The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-21
THE FARM AND THE GARDEN.
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO HOUSE
WIFE AND AGRICULTURIST

Many Acres of Corn to BE RepIantcd.
The Crop of Potatoes-TrOubIe
with TOmntoes-Rape Growing in
GeOrsin-HOw Cassaya Is Planted
stock Raising i'm the south.
Both in field and garden no doubt
there Will be a good deal of work done
over in April that was thought to be
successfully accomplished in March.
The soil was abnormally cold and wet
in the latter month and seeds rotted
in the ground. instead of terminating
Thousands of acres of corn will have
to be replanted throughout Middle
Georgia. Even now, April IS, the soil
is several degrees colder than it US
ually is on the first of the month. Such
plants of various kinds as have come
up in the past three weeks have made
much less growth than they usually do
in that period. Irish potatoes planted
March are still popping through the
soil from day to day, after being in
the ground six weeks. In this section
planted the last of February, this crop
requires only four weeks. usually, to
show a complete stand.
This crop. we fear, will be something
of failure this year, if growers do
not exhibit a little more energy than
they appear to be showing in meeting
the requirements that now attach to
the making of perfect crop of pota-
toes.
Both blight and insects are obstacles
now that were not met with five or
even three years ago.
There are inherent defects in seeds
not only of potatoes. but of nearly all
kinds both of field and garden. This
season we found it quite difficult to
buy any first class seed potatoes in
our market. Nearly all were affected
more or less with scab, and it was no
easy matter to procure a few bushels
even of firm, perfectly smooth tubers,
that, when cut, were crisp and free
from black spots.
Tomato growers are aware that for
two or three years past it has been
far more difficult than it was pre-
NlOtSly " 6lOM lOlllttlO SCChS W 5Clili7
nate and grow and the same trouble
has been found with beans and peas.
All over the country there has been
more or less complaint of the imper-
lection of farm and garden seeds, and
we fear it is a condition likely to be-
come more serious from year to year.
1t is a question of vital Importance
to those who plant and especially to
those who cannot or do not raise their
GpAfG connection with this
subject we would express the convic-
ton that it is in the power of the
Georgia Experiment Station under its
present able management to inaugu-
rate a system of seed growing and
selection that would place the station
ultimately in the position of general
seed store for the farmers and gar
be carried out very greatly to the adj
vantage of the station, of the state,
and of the people that farm and gar
den.
AS one in deep sympathy with the
latter we would be glad to anticipate
that five years from now ev
cry farmer and gardener in
the state could as a last resort
that is If he had not raised his own
perfect seed-turn to the station and
procure seeds of any of the staple
crops at reasonable prices and in the
assurance that they were as good in
quality as could be grown.
We have reached a stage when an
official seed grower is a real necessity
for the agricultural interests of the
state.
1t would be worth millions to Geor-
gia If such a privilege was provided
that the farmers and gardeners could
restock themselves with seeds of per-
feet terminating quality; to begin with
especially those of cotton, corn, oats,
wheat, rye, peas. lucern, sorghum and
others In due time as the demand may
warrant.