The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1875-11-05
FACTS AND FIGURES.

FACTS AND FIGURES.
la reading State Commissioner,
Thos. P. James agricultural report
for October, we find startling facts,
that in a great measure explain
why our present mode of producing
and buying, keeps the farmer in
debt year after year-the Intelll>
gent Cobb county farmers opinion
to the contrary, Notwithstanding
For instance, the average cost OF
producing bushel of cora in Geor~
gia, under the present adverse cir
cumstances, is reported at .GJty eight
cents, or little more than one cent
per pound, while the average caSh
price, at which it has sold in Geor-
gia for several years, has been about
tOO cents per pound, and the credit
price from t,Co and a half to three
cents per pound.
Is it not remarkab that farmers
prefer paying twice or three times
as much for Western corn as that
raised on their own farms costs
them, in order that they may enjoy
the pleasure of raising cotton to sell
at less than cost of production. The
above facts are a severe commentary
on the financial conduct of corn buy
ers il Georgia.
And to show those farmers who
have been buying their supplies in
Marietta or elsewhere in advance of
productions on their own farm, how
ruinous it is to have to work each
succeeding year to pay off debts
made the year before, we will quote
further. Oats are produced in Geor
gia at an average cost Of t,renty-ntne
cents per bushel, or less than one
cent per pound, which is less tia"
one THIRD the average price at which
they have sold in Georgia for some
years.
VIII farmers continue to buy corn
and oats at three times the cost of
raising them on their own farmsY
The average cost of pound of
cotton to the producer is reported at
elecen cents, which varies very little
from the average selling price, on
the farm, of the present crop.
This corresponds with the fact
that nincty-Sir per cen5. of the cor
respondents report that cotton can
not be raised at a profit on bought
supplies, while eighty-four per cent.
say that cotton can be raised at a
profit at present prices on supplies
made at home.
This is readily understood, in
view of the facts that bought corn
and oats cost from two to three times
as much as homemade; that, as res
ported by correspondents, only A.
per cent. of home supply of pork is
raised in the State, and that while it
costs an average Of $50 per head to
raise a mule or horse on the farm,
Sl,000,7S0 were expended last seas
on in their purchase from drovers,
at an average cost per head Of more
than twice the cost Of raising them.
Notwithstanding this enormous an
nual outlay in horses and mules, and
the fact that it costs only $50 per
head to raise a mule or horse on the
farm, Sl,000,7o0 were expended
last season in their purchase from
drovers, at an average cost per head !
of more than twice the cost Of rails
ing them. Notwithstanding this
enormous annual outlay in horses
and mules, and the fact that it costs
only $50 to raise them to three
years old, only G,033 are reported
annually foaled in the State.
1t does seem these facts would put J
the farmers of Georgia to thinking
We never can have permanent pros
perity until We quit sending off for
everything. North Georgia must
take the initiative step and produce
more at home aud spend less.