“He says it’s the third application that really causes the corn to walk about. One can almost see it growing.”
Rutherford farmers have found that it pays them to produce yields on fewer acres. They are among the best cotton and corn growers in the state, and H.L. Guffey of Union Mills says that growing bigger yields is one of the most satisfactory ways in which a man can meet the present farm labor shortage. Last year, Mr. Guffey produced 116.9 bushels of the 1032 hybrid on an acre. He plans to better that record this fall. In preparing his land for such high production, Mr. Guffey uses 10 loads of stable manure along with 200 pounds of high grade fertilizer per acre at planting. Then, he followed this with 400 pounds of ammonium nitrate in two applications. He says it’s the third application that really causes the corn to walk about. One can almost see it growing. Billy Groves of the Gilkey community produced 104 bushels of corn on his 4-H club acre last year to win a $25 cash prize as champion for the southwestern district.
Dairy News
Rutherford farmers do not give their whole attention to field crops and fruits, however. One of the strongest Dairy Calf Foundations in this state operates here, largely through the support of the Kiwanis club of Rutherfordton and the Rotary club of Spindale. Last year, 27 calves were placed at a cost of $3,394. Of this amount, the boys receiving the animals were able to pay $1,253 and the balance came from Foundation funds. Most of the calves are of the Jersey and Guernsey breeds with some few Ayrshires mixed in.
There is wide interest in dairying all over the county. Better pastures are being established; more feed for both summer and winter is being grown; and more milk and dairy products are being produced for sale. The local dairy calf foundation hopes to raise another $1,000 so as to provide more calves for local boys. There are now 18 grade “A” dairies in the county where only eight existed one year ago. The dairymen have organized an artificial breeding association with the laboratory out on the farm of J.J. Hamlin Jr.; the work is in charge of Frank Logan as technician; B.G. Moore is president of the new association; O.J. Holler is vice-president; and Mr. Hamlin is the secretary and treasurer.
Endless Chain Pig Club Success
The endless chain pig club is moving along in Rutherford County. This chain was started in 1944 when a large mail order house supplied 10 purebred, medium-boned, Poland China gilts to be placed with boys and girls who had no purebred stock. Now there are 45 boys and girls who are members of the pig club. Some of them grow the pigs for meat and some are engaged in developing herds of breeding stock. Julane Clemants of the Green Hill section won a purebred Guernsey heifer calf last fall for having done the best job with his pig. Julane took the pig to the Asheville district show where the animal won fourth place in competition with others entered from throughout the western section of the state. This is the second time that Julane won this first prize in the county, having been awarded another Guernsey calf two years ago for winning the county championship.
Community Freezer Lockers a Great Help
There are freezer lockers now both at Spindale and at Forest City. The plant at Spindale has 400 lockers and it also has a cooling room so that farmers from the adjacent territory can use it for curing their pork when the weather is too warm for home butchering. The folks are using both locker plants as a storage place for fresh vegetables and fruits as well as meats.
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