The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1902-06-04
COM'R STEVENS TALK
Some Wholesome Advice to
Farmers of Georgia.
ESPECIALLY THE YOUNG ONES

he Repeats Some of the Timely sug-
gestions CT Last Year, Laying Stress
Upon Raising Abundant Corn and
Forage Crops.
Although the season is backward,
resembling in that respect the condi-
tions of one year ago, faithful and skill
full work will, without some special
hindrances, give us good crops for the
coming summer and fall.
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 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 | must be excused for re-
beating 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. The
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 IS 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, it
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 ltS pest WIN WnaC is cuIIlVdLeu'
The syrup business of southwest Geor-
gia continues to increase. and the in
PRODUCTION of first-class syrup mills and
sugar refineries 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 up 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