I BUL%§T1N* The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas _ t ‘ (In co-operation withthe United States Department 0f Agriculture.) November, 1917 EXTENSION SERVICE N0. B-31 (Revised) Boys’ Agricultural Club ‘Vork _ ~ r J. B. Lucius and Fay Handon, of Freesto-ne, Texas, Ready to Walk 22 Miles to Attend a County Encampment near Kirven, Freestone County, Texas, August, 1917. Address CLARENCE OUSLEY, Director and State Agent, College» Station, Texas. ~a_-»--------j-- < l . Mmnh ., a, t. u. . ~_;_ a: ._ _ 4 .. - ~ “.»‘ii»-'iu¢_»,.~,;_ llqgwvrew. ,1.» u» L"; _, _., __ ‘ _ r‘ VZ__ ». W’ < 7 ' ‘ ‘is ' an ~ r 1 State Club Agents H. H. WILLIAMSON, State Boys’ Agricultural Club Agent. C. C. FRENCH, State Pig Club Agent, GEO. w. JOHNSON, Emergency Boys’ Club Agent. W. S. SYMONDS, Assistant Emergency Boys’ Club Agent L. W. HILLAM, Scientific Assistant. ADDRESS, College Station, Texas. KEEP THIS BULLETIN FOR FUTURE REFERENCE Includes Corn, Kafir (Milo kafir and Feterita) Pea- nut, Cotton, Pig, Baby Beef and Lamb Clubs. ' V 1 Boys’ AgricultulrallClubj Work as" Treated in Thié Bullétin % I Boys’ Agricultural Club ‘Vork h The Boys’ Agricultural, iClub Work of Texas is conducted by the Ex~ tension Service of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in Co- operation with the United States Department of Agriculture. The work I embraces thegrowing of field crops and the raising of live stock. Field crops which club members are permitted to grow consist of corn, cotton, kafir (milo, kafir and feterita), and peanuts; the live stock which they are- permitted to raise consists of pigs, calves and lambs. Other farm activi- ~ ties will be added as the work enlarges. The object of the Boys’ Agricultural Club work is outlined in Circulars A-74, (revised), and Farmers’ bulletin 566, of the United States Department of Agriculture. Each county agricultural agent in Texas has direct supervision of all club work conducted in his county. County school superintendents, school teachers and public spirited citizens desiring to organize or to assist in the organization of clubs, or desiring. more information concerning them, should direct their request to the county agricultural agent of their" county. In case the county has no agricultural agent or official repre- sentavive of this Service, the request snould be made to the Director 0i!“ Extension Service of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. College Station, Texas. This Service does not offer prizes to club members. The only prizes that are insured to club members are the products. they produce and the increased knowledge of farming and stock raising received by practical experience and the reading of agricultural literature. Practically all; countyz, district and state fair associations offer prizes as encouragement to club members in their work. Club members are urged to compete in. all contests in which they are eligible. WHO MAY BECOME A MEMBER Any boy in Texas between the ages of ten and eighteen years may be» come a member of the Boys’ Agricultural Club by filling out an enrollment‘ card furnished by his county agent and mailing it to him, or where there is no county agent in the county by mailing it to the ofiioe of the Extension Service, A. and M. College, College Station, Texas. Any boy is eligible- to membership ev-en though he is the only boy in his community or his- county who wants to join. ORGANIZATION. The greatest efiiciency and best results in the Boys’ Club Work in any 4 county 0r community can be obtained only when there is active co- operation between the’ County Agricultural Agent, county school superin- i‘ a.‘ tendent, teachers and citizens. In a county of average population it is impossible for the County Agent to give sufficient personal attention to A each community group of boys to insure the maximum results. In addition to the moral sympathyand cooperation oft the citizens of a community, it is necessary for some active, public spirited person to volunteer and become leader of the boys of the community. As a, rule the principal of the community school is in position to best perform this duty. ' ‘ a COMMUNITY LEADER. The community leader should not bnly be a leader in a formal way, but should have the confidence and respect ofthe boys to the extent that they look upon him as a “big brother.” The local leader should active- ’ ly assist the County Agent in interesting and enrolling the boys of his FIRST BOYS’ AGRICULTURAL CLUB IN TEXAS. Organized by County Agent, T. M. Marks in Jack County in 1908. community in the various activities of the. boys’ club work. As soon as they have enrolled (see rules) the boys should be assembled in a community 5 meeting, constitution and by-laws prepared and adopted, officers elected, etc. Suggested constitution and by-laws will be found on page 11. MEETINGS. Each community club should meet in regular session at least once each month at the school house or the home of some club member. These meetings should be devoted to the transaction of business and to the dis- cussion