The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1924-06-03
4.5OO ARE ENGAGED
AS EXTENSION FARM
WORKERS IN U. S.
A STEADY GROWTH IS SHOWN
IN THE MOVEMENT IN THE
PAST TEN YEARS.
COST 20 MILLION ANNUALLY
Federal Director Produces Figures on
Tenth Reunion of Service. Former
Senator Smith of Georgia One of
Authors of Measure.

Authors of Measure.
The tenth reunion of agricultural
extension work under provisions OF
the Smith-Lever act, passed in May,
1914, was observed this month by an
nouncement from c. w. Warbutton,
director OF the federal extension SER
vice, that $500 men and women now
are engaged in conducting extension
activities in all states, writes F. M.
r. in the Baltimore Sun.
In the 10 years that have passed
the number of county agricultural
agents has increased to 2,28o. There
are o21 women home demonstration
agents, l26 boys and girls club
agents and staff OF 800 extension
specialists who cooperate with the
agents in their work with agricultural
colleges.
Although farm demonstration work
had been under way for some 10
years in the south under the leader
ship OF DIR. S. A. Knapp, it is pointed
out by Mr. Warbutton, and although
various phases of extension work have
developed in the different sections of
the country, it was not until 1914 that
the movement took on a united CO.
operative national character
Given Impetus by Report.
Extension work among farmers was
given impetus by the report of Pres
ident Roosevelt's Country Life Com
mission in 1909 and shortly thereaf
ter bills providing for federal aid were
introduced by Senator Deliver, of
Iowa, and Representative McLaugh-
lin, of Michigan. Other bills along
similar lines were introduced from
time to time, but all of these failed
until 1914.
Greetings were received upon the
occasion of the tenth anniversary from
the authors of the extension act,
Some idea of the cooperative ex-
tension work last year can be seen in
the statement that 100000 farmers
or members OF their families adopted
new or improved methods of farming
and home-malzing as result of these
activities During the year a total OF
1885, 900 demonstrations were held as
the direct result of extension agent
encouragement More than $1,000 COM
munities in counties now employing
extension agents have local commit
tees or clubs which join the agents
in developing and working out pro-
grams.
In one year $4,000 farmers consult
ed the agents regarding the use of
commercial fertilizers. In addition the
farmers conducted 1926 fertilizer and
4,035 lime demonstrations AS result
of tht activities with lime $4,000 farm
ers used 100000 tons according to the
methods recommended by the agents
on behalf of the federal department of
agriculture and agricultural colleges.
In addition to the above 100000 farm
ers modified their methods of soil
management.
Forage Work Is Important.
Work with hay and forage crops
constitutes one of the most important
lines of work carried on by extension
people. AS a result of activities during
the last year $500 farmers either
grew alfalfa for the first time or inn
proved their methods; 50,820 grew soy
beans; 1875, velvet beans; 23,400,
COW peas; 10,840 crimson clover and
20,250 sweet clover During the year
approximately 100000 farm practices
with reference to the growing of leg
umes or other forage crops were mod
flied
Other important lines of work have
to do with cotton, potatoes, horticul-
ture, rodent-pest control and live
stock.