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¥ . ' V .r-mminVr- . *■ —yt i r- / Pajre Two THE CLINTON CHRONICLE Thursday, January 24, 1952 i -I REPORT TO THE PEOPLE BY THE LAURENS COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT Period January 1 — December 31, 1951 the eleventh annual report ments of a Board of Supervisors who have planned our work in the Dis trict and who have executed those plans with reasonable “ success, by profiting by experience of that firs: Board which paved the way for our This is made by Supervisors of Laurens County Soil Conservation District. jC,'.A- comparison of later reports with the first one made in 1940 shows a deftnite change .in form and accom- plishments. In 1940, our report was efforts, o series of timid and uncertain an^jr By Decembei: 16, 1939, Laurens Agriculture Teachers in the District, through their work with FFA boys, Young Farmers of America, and , adult farmers, and the Farmers’ Home Administration, as well as ether agricultural agencies, organ izations, and individuals have* been cf assistance to farmers in getting their plans iijfo practice. . The Land and The Book: <■— law. The Supervisors named to man-1 On August 2, Clair P. Guess, „Jr., A filrn strip entitled, “The Land age affairs of the District were: D. F.; Executive Secretary of the State an d The Book”, was showm by Rog- Patterson, Chairman, Laurens; Jack ^ Soil Conservation ^Committee, spoke tr Blakeley, Teacher of Agriculture, H. Davis,'Vice-Chairman, Clinton; to “Greater Service Program” com-Surens, and'Rey.'-W. C. Alexander, R. B. Roper, Secretary, Laurens; J. I mittee members at a dinner meeting ^ ra > to ^ ve audiences with a total G. Roy, Laurens; and'H. O. Aber-'in Laurens. His speech was entitled, °/ 517 people. This included the en- crombie, RFD, Ware Shoals. I “A Changing World—A Free Peo- 'ff re student body of Laurens High The present board of Supervisors' Fie.” !Scho01 a !? d Hickory Tavern High Proposals For Progress Adopted: School. 'j '' *> SN v community gatherings and other in terested groups. The Soil Conserva tion Service maintains a film li- 1 brary in Spartanburg with an abun dance of good film with sound and colo/ which are free for the asking. These film tell the story of soil and water conservation in a very inter esting and impressive way. W. E. Jones, SCS Soils Scientiest, talked to YFA and FFA groups at Laurens High School in May ojn the subject, “Land Use Capabilities.” A film entitled, “This Is Our Land”, was shown to fifth grade of Laurens Grammar School during May, by W. H. Fleming, of SCS. Interest of Groups in -Conservation: City groups, as well as farm are interested in conserva- the District. Soil Conserva- slers to questions somebody else County Soil Consetvation District iy Ryan Lawson Chairman, Clinton; j Proposals For Frorress Adopted: | , tnouaht uo for us We hope that this had been organized under the South'James Wasson, RFD, Laurens; War- The farmers who make up oyr Longrtwation Goes To School. ^ D’ report showsa record of°a«:omplish-„ Carohr^ Soil Conservation District ren Tinsley, RFD, Laurens, Sam Board of Supervisors adopted six The ^urens Co«ntyScul Conner- groups Fleming, Ora, and W. P. Dickson, proposals-designed to speed up effec- %c *“ on District has purchased a 16 *f on 1 .. RFD, Clinton. | tive soil conservation werfe .and,. mo y. ie projector so that more Since the people of Laurens Coun- thereby, help to strengthen thf^coun- c0 se rvation films can be shown to ^ 3 , ty voted to organize the county into try’s defenses against Communist S( nools, youth groups, civil?" groups, (Continued on page 3) a Soil Conservation District, we feel'and other aggression. ff' | that this report is rightfully made to! These proposals had been studied, the people. j carefully by the Executive Commit- Farmers cooperating with Laurens tee of the National Association of! County Soil Conservation District Soil Conservation Districts. That' hold.the future of our agriculture in committee recommended’adoption of their hands. As stewards of the land,! the proposals by all of the more, they have volunteered to use their than 2,300 soil conservation districts ( land rightly and to treat it kindly for in the nation. The proposals as the sake of present and future gen- adopted by this board follow: j ' erations. Therefore, since it is the 1 1. That ACP participants be en-i people, themselves, who are con- ’ eouraged to become Soil Conserva-, cerned with the conservation of our' tion District Cooperators and that, soil, this report is made to them by \ District Cooperators be acquainted the Supervisors they have chosen to i with the facilities available through manage affairs of Laurens County ACP. Soil Conservation District with a re quest for their cooperation in any St way that will spread more soil con servation on the? ground and more knowledge oj the need for soil con- servatTonui the hearts and minds of our neighbors and friends.' Program for Greater Service: Supervisors of Laurens County Soil Conservation District launched a “Program for Greater Service” during the year. This program has a two-fold design: it gives a definite assignment to each district supervis- A BEAUTIFUL AND USEFUL FARM POND. Shay Hinton . of Laurens saves