Newspaper page: 'Water Key To Progress In South' and 'Soil Testing Program Is Paying Off' (The News and Courier, March 26, 1961)

A full newspaper page from The News and Courier, Charleston, S.C., Sunday Morning, March 26, 1961, page 5-C.

Top headline (across page)

Water Key To Progress In South, Group Is Told

COLUMBIA (Special) — “Water is the key to progress in South Carolina — whether it is industrial or agricultural,” the South Carolina Agricultural Public Relations Council was told at its recent meeting in Columbia.

This was brought out in a panel discussion of the topic, “The Importance of Water to South Carolina.”

The panel was led by E. H. [Kerr?], past-president of the State Farm Bureau. Also appearing on the panel were L. D. Holmes, a farmer of Johnston, and Dr. T. S. Buie, [conservationist], Soil Conservation Service, Columbia.

Mr. Agnew, in introducing the panel, said, “We see by the papers almost every day that some city is expanding its water facilities. A similar story could be told about the increased use of water by industry and agriculture.”

Some highlights of the statement by Mr. Holmes were:

1. Industry’s water supply depends upon how farmers handle the water that falls on their farms. Water conservation must start on the watersheds where raindrops fall.
2. Water is one thing of which we have just begun to realize the importance. It is time for us to conserve and make wise use of water.
3. At the time a farmer needs water most, streams are at their lowest stage, but water can be stored in farm ponds for use when streams are low.
4. Water determines the value of land.
5. Agriculture, as well as industry and cities, is requiring more and more water. For example, 75 per cent of the peach orchards in Edgefield County is irrigated.
6. We, in South Carolina, are in a fortunate situation with an adequate potential supply of water; but we need to “nail” this water down where it falls through conservation practices. Let’s keep this water from running off, store it properly, and use it. We will have more water. Industry will have more water. Everybody will be better off.

“We have such a prodigious supply of water that it is hard to realize we can have a shortage in South Carolina,” Dr. Buie told the group. “Yet we do have shortages. With our present population, what can we expect with an increasing population?” For example, “In 1960, there was pumped by the Columbia and Eau Claire plants an average of 13,700,000 gallons daily. This represented an increase of about 30 per cent in daily consumption since 1950. And it is anticipated that by 1970 the daily consumption of water in Columbia will have increased another 32 per cent.”

He also stressed that use of water for agriculture, industry and recreational purposes has greatly increased in South Carolina in recent years.

Dr. Buie emphasized that industry depends on water today just as industry in past years depended on water to turn the wheels.

“Everybody uses water, but farmers are custodians of most of our watersheds. How they use and treat these watersheds determine to a large extent the quantity and quality of water available to city dwellers,” Dr. Buie concluded.

In summary, Mr. Agnew said, “By 1980, every drop of suitable water in the United States will be needed. We need a complete, authentic, reputable supply of the water resources of South Carolina. Water conservation and use is a problem of every person in South Carolina so every person should know about water, quantity and quality available and its conservation and wise use. An informed public would become aroused and take necessary steps to insure an abundance of high quality water to meet the needs of 1980 as well as of today. It is a little late to start after the supply is exhausted, wasted or polluted beyond use.”

Photograph caption (centre-left)

A black-and-white photograph of five men in a field, with two kneeling and demonstrating a soil-sampling tool and three standing observing. Caption beneath:

4-H CLUB MEMBERS JIMMY MULLINAX AND WADE KING TAKE SAMPLES County Agent H. D. Marett, Cattleman J. M. Wingo, Teacher Fred Morgan Look On

Lower-left headline

In Anderson County Area

Soil Testing Program Is Paying Off

CLEMSON (Special) — "Since I have been following a regular program of soil testing, I have had the assurance that every dollar spent on fertilizer was used where it would do the most good.

“My cattle have benefitted, my farm has been improved, and my money has not been wasted.”

With these words, a Pendleton beef cattle farmer summarized what Anderson County’s soil testing program has meant to him.

J. M. Wingo, owner of more than 50 sleek, black Angus cattle and principal of the Centerville Elementary School, is a most enthusiastic supporter of Anderson County’s soil fertility program, which currently is “No. 1” in the state.

“I have found I can produce a better grade of beef when my pastures are fertilized correctly,” said Mr. Wingo. “Furthermore, once my soil had been tested, and the deficiencies corrected, I found that much less effort was required to keep it in good shape.”

