Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-25
MACON CONGRESS
IS THEME FOR
FARMERS
OF THE SOIL IN VARIOUS
PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES
WRITE OF SUBJECTS Dis
,cUssED IN GEORGIA.

BALTIMORE, Dec. A.-Bearing direc.
~ and favorably upon the rapidly enlarf
ing immigration movement toward th
south is the publication in the Januaf
issue OF the Southern Farm Magazine
Baltimore of letters from a number
representative farmers in Pennsyivani;
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin. Micl
igan, Iowa and Nebraska. giving the
impressions of the south, based upon the
observations as delegates to the Nations
Farmers. Congress at Macon, Ga. Thea.
letters are written with extreme frank
ness and under the inspiration of perfec
friendliness for the south and its people
andsof the memories of southern hosp
tality and southern soil and climate. The
are valuable as expressions in behalf
the south of opinions based upon expert
ences in states where American farmin
has been carried on under favorable ca
oumstances and according to the most e :
proved methods. Not one of these letteE
is without its suggestion, but it is signIs
cant and worthy of serious consideration
on the part of southern farmers, thai
while recognizing the many great natl
raj advantages Of the south. many of n
letters criticise in kindly tone the neglcc
OF these opportunities, and nearly all
them comment upon the comparati,
scarcity Of live stock and upon the a
vantages from many standpoints in e
ing more attention to grazing. This sU
gestion is one of many pointing to T.
profit for the south in greater diversifica
ton Ia agricultural pursuits Typical
tracts from few of the letters follow:
Mr.. B. +. Clayton, of Indiapola, Iowa
native OF the south, contrasting the times b
fore the war with the present. and referring
the progress made since the war, writes: err,
restoration Of peace found the southern far1fe
a financial wreck. not knowing how or where
begin. Having faith in his fair land, he re ~
ganized the south. He seized upon every natli. ia
resource. He started on a new road OF dive, =
ned farming. Agriculture, horticulture q ,
stock raising. all the diversified blending
these industries. became his occupation. ,
kinds OF vegetables and fruits were planted
step by step he began again Now he rais
cotton and wool and manufactures them ir
cloth for the use Of his own people. He preff
the cotton seed and its product brings to b
enormous wealth He sells the hulls and a
make splendid fodder. He furnishes New Yc
with the first melons OF the season at fabulc
prices and Boston with its first fruits r.
which he realizes 500 per acre plus the
of production. He starts north with his ca
vegetables and small fruits and brings no
millions OF dollars. while his family Is q
Quoting a successful family dairy on peavin
The present opportunity for the farmer In
south never looked brighter. and is equal
that OF any country II he viii use his br
and his muscle. The south is susceptible
maintaining twice its present population. 2
rapid strides Of the last decade have been m
expectations OF its most sanguine people. II J.
millions OF rich undeveloped acreage at g.
small means. and will welcome him TO q climp
as genial. 70 flowers as fragrant, to seen ?
as beautiful and to sky as bright az any co. }
try on earth"
sylvania department of agriculture. observ
the vast amount OF land capable OF proht1
cultivation. and arguing for a proper rota,
in the southern states will come not 4
without. but from within. II must be effec
largely by the men who already live on )
land The agencies that are to be most potent
aiding these land holders are: First. the as
cultural college; second, the agricultural
pertinent station: third, the agricultural ins
tuition, and, fourth. the agricultural journal.
these educational institutions are literally =
ported and inteIligentiy directed. II viii not
long before the southern states viii be prs
tfcing diversified farming. cheapening IT,
methods OF production. Improving the fef
ity of their lands and adding greatly TO
comfort and prosperity Of their agrtcultr
people BY these means there VIII be gif
ali over the south visible demonstration
what the southern states are capable In the
OF agriculture. The sight OF this prospe
wtll of itself, attract the better class OF IN
ligent farmers from elsewhere. and the
of immigration will be diverted from the g.
west to the milder climate and greater pc.
bilities OF the SOUTH rN
oliver Wilson. of Magnolia. Ill, whose O.
ION of southern Agriculture was changed
his trip, writes: That agriculture has
reached
Is apparent TO the casual observer, but 3
that better methods are being applied ami
greater interest taken. and I believe III 4
are many farmers in the north and west ",
are paying high rent. without even hope
ever owning a farm in those sections,
would do well to investigate possibilities
the south where land is cheap and
proper culture may be brought UP to
state OF cultivation. bringing profitable
turns to fits owners"
Mr. John NJ. stahl, Of Quincy. H.. Sc
tary Of the Farmers National Congress,
show his faith by his works. He writes: - 2
south does not know Of its riches 1t has hi
touched the hem OF its resources. What
think OF the south as a field for investrne5'
is best shown By the fact that I purpose
invest in 1t all my surplus dollars from tn
time on
Regarding the opportunities for farmers 9
the south, the following views are express
A. F. Strange. Walshville, ILL.,: "A ~
which can be made profitable, with It's J r
price and with the finest climate In the wor
will appeal strongly TO the debt burde7e
debt on account Of the big price of his lan9
f. e Nudge. LaSalle. H.: You have -
farm lands there cheap. We have good e
mers here with land too high We must co'
r. L. Roberts. Joppa. ILL.,: II would adv
any one who Is seeking health. wealth =
happiness to try the south. especially Flor
Georgia and Alabama. OF course. am too
should go to the south. as think 1t far
perior to the western lands for all purpose;
Hiram veman, Verone. Wis: II north
farmers should invest in land IN Georgia
no reason why they could not make =
cess"
P. @. Cunningham. Patterson, Iowa: "
think that people from this section would
as well in Georgia OF Florida as they can =
in the west or in the north. II not better.