The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1895-11-14

Richness of their State-Other Interest
ing Topics Discussed.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
ATLANTA, GA, Gov. ], 1885
One has only to visit the Georgia
Stete building at the Atlanta Exposi.
ton to form some faint idea of the re.
sources and possibilities of our grand
old commonwealth. As northern Wis
itor truthfully remarked, even Geor.
gians are just beginning to realizs the
treasures that lie buried in the hills and
valleys of their native state When we
look upon the wealth of prod ucts gath
cred together in the State building, we
are impressed, not only with the album
dance and the fine quality of the food
crops both for man and beast, but with
the diversity from field, farm, garden.
orchard. vineyard and mines there dis
played The different industries, in
cotton, in wool. in leather in wood
work: the almost innumerable speci-
mems from mine and furnace and work
shop the grand collection of marbles
GRANTEES and ores, all impress us with
the magnitude of our natural resources,
and the progress, which has been made
since 1865. thirty years ago. when our
state was devasted and our people pros
trate. The more one studies this collec-
ton, especially Of the prducts agricul-
tpral and horticultural industries of the
state. the more one is convinced, that
a country, so varied in climate, so d.
versified in soil and products, has
bright future. if only her people are
thoroughly alive to the demands of the
times, and keep abreast with the i'm.
Yovemepts and progress necessary to
the Development of her various indus
tries. Our agriculture must not be suf-
fered to Jag behind the other indus.
tries, and one of the most favorable
indications to be noted in studying
this exhibit of the states progress
In agricultural work, is the evident
care and attention given to developing
heretofore neglected factors.
In the past our agriculture was de-
veloped too much in one direction at
the expense OF others equally import
ant. and the consequence was that in
stead OF symmetrical, we'll balanced
system, we were weighted down with
|
enough of home made meat, bread and
clothing on the other, to preserve the
proper equilibrium. But one cannot
fail to see that the farmers have real
lied their mistake, and that the broad
foundation of independence is being
laid in the well filled barns and smoke
houses, which will bless our state an
other year.
THE SUDDEN DECLINE
in cotton has made many paupers, but
while those men, who sold before the
decline are most fortunate, the above
conditions have made our farmers. even
those who did not sell, virtually in
dependent of the cotton market and
they can afford from their protected
situation, to view the furry in the
business world, with the calm conf
dence of men who are safe in any event
| because their money crop is absolute.
~ demanded by the needs of the world
and must sooner or later bring re-
doubt now that
THE CROP is SHORT.
There was decrease in the acreage
planted the young plants were very
much retarded and injured by the late
spring 1t was almost the middle of
summer before the belated crop began
to take on its usual vigorous appear
ance. and about that time the rainy
season came on and was so protracted,
that when the sun finally came out
most of the squares and young bolls
formed during the wet weather drop.
ped off. Added to this, in some sec.
tons of the state the crop suffered from
rust. boil worms and caterpillars, and
the early frost, four weeks in advance
OF the usual time, effectually cut off
the top crop. By the first part Of this
month If not earlier. the principal part
Of the crop will have been gathered.
With this powerfully illustrated lesson
brought home to their very doors, can
farmers be so foolish as to risk another
overwhelming cotton crop the coming
year? We have just gotten we'll start.
ed on our policy Of home independence
let us not turn back or be swerved from
our course, by the fictitious promise of
a large cotton crop, however alluring
the prospect. Let us settle this ques.
ton right now. He, who hesitates,
is lost" Let US keep this fact steadily
ID view. that the policy of cutting
home supplies short, in order to get in
q DAS uSLOdSo III CObUOu IS pau III VQo-
DRY, and worse in practice. Let us re-
solve to take care first of home needs,
and then put in all the cotton we are
able to manage and work to advantage.
If this policy is rigidly adhered to, an.
other year will witness q still more
prosperous agriculture and happy
and contented people.
SOWING GRAIN
The long continued drouth has much
delayed the sowing of the oats, clover,
grass and wheat. because of the impos.
sibility of blowing the land, and I'M
less there is rain before very long, the
danger is that this area of thsee crops
will be materially reduced When the
rains do come, the temptation to sow
the seed on land badly and hastily pre-
pared, will he very great But we
strongly urge that the mistaken plan
be avoided as far as possible. The Ia
ter the land is prepared, the better it
should be done, on account of the
danger to the crop from cold. The
thoroughly prepared, we'll seeded bed,
narticularly if the land is rolled stands