The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1899-11-02
cuLTIvArIN0 SUGAR CANE.
Dcpnrtm nj or Agriculture Sends
IL tiers Ia OrdinnrieS.

1cphFtm nv III A3fNuuuFe sends
IL tiers tn Ordinhries.
The question of the Importance OF
growing sugar care has been discussed.
somewhat, III the leading papers of the
state in the last five weeks, and to pro-
cure information on this subject this
Department has sent out circular letters
TO each Ordinary of the several counties
in the state, asking for the names of the
farmers who have grown cane. We
have found 1T almost impossible to OBJ
tain such information as we desire. and
yet. we have the names OF several grow
ers of this product who have made some
successful, as we'll as encouraging. re.
suits
We only cite one instance as an ex.
ample; we visited the farm of Captain
I. j. James, In Emanuel county.
and found that he had 100 acres
planted in sugar cane.
Last year Captain James had 1o5 acres
and he made 400 gallons per acre, and
sold his crop at an average of 20 cents
per gallon. which would be 500 per
acre. The cost Of manures was $500
per acre.
suppose we divide the amount of pro.
duction by one-half, then we receive
500 per acre, or four times as much from
cotton.
we are not an alarmist, nor do we ad-
wise the production of one crop over an
other, but the time has come when we
must establish markets for our farm
products.
Inc lumber and turpentine interest
have taken up the time and attention Of
Southern. Southeastern and South
western Georgia for number of years.
These industries have opened up large
area Of land which will naturally be
utilized, and of course in the nature of
things these industries will open up all
these lands and in few years turpen.
tine and lumber will be a small indus
try. What will we do with these lands
Is question of vast Importance. We
cannot afford to cultivate all of them in
cotton, for the demand is not enough to
afford the farmer adequate prices to
make it profitable.
Under these conditions we must look
to the raising of such crops as will meet
with decided demand to fill the de.
mands of our own wants
We believe that the farming interest
of this state can be run with financial
success If properly managed and under.
stood. To do this we should know the
facts, in order that we may formulate
plans to this end This department has
striven to accumulate the facts, so as to
give them to farmers. We have form.
ulated the following questions and de.
sire that each person who has had expo.
rience in cane growing to give us re.
suits in order that we may compile
them. and we will be thankful for such
information. We want the answers
sent to this department as early as pos.
sible to the following questions:
~ Quantity of cane raised in 1S96-97.
98 &c.
(O Quantity raised in tons $4,000
pounds) per acre each year.
(0 What amount of surplus syrup or
sugar have you sold?
az What was average price each
year?
(5) What was the number of acres
planted in your county?
(6) Average number of gallons raised
per acre.
We propose to push this industry and
to procure the establishment of syrup
mills-sugar manufactures. We must
be in position to give this information
to the people who have. the capital
necessary to furnish these necessities for
the manipulation Of this industry.
Georgia was the first state to enter
into this industry and was a considera.
BILE product before the war between the
states. but was discontinued TO q large
extent ON account OF the demand for
cotton. Now thst the demand has been
supplied and we are opening mp more
acreage for cultivation each year, what
shall we plant. so as to supply the de-
mands Of the people and at the same
time look TO self preservation. ia n mo.