Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-03

wheat oat and other acreages upon which
food supplies Of various kinds can be
raised. II not for market. at least enough
TO make the farm self-sustaining upon
which they are produced. Sweet potatoes
are tOGay worth from IS cents 10 S1.O0 per
bushel in our markets, and they are hard
TO get at that price.
From 100 TO 200 bushels can be easily
raised per acre at but little cost. and sold
at a profit far greater than could be real
lied from the same acreage in cotton, even
III one bale per acre could be produced.
Corn is selling at S1.0O per bushel and meat
at 10 and II cents per pound. Southern
farmers can raise their corn and meat for
less than half these prices, upon certain
~ much more satisfactory basis. IL has
always been and always will be bad policy
on the part Of the farmer to purchase
anything which he can proftably raise on
his farm. Within lie past ten years a
notable Improvement has been made in
Georgia and the other states i'm the more
extensive production OF supplies at home
and the more general merging into the
business OF diversified agriculture. In
every county hundreds of farmers can be
found who make their farms self-sustain-
ing, and who are generally independent.
But the majority Of our people. particular
" the tenant classes, have grown 10 be-
lieve that because they rent land and
must pay their rents with so much lint
cotton to the pillow, that they must plant
all cotton and but little or no corn. This
class of farmers are making but little
progress. and their failure to make money
is due entirely to their system of bad
management, and not so much to the fact
that they are renters.
Diversifylne the Only Hope.
We have had all the experience wanted.
the best and safest plan now Is to act. and
act as each mans best judgment will die
tate. IL is time 70 get out Of the old ruts
that have made so many thousands of far
mers dependent upon the whims. fancies
and dictates OF the commercial world, and
forge ahead on more substantial and solid
grOuno. Raise more corn, peas, hogs, cat
tie. hay, poultry, and other feedstuffs,
which are so absolutely essential to sue
cess, and which every successfully farmer
at the present time produces. Read your
farm papers carefully. grasp all the new,
practical ideas that are advanced and en-
oeaVor 10 use them to advantage. We
made less cotton this past season than we
did in 1890. and sold il for 5000 per bale
less, Notwithstanding the fact that every
spindle in the world is running on full
time and a fine demand for all kinds of
cotton goods exists. We cannot sell the
new cotton fer its value, when the major
ity Of our people are forced 10 turn it
loose on an overstOcked market TO meet
Obligations due the merchants for corn
and meat. Raise supplies at home this
year, and II cotton does not bring a high
price next fall the producers will at least
be In an independent position. Don't think
50 much about cutting down the cotton
acreage, but determine to increase the
corn acreage and the cotton acreage will
then properly regulate itself. Get rid Of
a position which forces you to be refused
credit by anybody. and out of the soil
which Is under your own control secure
freedom and independence. II is easy to
those who try, and easier for the farmer
than in any other line of business in
which men are engaged. IL is sincerely to
be hoped that the food supply acreage of
the south will be largely increased during
the coming months and that the excess
cotton acreage, for which there is no need,
viii be correspondingly decreased.
HARVIE JORDAN.