The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1902-06-05
Guar STEVENS TALK
Some Wholesome Advice to
Farmers Of Georgia.
ESPECIALLY The YOUNG ONES

He Repeats Some OF the Timely Sug-
gestions of Last Year, Laying Stress
Upon Raising Abundant Corn and
! Forage Crops.
| Although the season is backward,
resembling in that respect the condi-
tons OF one year ago, faithful and skill
full work will, without some special
hindrances, give US good crops for the
| coming summer and fail
The experienced and successful farm
| er needs no advice as to the
best method to be pursued in order to
make his land yield abundant crops;
but so long as there shall be coming
into the agricultural field new and in
experienced toilers, so long will there
be need of line upon line and precept
upon precept. Hence, the necessity of
| repeating in part advice already given
| from year to year. The old farmer,
when he sees in agricultural journals
and monthly talks of commissioners,
the same familiar things in substance,
(however changed in expression), may
turn away and exclaim 1.-THE same old
song and dance!" But to the young
farmer desiring all the light that he
can get, these same hackneyed themes
are new and full of just the help he
needs.
! Therefore l must be excused for re-
peating some of the suggestions of
last year.
Cotton.
AS cotton is one of the chief crops
now engaging the thoughts and hands
of the farmer, let me again remind
the young planters that this plant re-
quires abundant sunshine, and i'm
| peratively demands that kind of man
| agement which will not take up the
strength of the land for the stalk and
leave not force enough in the soil to
bring forth fruit to perfection. Tie
] great essentials are to keep the cotton
clean and not to allow the plants to
be crowded. lest there be too much
shade with consequent increase of the
stalk and decrease in the number, size
and quality of the bolls.
The distance between the plants
should be from 18 inches to feet in
the drill. OF course, the fertility OF
the soil is an important factor in de-
Gliding the distance to be observed.
Let the young farmers not only read
all that they can find in one or more
of the excellent agricultural journals
that are issued monthly, but let them
consult those who from long practice
of the best methods have learned how
to secure the strength of the soil for
the fruit and to obtain abundant Yields
to the acre.
Sugar Cane.
In those sections of Georgia where
sugar cane is the best paying crop, il
Is plainly to the interest of the farm.
er to devote the toll of his brain and
hands to this important industry. AS
much good sense is shown in deciding
what crop to raise as in making the
soil do its best with what is cultivated
The syrup business of southwest Geor
gia continues to increase, and the in,
PRODUCTION of first-class syrup mills and
sugar reflneries is putting new life into
what. when properly developed, will
bring great increase of wealth to not
only the farmers, but also to the manu-
facturers and merchants of Georgia.
When agriculture fourishes. com
merce and manufacturers lift I'D their
heads and all rejoice together.
CassaVa.
In diversity there is wealth. Hence
we welcome and encourage in every
possible way any crop that promises
to open up new fields of enterprise
Cassava is we'll suited to many sec
lions OF the southern tiers of counties
in Georgia. The result of MANY ex
periments gives strong proof of the
profit to be derived by the farmers OF
southern Georgia from the cultivation
of this new crop.
while the species of this plant
raised in Georgia is useful as feed fo,
stock and is also good table vegeta
BILE, its chief recommendation is IFS
great ability to produce the highest
known grades, as well as the greatest
abundance of starch. One acre OF
south Georgia planted in cassava will
yield 1000 pounds of starch, which is
far In excess of the quantity produced
by the best potato lands of Illinois or
Michigan.
This plant is propagated by cuttings
of the stems and attains maturity in
six months. The production is said
to be sixteen times that of wheat.
Diversified Industries
AS this new agricultural INDUSTRY
progresses, great starch factories will
be built up, just as the cotton crop has
built up great establishments for tbe
manufacture of cotton fabrics, and lust
as the cultivation of sugar cane Is