Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-09
49, ~ sowINe WHEAT

aroused too fully 10 the importance
OF planting a considerable area Of
their farming lands in wheat dur
ing the next sixty days. particularly in
all OF those sections where our lands are
favorable to its growth and profitable de-
velopment.
The price OF provisions and all kinds
OF commodities used on the farm are con-
tinually advancing In price Provision
bills within the past twelve months have
almost been prohihitOry 70 the farmer
who has been heretofore depending upon
his cotton crop to pay for supplies and all
other costs for the operating expenses
OF his farm. The prices for which we are
forced to sell our cotton is not on a par
fty with the high prices which we have
20 pay for the things that have been
bought. The J argin OF Inference as been
too heavy in favor Of the seller Of such
commodities as we have been in the hab-
Il Of buying reducing the margin Of
rroft on our money crop to about the
cost OF production We could better at
ford TO run the al cotton system on a
basis OF cents for that staple two years
ago at the pctces then prevailing for sup
plies. than 20 buy provisions at the pres
ent prices and sell our cotton for 5
cents. The crop OF cotton this year has
been short IN most sections OF the cot
ton belt taking into consideration es-
peciaIly the shortness Of the staple. Or
dinarily farmers are quite busy with their
cotton during the time which should be
taken up in preparing their lands for
wheat. This trouble. however. will not be
on Us this fan. and nothing short Of in
difference viii stand in the way OF being
able 20 plant a gOOdly area OF land on
every farm IN this valuable grain crop.
The first question Of prime importance to
decide. Is whether or not the crop can be
made a profitable one by giving II that
the best results. The question OF an ex-
tensive area Is not important. A few
acres properly prepared and highly fertil-
tied will turn out a heavier yield than
double the number OF acres on poorly
prepared land with little or no fertilizers.
The general unfamiliarity OF our people
with this crop renders IL necessary 10
discuss I'm detail many OF the important
features essential in making an effort to
secure the best results. This I shall en-
deavor 70 cover as fully as possible in
this article. There are many successful
wheat growers in the south. annually
turning out as heavy yields per acre as
Is made on the best lands in the great
wheat regions OF the west. The possibili-
tiles OF our southern soils TO meet compe-
tition from any section has been fully es-
hundreds OF practical farmers in yearly
y-aids OF me different crops planted. No
man should ever become discouraged in
making an earnest. active effort TO pro-
vide the food crops necessary for sustain
ing all the requirements OF his family and
farm animals II Is the key note to sue
cessful farming in the south where condi-
tons not only render diversified farming
possible. but make that system OF farm
- A rrrTr ton IF
our magnificent resources. and a deter
mination 20 take advantage OF them. win
within a few years make every such
farmer independent and secure for him a
business which Is not only pleasant, but
highly lucrative.
The character OF the soils best suited
for the growth and development Of wheat
is good clay loan. furnished with good
Is supply OF humus and nitrogenous
matter. phosphoric acid and potash. The
elements OF phosphorsc acid and potash
should predominate. particularly the for
n1er. Light sandy soils will not yield sat
isfactory results. and such lands would
pay better planted in something else.
There are but few sections OF farming
lands IN the south, however. which with
proper tillage and fertility viii not yield
a fairly good crop OF wheat Whenever
a strong vigorous stalk Is secured with
but little or no development OF grains. the
trouble Is not so much with the land as
f.. Il Is with the absence Of proper fertiliz-
ing ingredients. Such a condition Of af-
fairs under otherwise favorable climatic
conditions indicates deficiency Of both
elements OF phosphoric acid and potash
IN sufficient quantities 10 develop the food
constituents OF the grain. 1t would then
Be incumbent upon the grower to provide
these absent constituents either by heavy
applications OF barnyard manure, ashes
and lime. OF by the purchase and use Of
such commercial fertilizers as will furnish
the required needs OF tie soils I'm proper
proportions. There Is no one thing
more essential IN preparing for a wheat
crop than the thorough preparation OF