of local farm problems. The local leader should assist in conduct- ing meetings of this character. As a rule the County Agent will be able to attend and participate in all regular meetings. As soon as a community club is organized and officers are elected, notice should be given the County Agent. In case there is no county agent in the county, notice should be given to the office of the Extension Service of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, College Station, Texas. Scientific farming may be defined as the art of applying the known facts pertaining to agriculture. In order that a boy may become a. scien- tific farmer, as defined, it is necessary for him, in addition to constant practice, to familiarize himself by study with the known facts pertaining to agriculture in its various phases. The facts have been established by the Experiment stations of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Colleges and the experiences of successful farmers. INFORMATION. The farm boy of today has access to a large store of useful agricul- tural information. This information is being disseminated by means of bulletins of Agricultural Colleges and the U. S. Department of Agriculture the agricultural press, by personal instruction and demonstration given by County Agricultural Agents and teachers of agriculture in the public schools. Special effort is made by the Extension Service of the A. and M. College of- , Texas to furnish Club boys with good agricultural literature. ENCAM PM ENTS. Many of the large fair associations in Texas have been cooperating with the Extension Service in conducting Encampment Schools for club boys. These schools are usually of a week's duration. Club boys at- tending receive valuable instruction and information in the various phases of agriculture by specialists of the Extension Service of the Agricultural and Mechanical College and the United States Department of Agriculture. In most counties where there are county agents or public spirited citi-Q zens who foster the boys’ clubs, encampments are held which last two or three days. These are usually held near a good swimming pool where the boys can swim and dive and have a world of fun. Between the hours of in- struction which consists of lectures, demonstrations, etc., the boys run races. play games and have a good time in general. At night they all gather 6 . around the camp fires and tell stories, listen to inspiring talks by prominent men and others. The county encampment has become an important part of boys’ agricultural club work in Texas. Q GENERAL RULES GOVERNING CLUBS. 1. All boys between the ages of ten and eighteen on January Ist o! the year for which they are enrolling are eligible for membership, 2. In order to become a member it is necessary to make application on a prepared form, which will be furnished by county: agricultural agents. 3. Members must agree to grow at least one of the following crops: Corn, cotton, kafir, and peanuts, or raise at least one pig, calf or lamb. a 4. Each member must plant and cultivate his own crops and care for his own live stock. A small boy or girl may hire help to break land. 5. All members should exhibit their live stock and samples 0t their products at county or state fairs upon request o! their agricultural agent. 6. Members must keep an accurate daily record of their work and make a report at the close of the season on a report form furnished by the Department through the county agricultural agent. 7. Corn exhibits should consist of ten ears each; kafir exhibits, ten heads each; cotton exhibits, two pounds of seed cotton and ten open bolls; peanut exhibits, one peck of seed peanuts and ten vines with peanuts on them; live stock exhibits, stock that has been raised. 8. Each exhibit should be accompanied (unless otherwise direct- ed) with a report or a certificate signed by two disinterested parties, attest- ing to the yield per acre, the accuracy in the measurement of the land, and cost of production. In the case of live stock, the report should give cost of production, net profit, and daily gain. g No boy should be permitted to compete for prizes ofiered to club members unless they are members of the Boys’ Club Work. FIELD CROPS. i’ 9. The following basis of awards should be used in awarding all prizes on corn, cotton, kafir, and peanuts: (1) Greatest yield per acre ................................................ ..30 per cent (2) Best showing of net profit 30 per cent (3) Best exhibit of products 2O per cent (4) Best written history of “How I made my Crop” .......... ..20 per cent Total . ' 100 per cent 10. In calculating the cost of production, uniform charges should be made as follows: (a) Rent of land, per acre $5.00 (b) Per hour of work for each member .10 (c) Per hour of work for each horse used i .05 (d) Per 2-horse load of stable manure 2.00 (e) Commercial fertilizers used actual cost. 7 BOYS’ AGRICULTURAL CLUB ENC 11. Items 3 of rule 9 should be judged bye a committee of agricultural experts, and items 1, 2 and 4 by a committee of educational experts or teachers. ' " ‘ 12. In measuring the yield of corn per acre, the following rule should be used Wreigh corn in the shuck when it is dry. Then weigh out 100 pounds separately. Shuck and shell thi-s 100 ‘pounds and weigh the shelled corn. Multiply the weight of all the corn in the shuck by the weight of this shelled‘ corn. Point off the two right hand figures and divide‘ by 56. The result will be the» yield in bushels of shelled corn, 13. In measuring the yiield of kafir, use one. 0f the following rules: (a) In case entire crop is threshed, divide the total weigh-t 0t the ‘threshed grain by 56, which will give the yield in bushels. (b) If crop is harvested/ in heads and not threshed, weigh the grain in the head, then weigh out 100 pounds separately. Thresh the 100 pounds and weigh the threshed grain carefully and multip-ly the weight of all the grain in the head by the weight of ‘this threshed grain. Point off the two right hand figures and divide by 56. The result will be the yield in bushels of threshed grain. 14. In measuring the yield of peanuts per acre, follow the same gen- eral rule as for the other crops, that is: ' Weigh peanuts on the vine when they have been thoroughly, cured. Then weigh out 100 pounds separately. Pick the peanuts from this 100 pounds and weigh the picked peanuts. Multiply the weight of all the nuts and vines by the weight of these picked nuts. Point off the two right- hand figures and divide by 30. (If the large Virginia variety is grown, divide by 22.) The result will be the result in bushels of picked peanuts. 15. In calculating the cost of producing cotton, an additional charge M LSlTATE FAIR OF TEXAS. OCXTOBER, 1917 of $1.00 should be made for ea-ch 100 Pounds oi lint to cover the cost I of ginning, wrapping, etc. If the picking is hired, it should be charged at the rate of 10c per hour. LIVE STOCK. 16. All livestock entered for prizes at county and state fairs should have been owned, fed and cared for by the exhibitor for at least 129,. days prior to being exhibited. -. 17. A daily record should be kept of the. following: ‘P ' (a) Kind, cost, and amount of feed used. (b) Kind of pasture used and number of days used. (c) -Time devoted to caring for stock. _ 18. Animals should be weighed when they come into the, possession of the club member and at least at the beginning and ending of the feed- ing period in order to ascertain the» gain made. The date of farrowing of pigs should be recorded. - 19. Every club member raising sheep should secure four or more ewes of as good breeding and individuality as are available. Bred ewes are preferable and may be obtained at any time after breeding prior to lambing. _ 20. It is suggested that all prize-s for live stock be awarded on the following basis: _ BABY BEEF AND MARKET HOGS. (a) Best animal according to its purpose i _ 30 points (b) Daily gains _ . . 20 points (c) Cost, of gain .. 20 points (d) Story and record.’ ..................... . l 20 points (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (a) (b) (c). (d) (e) (f) SAOW WITH LITTER. Best sow and litter according to purpose 25 points Rate of gain per pig 15 points Cost of gain, including keep of sow from breeding to weaning litter ' I . . R0 points Percentage of pigs raised to number farrowed ..... .... ........10 ‘points Best kept record and story 20 points LAMBS. Pen of lambs . . u 25 points Fleeces, considering weight, quality and appearance from ewes-mothers of lambs as in (a) 10 points Rate of gain on lambs (from 4 ewes) ' 10 points Cost of production, per pound of gain, including keeping of ewes from breeding time until lambs are , weaned . . 25 points Percentage of lambs raised to the number born................10 points Record and written report of work done by members........20 points Total . . ........100 points AT, MESS. Bee County Club Members at Their County Encampment 10 YEARLING EWES. (a) Individuality .. ..-.-.so points S? " (b) Record report ...................... . ...... .. 20 points ‘ (c) Fleece (where possible the previous years fleeoe 1 5 should be shown) . .- A 30 points ’ Total ’ .. A . 100 points SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS FOR BOYS’ ’ AGRICULTURAL CLUB. A , Article 1. Name. The name of this organization shall be the “ A A B078’ Agricultural Club.” (Name of Community) a Article 2. Object. The object of this club shall be to promote the interest of’ its members ONE FORM OF PREPAREDNESS. Ohildress County Club members Attending an Agricultural Club Encamp- ment School Near Childress, Texas, August, 1917. 11 in the study and practice of better farming, emphasizing the value and im- portance of producing more feed crops and the raising of live stock to con- .sume it. i‘ Article 3. All boys between the ages of ten and eighteen years residing in this community who have been placed on the membership list of the Extension Service of the A. and M. College of Texas, shall constitute the active mem- bership of this organization. . “ i Article 4. Organization. The officers shall be a president, a vice-president and secretary. Article 5. Meetings. _ There shall be a regular annual meeting of the club and such special meetings at times and places as may be determined by the president and the local leader. A _ WHAT OUR BOYS DID. lBoys’ Agricultural Club Exhibit at the State Fair of Texas, October, 1917 12 _4-=.