The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-07-10
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
{ SERVICE

of the State and Federal govern
ments for the promotion of agri-
culture and home economics, has
rounded out ten years of service.
In a comprehensive report, cover
ing the work of the ten year period,
DR.. Thomas B. Symons, Director,
points as follows to some OF the adj
yancement that has taken place in
the agriculture of the State since
the inauguration of Extension Work
in Maryland.
zone OF the most valuable contri-
buttons of the Extension Service to
the agricultural development OF the
State has been its continued effort to
bring about organization among
farmers. Its help and assistance in
the formation, the maintenance and
the proper functioning OF agricul-
tural organizations have been inn
portant elements in the success OF
practically every agricultural or
ganization and cooperative associa-
ton in the State.
These organizations are today
operating in every part of Maryland.
Some OF them are engaged in CO.
operative selling of farm products
valued at millions of dollars an
nually; some in cooperative buying
Of commodities which each year total
hundreds of thousands OF dollars;
and all of them are striving to place
agriculture on higher plane, in
crease it's recognition and influence
and develop its social life.
SIN the production of farm crops,
the Extension Service has directed
its attention to the introduction OF
improved varieties; to the control OF
destructive insects and diseases, and
to profitable cultural methods which
have been tested and proven by the
Experiment Station. Through its eff
forts, the use of purebred seed corn
and higher yielding strains OF wheat
have become more general. 1t has
encouraged the planting of alfalfa,
soybeans and other legume crops,
both because of their value as soil
improving agents and because OF
their desirable qualities as patsure
and hay for livestock. Legume
crops are now grown generally
throughout Maryland and in larger
volume than ever before and fills
an importan place in the ,agricul-
ture of State where dairying is so
Important an industry.
I'm the improving of the dairy
industry in the State, the Extension
Service has rendered valuable assist
ance. Through its efforts, purebred
dairy cattle have become more
numerous, better feeding methods
prevail and COWS capable of in
creased milk production have been
bred and introduced. Cow testing
associations in the important dairy
ing counties OF the State have given
farmers the opportunity to discover
the profit and loss on their own herds
and to discard animals that have not
paid their way. Purebred bulls
and hundreds of milk cows have
been selected by specialists and
county agents for farmers who have
desired to improve their herds.
Through the agricultural boys club
work alone, the Extension Service
has helped in the organization and
has supported the three big dairy
marketing associations in the State
which are now doing an aggregate
annual business for Maryland mem
bers we'll in excess of seven million
dollars. Likewise it has been an
important factor in getting farmers
to have their herds tested for tuber-
culosis, thus serving both the far
mer and the city consumer OF milk.
I'm promoting the livestock in
dustry throughout the State, the
:. Extension Service has endeavored
particularly to encourage the eco
nomical production of sheep and
swine and beef cattle. 1t has as
sisted farmers materially in combat
ing parasitic pests and diseases to
which sheep and swine are subject,
and has aided especially in the cam
paign against hog cholera. Where
ever possible it has promoted among
farmers the cooperative sale of lambs
and wool, and at time when wool
was unmarketable at satisfactory
prices, introduced a movement to,
have wool manufactured into blank
els, thereby helping farmers secure
a reasonable price for their product
I'm the farm home and in the
social activities of the rural COM
munity, the Extension Service has
performed services similar to those
provided for agriculture. 1t has as
sisted women in the country to or
ganize clubs and associations where
home and community problems can
be dicussed and attacked through
united efforts. 1t has constantly