Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1924-04-03

ty are alarmed over the movement
on foot to dispose with the Office of
Farm Demonstration Agent, which
Mr.. John B. Steele has filled to the
great benefit of our farmers for the
past two years. In order that those
interested in, the work may have the
opportunity of interposing objections
to his dismissal, and that those op-
posed to the farm program may give
their reasons for such oppositions,
in other words that the populace may
get together on the proposition, a
mass meeting of the good citizens
cf the county is called for next Mon
day March 7, at IL a. m. at the
court house in Boone North Caro-
lima, at which time the die will be
cast. either pro or con.
At this time it seems almost Grim
inal to dispose with the County agent.
Mr. Steele has accomplished perhaps
more, and under greater difficulties,
and we might say more of them, than
any county agent in the state. At
the beginning of his tenure in Office
two years ago, Az launched a pro-
gram of progress it might be called,
which at the time it seemed almost
impossible to carry out. At first only
few fell in line but this number
has gradually been increased until to-
day those of the farmers who have
been so wonderfully benefited are
almost furious at the step that is
being taken to put the brakes on
the wheels of agricultural prosperity
in thisUounty. We are in hopes that
some of those who are opposed to
the work, are that way because they
not thoroughly understand the plan
therefore, it is fitting at this point
to go into some of the details of the
proposition.
Methods
The first great object of the coun-
ty agent work is to get the farmers
organized, instruct them grow
more and better stuff, buy supplies
comparatively, market comparatively
and work together for the common
veal. Take the apple business. Last
year Mr.. Steele assisted only a few
to properly care for their fruit This
year more than double the number
are planning to spray, fertilize and
prun orchards. Mr.. Bob Taylor the
largest commercial orchardist in the
county perhaps, says that County ag.
ent Hendron of Wilkes should have
credit for $4,000 worth of the i'm.
provement made on his farm due to
timely advice given. Another farm.
er says that without the income from
his association potato crop that he
would have otherwise lost, he would
have been unable to pay his taxes
the past year.
Progress Attained
When Mr.. Steele came here he
was a stranger, therefore the first
thing to do was to get acquainted
This takes time. After learning who
would work with him, he started or
the potato proposition, giving the ma
tior part of his attention to that work
The second year the kraut business
was added, in the meantime giving
some attention to poultry and apple
work, the plan being to get a few
started in each community and lei
the neighbors observe the results
The potato growers sold this yea
$500 bushels of potatoes which pait
the grower $1.70 per bushel or S.,
600, which is that much money tha
would have otherwise never been il
local circulation. We are told tina
"only small number of farmers ar,
growing potatoes" Fact is, less thar
20 grew these. They could just a
easily have sold 10000 bushels. On,
man visited Boone last fall who wan
ted 27,000 bushels. The net incom
from these potatoes is far better thai
cotton, tobacco, etc. This year tn
farmer averaged 230 or $500 pc