-i..-A, <41 a.“ lama M .a:.,l .. . l, \. -. , k W, K in 4.1....) JXd-‘uisdnimalwlsni ‘ Article 6. Elections. The election of the officers shall be at the regular meetings, and such elections shall be held according to the direction of the local leader. Article 7. Amendments. Amendments to the constitution may be made by a majority vote of the members present at any authorized meeting. ' a BY-LAWS. Section 1. Du_ties and Privileges. It shall be the duty of each member to cooperate as far as possible with his fellow members in the study and practice of better farming, em- phasizing the value and importance of producing more feed crops and the raising of live stock, such as baby beeve-s, hogs and lambs, to consume it. Each member shall be entitle-d to one vote in the business meetings of . the club. Meetings shall be devoted to the discussion of timely, agricul- tural topics by the members, the local leader and such visitors as may be - invited to participate. Section 2. Officers. The officers shall be elected to serve for one year and perform such services as are ordinarily required of their positions. They shall serve until the election of their successors. Section 3. President. The president shall preside at all meetings of the club. Section 4. Vice-Presidents. The vice presidents shall perform such duties as are ordinarily re- quired of their positions. l Section 5. Secretary-Treasurer. The secretary-treasurer shall keep a record of all proceedings 0t the club and shall render a report of the same at each authorized meeting. 13 x SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS. ' The various phases’ of boys’ agricultural club work can be made an Au‘- excellent instrument for the teacher to illustrate the examples of the class room and to make the theoretical more practical. In many places this is already being’done and the students of the common and graded schools take no little interest in this kind of work. Some instructors say; that club mem- bers learn more thoroughly the principles laid down in the text-books, be- cause they can daily apply the things they are taught. CORRELATING CLUB WORK WITH THE CLASS ROOM. Arithmetic. It is easy to make arithmeticjit into the regular class work. The boy can measure his acre, compute the square feetin it and thereby gain valuable knowledge of how_to use his information learned at school; or he may weigh his calf, pig or lamb and figure out just what it is worth on the market that day; or he may take his record book and see how much it is costing" him to feed his animal. There are hundred-s of ways in which every club member may put into practice almost every principle in his arithmetic. Agriculture. Of course club work is nothing more than an efiort to teach agriculture to our boys. Hence, every member can study his own soil, the methods ' of preparing his seed-bed, of testing his seed, of tilling his soil, and the habits and life of his own animal. He can learn how to work out a ration for his pig or his calf or his lamb, so as to feed it most economically. For the teacher who wishes a more definite outline of teaching agri- culture in the public school, reference is made to the bulletin, “Practical Agriculture in Texas Schools,” which may be had by addressing, Exten- sion Service, A. and M. College, College Station, Texas. Societies. The club may be used by the teacher as a society at which the presi- dent of the local club may preside. It is not necessary to confine the entire program to the subject of agriculture, but anything ot community interest may be used in the meeting. There is perhaps nothing that strengthens the work of a teacher more than organization. Boys’ Agri- cultural Clubs may be utilized to this end. A great deal of enthusiasm may be aroused by the friendly rivalry o! one school by the other for the best team exhibit of any, of the products of 1N members, such as corn, peanuts, pigs, etc. This contest feature is a stimu- _ lus to more active work in the school and can be carried on at rallies or V in connection with the athletic meets. It is just as important to have a team winning first honors at corn growing, or pig raising, or at stock judging, as it is to have a successful team in basket ball or any other of the athletic sports. 14 AN ORGANIZED QLUB. _>'\ When a. club has been organized, the secretary of the club should im- mediately fill out the blanks below. Then detach this sheet and forward if to Extension ServiceyA. and M. College, College Station, Texas. Name 0t Club I County School or Community Date Organized No.- of Members Name of President Address of President Box R F. D Name 0t Vice-President Address of Vice-President Bu! ‘R F, I) - Name of Secretary / Box R F, 1) 15 BLANK PAGE IN ORIGINAL