in Madison Center, North Arson and
East New Portland. for the three
meetings the total attendance was 76,
and a great deal of interest was
shown. Even at the present date
numerous farmers have been inquir-
ing as to the planting of forest trees,
where to secure seedlings and other
similar questions. The week OF April
7 Myron Watson, the forestry special
list conducted two timber estimating
demonstrations, one in Madison Cen
ter and the other in North Arson. The
total attendance for these two meet
ings was q and each man was given
an opportunity to estimate a a acre
plot. More work along these lines
will be done the latter part of the
summer or early fall, since a num-
Der of people have asked for timber
estimating demonstrations within the
past week or two.
ORGANIZATION
The plan adopted at the February
committee meeting for increasing the
membership was not a success only
few members were secured this way.
1t is very doubtful but there is only
one way of securing. memberships,
and this is by actually interested
persons, personally soliciting mem
bers. This is shown by Mrs. Nelly
George of Norridgewock Mrs
George is rs years old and very inter
ested in extension and farm bureau
work When asked to state why she
had such good luck In securing mem
bers she made the following state
ments: Il think one reason why |
was so successful was due to my be-
ing so interested in the work. |
did not try to over persuade them
but simply told them of the help they
would obtain by joining the Farm
Bureau and attending the meetings.
also told them that l did not know
where they could invest one dollar
and get so much in return. The So
cial part is we'll worth what we have
to pay besides the benefits we re-
ceive."
The membership however is better
than last year at the end of the year
We now have 637 members as COM
pared with $50 last June There is
one big factor to consider however
and that is although the membership
is practically the same the number of
men has dropped approximately 100.
Whereas the total mems membership
at present is 244 the women have 399
or 1876 more. 1t is true that in some
communities practically all those who
have been or are located so that they
can be members are. but in others
very little active soliciting has been
done by members. 1t is hoped that
the coming year this draw back can
be remedied. In order to get some
idea of the work done by the County