Carolina Farm Notes, December 1939

“Carolina Farm Notes” by F.H. Jeter, Extension Editor, N.C. State College, Raleigh, as published in The Southern Planter, December 1939

Five 4-H club girls, efficient in their projects during the past year, have been selected as winners of trips to Chicago to attend the National Club Congress, December 1 through 9. The girls are Jean Grey Walker, 17 years old, of Burlington, Route 2, Alamance County, excellence in club records; Doris Evans, 17, of Lumberton, Route 2, Robeson County, state canning contest winner; Cleo Rumbley, 18, of Burlington, Route 4, Alamance County, best food preparation project; Pansy Dillard, Sylva, Jackson County, state rural electrification winner [no age given]; and Johnnie Faye Barnes, 16, of Black Creek, Wilson County, winner of the 4-H dress revue.

In addition to the records of these five girls, those of Edna Lee Owens of Webster, Jackson County, and of Helen Gainey, Fayetteville, Route 7, Cumberland County, have been submitted for competition in the regional home grounds beautification contest, and if either of these girls wins the contest, she also will be eligible for the Chicago trip.

GOOD SEED IN MAINE

Dr. R.F. Poole, having returned from a trip of inspection to the Irish potato fields of Maine, has reported to growers of the early crop in North Carolina that the quality of the Maine seed supply is the best in years. Growers there are much worried, however, over a new bacterial wilt disease which has appeared in parts of the seed producing territory. The fields in which this trouble has appeared have been eliminated from certification. Dr. Poole is therefore advising growers to buy only “certified” seed and not to accept “selected” seed this coming season. He is cooperating with the extension plant pathologist with a view to holding a series of meetings in coastal Carolina early in the winter to advise growers about their Irish potato crop for next spring.

NEW FARM OWNERS IN ORANGE COUNTY

Among the new farm owners in Orange County one finds names carrying suffixes of M.D., Ph.D., LL.D., Litt.D., and so on through the gamut of impressive insignia denoting much learning or accomplishment. Fortunately for the dirt farmers of the county, however, these learned persons are not farming in the true sense of the word. They are men and women from nearby Duke University and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeking a place of retreat in a restful atmosphere. They have bought a number of old farm homes, some of them abandoned, and have rebuilt and renovated them into lovely rural homes. Don S. Matheson, Orange County agent, likes the idea though the new owners are causing him a lot of extra work.

CHANGE IN FARM POWER

A steady shift from mules and horses to tractors as a source of farm power is being noted in North Carolina, as landowners find the newer models suitable for use under average conditions. David S. Weaver says there are 21,452 tractors now in use in this state, with Rowan County leading with 1,086 in operation. Guilford is a close second, having 1,012, and the other counties, largely in the Piedmont and upper coastal plain sections, follow with from 700 to 200 each. There is a need for belt power as farm owners turn to feed grinding, silo filling and other activities in which the new tractors seem to fit in well.

FOREST NURSERIES IN JOHNSTON AND HENDERSON COUNTIES

Forest nurseries in Johnston and Henderson counties have upwards of four million seedling forest trees available to North Carolina farmers for planting stock this winter and early spring. Already the movement of seedlings from the plant bed to eroded hillsides is under way. The planting of hardwoods began November 1 in the mountains and after November 15 in the Piedmont and coastal plain. Next January and February, pines will be planted in large quantities in the coastal sections, followed later by similar plantings toward the mountains.

R.W. Graeber, extension forester, says that those who wish to secure trees from the state nurseries should contact their county agents or order them through his office. At the same time, the growers should secure definite instructions about how to set the trees for best results. The seedlings are sold at nominal prices so as to cover the expense of producing them.

NEW BEEF HERDS IN HARNETT COUNTY

There was not a herd of purebred beef cattle in Harnett County prior to last August, asserts J.B. Gourlay, assistant farm agent. Today, however, eight herds of purebred foundation stock have been started, largely from Herefords purchased in Western Carolina.

J.C. Byrd of Dunnlevel bought eight animals, including a bull. Mr. Byrd says the cattle are growing rapidly on the good pastures of his farm, and he only wishes he had started his herd 10 years ago. J.E. Womble of Lillington purchased nine head; and other recent buyers are Leander Lee of Lillington, Route 2; Lee Cameron of Jonesboro, Route 3; and P.A. Washburn of Jonesboro, Route 3. Mr. Gourlay also secured the cooperation of the county commissioners to place a herd on the county home farm.

DAIRY RESEARCH STATION

The new dairy research station provided for in funds appropriated by the last General Assembly will be located in Iredell County four miles from Statesville on the Amity Road, Dean I.O. Schaub has announced. The Experiment Station purchased the Clarence Stimpson farm consisting of 130 acres and well situated for dairy research. An experimental herd of dairy cattle will be established on the farm immediately, and pasture studies will begin as soon as possible. Work on the new farm will be under the direction of Dr. C.D. Grinnells, in charge of dairy research.

SUGAR SPUDS YIELD WELL IN MARTIN COUNTY

Martin County, center of the sweet potato industry in eastern North Carolina, is experiencing heavy acre yields this season, according to reports from leading farmers. Four hundred bushels to the acre on first class roots is not unusual. W.M. Hardison said he dug 432 bushels an acre of U.S. No. 1 potatoes from his first settings and most growers report yields running from 250 to 400 bushels an acre. The Martin growers purchased their potato baskets cooperatively this fall and saved considerable money. They have the roots in storage where they will be cured for sale in late winter and early spring.

MECKLENBURG YOUTH WIN

Eugene Berryhill and John McDowell, two young 4-H club members from Mecklenburg County, have been deluged with congratulations since they returned from the West Coast where they won first place for the Southern Region with their demonstration at the National Dairy Show.

Eugene stammers a little under excitement and the demonstration was given in windy, foggy weather. The cow they were able to get wouldn’t stand still and many other difficulties presented themselves; but the two boys went calmly through their demonstration winning $250 scholarships for both. In addition to medals, Eugene stammered not a bit until he was presented on Bing Crosby’s national radio program the next night in Hollywood.

Club Leader L.R. Harrill and Mecklenburg County Agent Oscar Phillips, who accompanied the team, both expressed pride in the work of the two club members.

CALDWELL COUNTY DISPLAY

A comprehensive educational exhibit, neatly arranged and showing the balance between agriculture and industry in Caldwell County, won first prize and $650 in cash in the County Progress Department of the North Carolina State Fair, October 10 to 14. Dare County won second place and $500; while Nash placed third, winning $300.

JUDGING CONTEST WINNERS

More than 200 boys and girls, members of the 4-H clubs of North Carolina, entered the poultry, livestock and crops judging contests stages as a feature of the North Carolina State Fair this fall. 

A team from Jones County coached by F.F. Kelley, assistant farm agent, won the livestock contest, but Hugh Randall of Cleveland County was the highest scoring individual. 

The Polk County team, coached by Assistant Agent Sam Dobson, won the seed judging event with Elliotte Arthurs of Iredell County as high scoring individual. 

The poultry judging contest was won by a team from Wayne County coached by R.B. Harper, assistant agent, and the high scoring individual was Billy Fountain of Onslow County.