The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-27
INTENSIVE FARMING.
Hon. R. T. Nesbitt, Commissioner Of
Apricultura UtndfcatAd

hOp. ". 1. NeSDlJti COmmlSSlOner OF
Agriculture, INDICATED.
Editor Morning Netcs: The Hon. R. T.
Nesbitt, being himself progressive and
successful farmer, began to urge the neces-
sity upon his fellow farmers of adopting
better and more intensive methods soon at
ter his election to the commissionership of
agriculture. His recommendations involved
and included every element OF successful
agriculture. They meant larger crops from
smaller areas; greater returns from smaller
expenditures; more money and less labor.
When, therefore, the results obtained by
Col. Corrupt came to his knowledge, they
were so con1rmAtory of his own ideas that
1t became not only his duty but must have
been his pleasure to report them. Indeed,
not to have done 80 would have been
dereliction of duty. The methods Of the
late Mr.. Dickson Of Hancock were similar,
and he died possessed of large estate, de
rived from the difference between the SELL
ing price and the cost of the production Of
cotton. He was more successful than others
for the reason of his better methods.
1t must, however, be borne In mind that
MIR. Nesbitt has never stated that cotton
had been produced for less than Z cents per
pound anywhere else within the borders OF
the state, nor that he had any expectation
that it could ever be so produced without
preliminary improvements OF the soil. But
now come his political opponents and seek
to misrepresent the facts as we'll as his
motives. The first announced candidate for
the Office has publicly claimed he had been
here assured of Chatham county. This
gentleman otficiated as my assistant iu-
spector Of fertilizers for a short time year
ago and a less competent one never met.
He probably failed of reappointment III
consequence of inefficiencv.
Progress in every branch of industry is
the motto Of the day, and whosoevsr ops
poses the present incumbent on this issue
necessarily assumes the position that no
further Improvement in the agriculture of
Georgia is posi- BILE; he reflects upon the in
tellgence OF our farmers and is unfit for the
Office
The cost Of production of bushel OF
clean rice on Savannah river Ia about 81.
The crop OF 1890 sold at from 81 % TO 81 10,
showing a narrow margin of profit | was
recently consulted by one of our rice
planters in regard to the probable effect of
the application he had made as top dress
ing of 200 pounds Of nitrate OF soda TO the
acre at cost of 81. During the ensuing
conversation | was informed he had, this
season, applied 200 pounds of Norwegian
tish scrap per acre to a part Of his rice crop.
In his opinion the price Of rice was SO low
and the uncertainties of its production so
fertilization and economy of labor, were
imperative. Last year he had, therefore,
applied 200 pounds fish guano, costing 81 80, to
the acre. resulting in an increased yield OF
rs bushels and O net profit OF 50 10 per
acre, aud necessarily In a decrease OF the
cost Of production.
Now, if this parallel case had been re-
ported to the co missioner OF agriculture,
would it not have been his duty to place it
upon record in the publications OF his de-
partment for the public benefit, or should
he have ignored 1t for fear Of similar ad-
verse and sonseless criticlsnl
During the boom in truck farming in
1883 several cotton planters attempted the
cultivation of Irish potatoes Among others
l recall two notable cases. One applied 200
pounds guano per acre on z acres and
the crop was Z. l q lao barrels per acre OF
all sizes. The other applied $50 pounds per
aero on ~ acres and made lilo barrels
por acre. The aggregate of 90 barrels was
the same in each case. Even this difference
in the yield is striking, but, If the soil con-
tanned a sufliciency Of vegetable matter TO
warrant tand such a condition Is eve y
where feasible through green manuring
with COW pease) the whole amount OF fer
tilzer applied and crop obtained, would
have been m tolerate for a single acre. The
very great saving in the cost of production
is sufficient Sixty barrels of Irish potatoes
per acre 10 considered a good crop, but over
40 have been reported in Chatham county.
In each and every case it is simply a
question Of management, fertility and pro-
duction. Irrespective of my own personal
interest, l submit to my fellow citizens
that the gentleman who advocates and ad-
vises the realization of the most bountiful
crops from the smallest possible areas is, in
this age OF progress, the most fit to be the
commissioner OF agriculture OF the state OK
Georgia. A. OEaLER.