water as well as soil and provides a source of food ahd recreation by doing it. This farm pond is free of weeds and is properly fertilized and managed for fish production. Standing on the far bank Is J. B. O’Dell, SCS technician, who made the necessary^yrve'ys and plans for this pond. ^ 2. Establish a District policy to, recognize all farmers as District Co- operators, who agree to use their land within its capabilities and treat it in accordance with its needs and to develop and carry out a basic con servation plan for their land. 3. The District Governing Body adopted the Initial Conservation Agreement, the Advanced Conserva tion Agreement, and the Basic Con servation Agreement, and the Basic Conservation Plan as the three . stages of work with District Coop- or and brings, through advisory erators. A Basic Conservation Plan committees, nearly every organiza tion and all walks of life to the as sistance of the local board of super visors. —- Supervisor members of the board have accepted chairmanships of ad visory committees as follows: Pro gram—Sam Fleming, Ora; Finance— J.- W. Tinsley, Laurens; Education— W. P. Dickson, Clinton; Legislative— J^mes Wasson, Laurens; Publicity— Ryan Lawson, Clinton. Members named for the advisory Program Committee are: Mrs. T. B. Sumerel, 4-H Council advisory; C. B. Cannon, County Agents; Rev. W. C. Alexander, Ora; H. A. Ropp, PMA; LeRoy Burns, Superintendent of Education; D. F. Patterson, bank er; Roger Blakely, teacher of agri ■ t*'**4&. FARMING THAT FITS THE LAND. Left, lespedeza. Mid dle, small grain, freshly planted,' drilled on contour. Right, alfalfa. Contour cultivation saves soil and power since the plowing is done across the slope instead of up-and^iown- the-hill. Photo by Soil Conservation Service culture; Henry Mitchell FHA; H. E. ed. Martin, forest ranger; Milton Nash, County Health Department; J. B. O’Dell and W. H. Fleming, Soil Con servation Service technicians; Gar vin O’Dell, County Game Warden, and Henry Faris, REA. Also named to this committee were C. W. Wal drop, Herschel Wilson, Stewort O. Brown, Clyde T. Franks, L. P. Burns, and Furman Thomason. For this program, the group met on October for a farm has been the foundation of the agreement between the. Dis trict and the Cooperator in the past. The new proposals adopted open the way for the farmers to become Co- operators and get District aid, with out a Basic Conservation Plan at the beginning. However, all their con servation work should ' progress steadily toward the adoption of a Basic Conservation Plan, the goal for eech farm. This opens the way for! many more farmers to become Dis-j trict Cooperators much sooner, and start real soil conservation work much soonei% 4. The supervisors agreed to adopt a system of priorities in providing technical assistance to present and prospective cooperators when need- REGISTERED HEREFORDS graze on lush pastures made possible by draining marshland on farm of Ryan F. Law- son. Mr. Lawson is chairman of the board of of the Laurens County Soil Conservation District. 5. That the District extend assist ance, through neighbor groups working together, instead of to indi viduals, wherever practical. 6. That other agencies,' organiza tions, and individuals, in addition to Soil Conservation Service, be asked to assist in furthering conservation work in the District in all practical, appropriate ways. Pasture Land in Laurens on Increase and adopted objectives as follows: j There is a decided trend from^ter- 1. Select, as appropriate, in each racing and row crops to more per- of as many different communities as manent pastures, hay and grazing possible, a farm with a fully estab- crops in Laurens County Soil Con- REGISTERED DUROC BROOD SOWS grazing barley, oats, rye grass and crimson clover on farm of John Earle Smith, Kinards.. Grazing crops for hogs not only makes faster and cheaper gains, but also save soil by protection from erosion. lished soil and water conservation program or ow bit which the pre servation District. This trend indi cates thaV more and more gram will be fully established soon, j are carrying out the district objec- Use these^arms as “show windows” tive, as well as that of the U. S. De- of the whole' farm soil and water partment of Agriculture to use each conservation program of the District acre according to its capacity to pro- 2. Continue to select neighbor j duce and to treat each acre accord | groyps of farmers in the District who | ing to its needs, j have carried out complete farm soil j Soil Conservation Service person- and water conservation programs and then use the conservation pro- 1 nel, assigned to assist supervisors in carrying out this objective, point out the fact that 90,000 acres in this Dis trict are considered to be best adapt ed to pastures, hay crops, or trees. During the past year, a total of 1, _ 949 acres has beeri-put to permanent A TALK WITH THE TECHNICIAN. Alfalfa seeded in 1947. Left to right—J. B. O’Dell, SCS techinician, T. P. Brown and D. E. Brown of Laurens. This farm is located in the Bailey Community. The conservation .farming done by these farmers helped this community win first place for the best community in soil conservation work in the Lau rens County Soil Conservation District in a cohtest which closed in 1951. Photo by Soil Conservation Service grams of neighbor groups for tours, studies, and demonstrations. 