Carolina Farm Notes, April 1941

From Carolina Farm Notes by F.H. Jeter, in The Southern Planter, April 1941 issue

When L.R. Harrill, 4-H Club leader, began to search the records of leading 4-H club members to find the best one for 1940, he couldn’t get away from the fact that two records stood out above the others. It was almost impossible to decide between them; but since the prize for being the outstanding club member is a four-year scholarship to State College, some selection had to be made. So Mr. Harrill went back again to the records before him. He analyzed them, compared them and called in others to investigate the matter. Finally, like Solomon, he divided the prize and decided that each of the two boys should have a two-year scholarship. The two boys receiving this honor are John B. and Fred Wagoner of Guilford College, identical twins, who have done the same club work and accomplished about the same results since they joined their local club back in 1933.

The scholarship award was made by A.G. Floyd, state manager of the Chilean Nitrate of Soda Educational Bureau and a graduate of State College.

Robeson County Club

Robeson County, largest in area and one of the most important agricultural counties in the state, took another progressive step on February 25 when 250 representative citizens met at St. Pauls and formed the Robeson County Club.

This organization is non-political, non-sectarian, and will include in its membership both men and women who will work for the general advancement of agriculture, industry and business throughout the county. More than 100 persons joined the club at the initial meeting, and plans were laid to have other meetings once each three months when vital problems affecting the county will be discussed and acted upon.

The club is largely the result of active planning and effort by J.A. Sharpe, editor of the Lumberton Robesonian. He received the staunch support of county farm agent D.W. Reynolds and other leaders. Paul Thompson of Fairmont was elected president of the new organization and future meetings will be held in different parts of the county.

48 HD Curb Markets Now Open

There are 48 home demonstration curb markets now operated in North Carolina, largely under the direction of home demonstration club women, and 2,045 rural women sold $401,108.19 worth of surplus produce on these markets in 1940. New markets were opened in Harnett, Duplin, Randolph and Sampson counties during the year. In addition to sales on these curb markets, rural women also sold $298,787.80 worth of produce by shipping to large hotels, institutions and individual buyers. A good example of this is the cooperative shipments of dressed turkeys from Anson County under the direction of Mrs. Rosalind Redfearn, home agent. Mrs. Cornelia C. Morris, extension home economist, also reports the sale of about $26,000 worth of handicraft articles made by women in 72 counties.

Improved Cows

When the Forest Hills Farms of Clemmons joined the local cow testing or herd improvement association back in 1935, the 18 cows then in the herd produced an average of 5,870 pounds of milk and 307.8 pounds of fat. After six years in the association, 20 cows in the herd are producing an average of 7,561 pounds of milk and 403.1 pounds of fat per cow per year.

The original record was good, said R.H. Ruffner in commenting on the progress made on this farm, because the feed cost then was only $1.16 per 100 pounds of milk; but the record last year shows a decided improvement. Last year, it cost only $1.03 to produce 100 pounds of milk. Good breeding and testing always pay.

Spring Egg Festival

C.F. Parrish, poultry specialist announces the second annual Spring Egg Festival to be observed during the weeks of March 6 and May 1. During those two weeks, consumption of eggs will be promoted by large national food organization and by poultry food  growers of North Carolina. A committee of poultrymen has been appointed to handle the campaign and it consists of L.R.H. Singleton, Cary; Thomas O. Minton, Champion; J.C. Livingston, Wilkesboro; James Honeycutt, Landis; D.R. Moore, Granite Falls; Mrs. S.C. Vann, Murfreesboro; Mrs. A.N. Wilson, Rocky Mount; and the Beckwith Hatchery, Acme.

Paid Its Way

E.E. King of the Burnesville community in Yancey County bought a farm, improved it and paid for it with the produce grown on the farm. He says it was an easy job when one has a variety of income sources. Last year, for instance, Mr. King sold $279.57 worth of tobacco, $40 worth of green beans, $40 worth of cattle, $58 worth of lambs, $32.40 worth of wool, $8.62 worth of fresh pork, $27 worth of pigs, $42.75 worth of butter and cream, $36 worth of fryers and $41.68 worth of eggs.

There are only 85 acres of cropland and pasture in the 187-acre farm. Corn yields have been increased from 20 bushels to 40 bushels per acre, and two acres of pasture will carry an animal unit where it took four acres to do so five years ago. Hay production has doubled; trees have been planted; and nine acres have been removed from cultivation and seeded to permanent pasture.