Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-13
AN EXAMPLE OF MODERN
FARMING IN GEORGIA

In travelling through Talbot. Marion,
Chattahoochee and MuscOgee counties.
observe that the farmers are taking re-
newed interest in starting for another
years crop. All along we see field after
field already being plowed for the corn
and cotton crops, the old hedges cleared
away for the plow terraces and fences
in order-all of which indicates that the
farmers arc putting forth every energy
to make big crop this year 1t is the
disposition generally to curtail the guano
supply for this crop. They are diminishing
the acreage to the pillow by working the
best lands and turning the poorer lands
out to reeuperate. This is caused from
the scarcity of labor on the farm and the
high price of provisions. Not only do we
note thrift and energy of the farmer, but
their manufacturing enterprises as Well.
Speaking of farming. IL every farmer in
Georgia, or the south for that matter,
could but VISIT the model farm of Mr.. e.
d. Persons. of this place, they would view
II with wonder and amazement. Here we
find a man. though afflicted with rheu-
matism, up to his eyes in energy and thrift
with prosperity Astounding. He believes in
living at home in the true sense of the
matchmaking his own corn, wheat, oats,
meat, lard and syrup, besides surplus
to,sell. In talking with him concerning his
success I'm farming he said:
"In the first place give my wife equal
credit for what success we have attained,
If success you may call it. You see her
chickens out there on that rye patch; they
bring in q nice revenue with but little
cost Here in the barn you will find her
cows-that red Guernsey standing over
there eating peas and oats will give five
gallons of milk My wife would not take
800 for her. That COW yields us that much
profit in one year. Come here to my hog
lot and see my hogs. l killed more than
Z -. hefw~ oaIa
never raise more hogs than
/ can take the best of care. These hogs
ought to net me $50 to 800 pounds per head.
/ find the Berkshire crossed with the big
Guinea are the best kind of hogs. keep
good mules and the best of farm im8e-
ments. 1 am systematic in my business.
AS soon as one crop is gathered I COM
mence for another. When 1 harvest my
grain put the land to peas and potatoes,
making two crops in the year on the land.
In the fall as soon as l finish gather
ing the crops and putting in my grain
/, begin to prepare for another years
crop in the way of getting the land
ready for the pillow. If 1 can break my
land in the fall Of the year. I am firm
believer I'm subsoiling. pitch my crop so
that / may raise enough for home con-
sumption in case of short crop and plant
cotton as a surplus crop. 1 try to work
land that will pay People work too much
poor lana IndL OOeS pay the Gull
tivation. 1 use as little commercial fer
tilizer as possible. Close attention to BUSH
ness and diversified crop will keep the
wolf frorl the door. I believe have OUT
lined my mode of farming and if at any
time your appetite calls for one of the
old ante-bellum meals. come and spend
the day and / will guarantee my good
wife and daughters will give you a meal
that you don't find at every crossroads.
After bidding Mr.. Persons goodbye with
a promise to accept his hospitality I'm the
future / asked myself this question: If
one man.. by this method, can make
success Of farming, why not every farmer
1t is deplorable to ride through the coun-
try and see people working land that will
not yield enough to pay. for the fertilizer
they put on it. Stop the expense of labor
and fertilizer to work poor land, put your
time and energy on the best land. DIVERSE
fy your crops, make enough Of hog and
hominy and let your cotton be a surplus
crop and see If you do not profit by it.
G. r. EDGE.
Goneva "a