Keowee Courier

Meeting at Oakway Was One of Profit and Pleasure.

Seneca, May 27.—Special:

The Oconee County Corn Growers' Association met at Oakway on May 21st at 10 a. m., and was called to order by M. G. Holland. John W. Reynolds was elected secretary of the meeting.

Quite a large crowd of farmers of Oakway and vicinity had assembled, which shows the interest that is being taken in the demonstration work by the farmers of Oconee.

Profs. J. N. Harper and D. N. Barrow, of Clemson College, were present and delivered able addresses on the improved methods of farming. Those gentlemen are live wires in the demonstration work and are of much service to the farming class of people of our county.

Prof. Harper said there were 35,000,000 bushels of corn produced in South Carolina in 1909, and it was not impossible to make 50,000,000 bushels with proper cultivation on this same land. He recommends a 3-year rotation of crops and phosphoric acid as the proper fertilizer for corn; cut out cotton seed meal as a fertilizer at present price; raise more corn and hog and hominy at home; apply nitrate of soda to corn when bunching to tassel, just after a rain if possible. He advised farmers to mix their own fertilizers at home, letting analysis correspond with nature of the soil on which same is to be applied.

Prof. Barrow dwelt principally on the source from which plants receive nutriment, four-fifths of which comes from the air. He said a thorough preparation of soil in the fall and ideal cultivation are essential things if we expect a good crop at harvest. Humus is what the soil needs; put plenty of vegetable matter in the soil that a sufficiency of moisture may be stored for the plant at the time it needs it. He says a two-eared variety of corn generally gives best results. By selecting seed from the field, from plants which have been bred properly, the best results may be obtained. He said the hog is the best paying animal on the farm. He advised tile draining, where necessary, as the best way to drain our land of excessive moisture.

Very interesting addresses were also made by Andrew Bearden and John W. Shelor.

Much interest was shown during the meeting, and quite a number of questions were put to the speakers from Clemson, all of which were readily answered, giving the information desired.

We think that Dr. Knapp has made no mistake in selecting Rev. G. Holland as demonstrator for Oconee. He is one of the best farmers of Oconee, and is always ready to assist the farmers in solving any problem which leads to a better system of farming. He is in a great work, and we find in him a man of accommodation, properly qualified for the great work in which he is engaged.

The place of next meeting has not yet been determined, but will be held some time during the summer.

John W. Reynolds,
Secretary Pro Tem.