The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1892-06-02
Selections from the May Circu.
lar Of the
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AG-
RICULTURE.
acreage Planted in Cotton Corn the
Crop Condition and Prospect.
Circular No. I, Fourth Series,
GENERAL REMARKS.

-O ~ pa IAACuL AOT 1ASC season. tQe num-
per OF correspondents has been very
largely increased. This was done that
the labor of those who were then serv-
ing the Department might be lghtened
by permitting them to confine their OBJ
servations to their own immediate neigh
borhood. and that fuller and more accu-
rate information might be obtained
from each section of every county.
The result has been gratifying, and
not only has the ordinary matter for the
crop report been given, but also valua-
ble data has been furnished covering
the individual enterprise of Georgia
farmers, and the industrial and agricul-
tural development OF our State.
Much of the material furnished would
have been publithed in this report but
for the fact that the space was required
Tor the work of the Experiment Station
In future reports, and for reference, we
Wall be able to utilize, we trust with
benefit, the communications, and hope
that subsequent reports will be made
with as much painstaking care as has
characterized the work of all the CORES
pondents for this report
The abnormal condition presented of
our staple crop bringing in the market
less than the cost of its production. de-
manded a change in our methods, and
the comprehensive view of the acreage
devoted to the various crops, exhibited
by the tabulated statement, shows that
the farmers have done all in their power
under present conditions, to meet the
exigencies of the case
The large area planted in cereals is a
cause for congratulation. The further
fact, not apparent from the tables. that,
where facilities for supplying the North
ern market with vegetables are afforded
and large cities offer home market. an
impetus has been given to truck farm
ing and gardening. is also source of
satisfaction.
WEATHER.
While the beginning of the season has
not been such in some sections of the
State as would promise a hardy stand.
especially of cotton, yet we trust that
the recent rains, the results from which
we have received no official report. will
develop more favorable prospect. The
state has been almost universally free
from late frosts, and but little damage
has been done to fruit or vegetation.
CORN.
In this crop the largest increase in
acreage is shown. amounting in Middle
Georgia to over II per cent. and over
the State to over ID per cent. The GEN
eral tendency for several years has been
IN the direction of planting large area
IN this great food crop; but at no time
since records of this character have been
kept by the Department has 30 great an
increase been made. As to general con-
dition, compared with the reports of
previous years, the crop is good, The
plant is generally in fair condition as
to cultivation.
WHEAT
This crop, which has been regarded as
more and more and more uncertain each
year, shows for the first time in several
years an increased acreage A revival
of interest in the crop may lead to ascer-
tanning the cause of the poor success
with which its cultivation has been re-
Gently attended. Should this be accom-
plished, great benefit will be derived
by North Georgia, where at one time it
was cultivated to large extent. The
condition and prospect, compared with
an average, is good, being per cent
above an average.
OATS.
The acreage planted in this crop is
greater in every part of the State, except
Southeast Georgia, where there is a de-
crease of 6 per cent. The condition and
prospect is good in North and East
Georgia, and poor in Southwest and
Southeast Georgia. The proportion of
the crop sown in the fall and spring is
about the same, particular localities
sowing nearly the entire crop in the fall.
while other localities, geographically
similarly situated, SOW in the spring.
COTTON
In this, our great money crop, we find
the greatest reduction in acreage ever
reported. This result is due, to a large
extent, to the low price the crop brought
last season. Another cause which has
led to the decrease'is the effort on the
part Of many farmers TO raise their sup
plies at home. This tendency is illus.
trated by q comparison of the tables
published by the Department for several
years. In many sections of the state the
crop is reported at from ten to fifteen
days late, The condition and p-ospect
is very poor, end we can only hone That
more propitious seasons will develop a
harder and luore vigorous plant and
bring out better stand.
FRUIT.
On the prospect 'of a fruit crop IL ia
gratifying to report that a larger Weld
is promised than for any year since 1889.
While injuries by frost have been re-.
ported, the damage done is not SO great
but that there will be bounteous Weld
In those sections of the State where the
orchard is source of profit no material
damage is reported and fattering Weld
is promised.
GRASS CULTURE
The cultivation of the grasses and for
age plants is attracting more attention
in Middle and North Georgia, This is
evidenced by the increased area that has
been planted. So long as the stock in
our large cities are fed from the fields of
Tennessee and other States, too much
cannot be said in favor of Georgia pas
turage and in behalf of the cultivation
of Georgia hay.
STOCK
The condition of stock throughout the
state is generally good. In some locali-
ties cholera is reported among the hogs,
A question of very serious moment to
every stock owner in the State is that