Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 98, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1918 — MANY BOYS AND GIRLS IN CLUB WORK [ARTICLE]

MANY BOYS AND GIRLS IN CLUB WORK

Lafayette, Ind., May 3.—At least 12,000 boys and girls on Indiana farms will be enrolled in corn, pi*, potato, calf, tomato, poultry, canning, sewing and bread clubs tikis summer, according to reports from Co., 7 Btn., 159 Depot Bri., Camp Smith, state club leader. This is an increase of 5,000 over last year, and does not include the thousands of boys and girls who will be signed up in garden clubs in cities throughout the state. Fifteen thousand were in these clubs last year and upwards of twice this number will be engaged in the work this season. A resume of the 1917 club work just off the press of the Purdue university extension department shows that last year of the 22,612 boys and girls engaged in some sort of club work, aiding Uncle Sam to increase food production, 15;308 finished their tasks. The total value of all their products was $321,664, but the expenses were $127,617, leaving a profit of $194,047. Conservative figures were given each line of work, such -as potatoes selling at 45 cents a bushel and every grower who sold his “spuds” got more than this amount. Arrangements have been made for closer supervision of the cluib members this year, the number of vocational teachers having been increased from 22 to 45; township club supervisors from 45 to 63; county agents from 41 to 64, and home demonstration agents from none to 22. These persons, particularly the supervisors and vocational teachers, will devote all their time during the summer to overseeing the work of the boys and girls so that they really will produce the most food possible and get the best results from their efforts and money expended. Figures for last year show that in practically every case, 98 per cent to be exact, best results were obtained where paid supervisors were on the job so as to give closest attention to the work of the club members. * Montgomery county has the most complete organization, a county leader and eleven township supervisors to direct the club work. The enrollment is well above 1,000 now.