3. Plan and manage annually the observance of Soil Conservation Dis trict Week. This is to be done In co operation with the State Association 1 pasture. This brings the total to date Program Committee. for the district to 7,318 acres. - 4. Arrange each fall or winter a' Very close allies of permanent District Cooperator-Businessmen pastures are sericea lespedeza and supper to develop friendlier relations 1 kudzu which are being used to 5 and understanding between fanners greatgf extent each year for supple- and businessmen of the District. I mental grazing. These perennial 5: Assist local newspapers, banks, ] crops serve to furnish grazing during radio stations, and other organize- periods of extreme dry weather such t:ons and associations in the District! as was experienced during May. A i in designing^and supporting worthy |tctal Of 1,288 acres, of sericea was ^ Conservation District contests, i sqededthis_year, bringing the total I competitions, and events. | achmhThedistrict to 7,259. 6. Encourage such contests as land However, accomplishments in pas- I judging, seed identification, identifl-! ture and hay crops represent only | cation of soil conserving crops, iden-^ one phase of a complete conservation i tification of noxious weeds, etc., for ' FF. Chapters and 4-H Clubs. 7. In cooperation with the Advis ory Publicity Committee for the Dis trict, arrange for the widest possible distribution of rules, dates, places, and other details in connection with District contests, competitions, tours, and events. ^ ".tL. BICOLOR AND SERICEA IN THE JSHADE. Bicolor lespe deza next to woods and sericea between bicolor strip and •crop land to prevent erosion, make use of land normally sapped and shaded by the trees, and to provide cover and feedfor quail. This wildlife border is on the farm of E. H. Morrison, Rt. 3, Laurens, S. C. .Photo by Soil Conservation Service 8. Prepare a budget anhdaily cov- program which has been planned on 1,295 farms in the district, involv ing 206,023 acres. Each of these plans is based on an' inventory of the land on the farm known as a soil conservation -sur- vey. With this, map, which shows the capacity of each acre to produce &rops; the SCS technician visits the farm and assists-the farmer in out- ering funds needed in carrying out lining the best land use and treat- District activities and submit to the ment for each acre. Advisory Finance Committee for in- In addition to the complete soil elusion in the District budget. conservation plans referred to above, 9. Work closely with water users Initial Conservation agreements such as municipalities, bleacheries, were prepared for 34 farms and Ad cotton mills, power companies, etc., and inform them of the close rela tionship of water management and proper land use. Encourage wise use of water. Discourage stream pollu tion. The Board of Supervisors plan to name ''members for education, fi nance, publicity, and legislative committees and develop their pro gram of activities during 1052. Concerning y this “Program for Greater Service”, Mr. Lawson, Chairman of the Board of Supervis ors says, “As never before, Ameri cans are becoming more and more mindful of the importance of Con serving soil and water.. This is an inspiration to Districts, since they helped to bring about this interest in soil conservation but it is also a challenge to usto do even more.” vanced Conservation agreements were prepared for 3 farms. Soil Conservation Service renders on-site assistance in getting the plan into operation on the land. This as sistance includes staking out meadow outlets, terraces, and farm ponds and _ recommendations on crop" rotations,, pastures, and other soil conserva tfon practices planned for the farm. In addition to full-time assistance to the district by SCS technicians, the Production and Marketing Ad ministration, through its conserva tion payments, the County Agent, through educational facilities of the South Carolina Extension Service, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the South Carolina Commission of Forestry, the South Carolina Game and Fish Department, Vocational STUDY IT OUT. W. P. Dickson left, a supervisor of the Laurens County SCD and J. B. O’Dell, SGS"Technician, dis cuss fescue’s ability to add organic matter to the soil. This KY-31 fescue seed patch was planted in 1947 with sfeed ob tained from the SCS nursery. Mr. Dickson says, “So far as I knpw, 1947 was the first .year any fescue was planted in the Laurens County Soil Conservation District.” Mr. Lawson, Chairman of the Board, says, “Everything else ever planted in the area where this fescue is growing drowned out” Photo by Soil Conservation Service THIS PAGE CONTRIBUTED BY BANK OF CLINTON AND M. S. BAILEY & SON, BANKERS, AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF LAURENS COUNTY. WE LOVE THIS TENDER GRASS, Lush pasture in 1951, red hills with most of the topsoil gone in 1950. Cows, grass and nutrients have been used to renew the productive strength of the land for conserving the remaining tonsoil on this farm owned by Pringle Copeland of the Hopewell Community. Phot ' by Soil Conservation Service