According to H. D. Marett, Anderson County agent, Wingo is only one of many farmers who, through their cooperative spirit, have helped to boost Anderson County to the top of the list in the number of soil samples tested. Through March 4, the county agent’s office had received some 2,000 soil samples since the program was begun last summer.

At a “kick-off” meeting last June, Mr. Marett and other agricultural leaders outlined an intensified soil fertility program for the county, to be organized under the leadership of farm people. The goal was to have “every cultivated field and pasture tested before May 31, 19[61].”

According to Marett, the response has been gratifying. [Local] chapters, 4-H clubs, young farmer groups, volunteer leaders in each community and many others — all joined hands to promote the campaign. The local newspapers gave their full support by carrying feature stories of successful farmers enrolled in the program.

Says Mr. Marett, “I want to emphasize the fact that the 2,000 soil samples have been turned in on a purely voluntary basis. Anderson County is on top only because our people have worked hard to make the program successful.”

The county agent cited figures showing that farmers in the county could reap an additional $8,750,000 in income, if recommended rates of fertilizer were followed.

The report, compiled jointly by the county agent’s office and the agronomy department at Clemson College, revealed that the cotton crop alone could conceivably provide another million dollars in income, with proper fertilization. Small grains — oats, wheat, barley — could be gained through proper fertilization of pastures.

Said Marett, "Although the use of fertilizer will not insure top yields unless other good farming practices are followed, we cannot expect high yields without proper fertilization. This extra income is a definite goal toward which we must work.

“Anderson County has splendid agricultural opportunities, and every effort must be made to fully utilize our potentials.”

Center column — Tips On Barnyard Births

Tips On Barnyard Births

CLEMSON (Special) — There is no “population explosion” so far as births among the livestock population on South Carolina farms are concerned.

“In fact,” says A. L. DuRant, leader, Clemson extension animal husbandry work, “farmers can increase profits considerably by greater care in saving the lives of newborn animals. Too many of these ‘barnyard babies’ are now dying because of poor care, poor nutrition and disease.”

Here are suggestions offered, to help save more young animals at time of birth.

Make sure dams have good rations during pregnancy.

Provide shelters for swine at farrowing time.

If mothers have difficulty in giving birth, get help for them promptly. Veterinarians now have new medicines and methods to help with such births. Sometimes even a caesarean operations may be required.

Watch for danger signals of milk fever and ketosis, which develop about the time of birth.

Right column — FFA Loan Fund Is Established

FFA Loan Fund Is Established

COLUMBIA (Special) — A collegiate loan fund for South Carolina Future Farmers of America who wish to study agriculture has been established by the South Carolina Vocational Agriculture Teachers Assn.

This loan fund, approved by the SCVATA at its last summer meeting, was placed in operation at a recent meeting of the loan fund committee in Columbia.

“This collegiate loan fund program was established to loan money to college juniors and seniors enrolled in certain phases of agriculture in order to aid them in completing their four-year college course,” according to D. R. Chastain, agriculture teacher at Palmetto High School, Williamston, and committee chairman.

Other FFA members eligible during an initial five-year period of loan fund growth to borrow $300 each year for his junior and senior years at the rate of 3 per cent interest. He will have four years to repay the loan after graduation.

At the end of the initial five-year growth period, the amount to be loaned to each applicant will be increased to $500 each year.

The loan fund, a self-supporting and non-profit organization, will be financed through contributions or loans from members of the South Carolina Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, FFA Chapters and members, and friends of the SCFFA.

Floyd Johnson of York, president of the National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, said to his knowledge this was the only collegiate loan fund of this type in vocational agriculture teachers associations in the nation.

Far right column — Sumter Gets New Forester

Sumter Gets New Forester

COLUMBIA (Special) — Rodger L. Hagwood Jr., has been transferred from Newberry to Sumter by the State Commission of Forestry. He will replace Edgar L. Dallery, who resigned as project forester at Sumter.

Mr. Hagwood was born in North Carolina, but lived at Kingstree for twenty years. A graduate of the School of Forestry at N.C. State College, he has been employed by the Forestry Commission at Newberry for the past year and a half.

According to State Forester Chas. H. Flory, Mr. Hagwood will help Sumter County landowners manage and harvest their timber for maximum production and profit. Landowners can obtain forestry services by contacting Mr. Hagwood at 111 North Harvin St. in Sumter.

Forestry services offered by the State Commission of Forestry include woodland examinations and recommendations.

Other smaller subheads at the foot

Fertilizing Investment — [narrow column]

The Farmer From… — [short feature with portrait cut]

10 Forestry Leaders — [continues into next page; short column]