The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28
$3.50, Worth S3O.OO..

a net profit of $35. Now, 1 said, let us
take up the second crop. What is the
cost of producing this crop, and how does
the cost compare with that of the first
crop? They began to talk it over and
came to this conclusion:
They had to use no fertilizer in making
the second crop, as there was enough left
in the soil from the first crop to produce
this second crop. Then they said that in
the matter of seed that the small and
cut potatoes of the first crop which were
not merchantable were used for reseedfng
the land, so that they were really not out
anything for seed. Then they agreed that
the last crop had required very little cul-
tivation, and that the total expense of the
crop, growing and placing on the market,
could be covered with $40 per acre. Well,
the next question was what was the yield
per acre of this last crop? The conclusion
was that the late crop was the best Well
the next question, what is this late crop
worth? The answer was two cars were
loaded here yesterday at 65 cents per
bushel on the track. Well, l remarked,
we will call the average crop 100 bushels
per acre-this gives you S65; $40 for ex-
penses leaves you $45 net per acre; add to
this the $35 for the first crop and you have
$50 per acre net profit, less your rent or
could you engage in that would give You
more money for your investment? They
had not stopped to figure out just how
well they were doing and were really sur
prised at their own figures. But this is
not all that there is to this matter. Be-
fore / got out of this same store a land
agent came in and said that a deal had
just been closed, a purchase of 5000 acres
had been made, and he went on to say
to one of these potato growers. l am
now ready to close that deal with you on
what land you want. They went out to
one side, and I heard the agent say you
can have your pick of this land at $40
per acre. Now the idea was this, that
land that would give a net return of $50
per acre on one years crops selling for
$50 per acre. OF course, this Is raw, UNI
broken land, and it would perhaps cost
more to break and fence the land and put
1t in state of cultivation than the first
cost of the land would amount to. l sup
pose that it would require at least $50 per
ere to put this land in a state Of cultiva-
Ton SO as to produce such results as
mentioned. But even this, and add the
first cost of the land $40, and we have
$50 per acre cost before getting a crop.
But even at these figures there would be
some profits left even out of the first
years crops. Now I mention these facts
to show what a man may do who has a
little money to commence with.
He can make money truck farming In
the south If he can buy his land and car
ry himself through the first year without
going in debt. Then, too his success will
depend largely on his experience and fit
ness for the business. 1 want to speak
also of the returns from other crops, but
will have to take them up later, as my
space is about consumed for this time.
But in conclusion 1 want to say tat IL
there is any wind in the above statements
and figures 1t was put there by the grow
ers themselves, for I have based my esti-
mates and figures from statements which
/ have gathered from the growers them
selves and my experience as a grower
led me to belive that these are conserva-
tive statements.