Boys Are Thinking, Working, and Earning, 1940

From “Carolina Farm Notes” by F.H. Jeter, Nov. 1940 issue of the Southern Planter

John Mills, a 4-H Club member of Peachland, Route 1, Anson County, needed oats to feed his baby beef but money was lacking and there were no oats left on the farm.

He noticed, however, that a nearby sawmill operator fed his mules oats and that he needed someone to look after the mules on week-ends. So John made a bargain.

He agreed to feed and water the mules each week-end if the sawmill operator would supply enough oats for the calf. When the sawmill finished its operations on that particular spot, the owner was so impressed with the good job John had done that he gave the boy enough oats to finish the calf into a first-class, finished condition.

NINE DOLLARS EXTRA

There are 220 farm boys who are making an average of about $9 a month which they are using to pay for good cows that each one owns. These boys are members of the new Dairy Production Club organized in the State since the establishment of milk receiving stations.

John A. Arey, dairy specialist, says 135 members are in the club centered about the Carnation plant at Statesville. The others are centered about the Kraft plant at West Jefferson and the Pet plant at Waynesville. These receiving stations aided the boys to secure financial aid to buy good cows, and the boys are using one of the two checks received each month to retire the loans. The milk plants have loaned cans and strainers and keep the books. The boys look after the calves.