Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1904-06-23
talk T0 The FARMERS
SrgGcstions From Com.
missioner 0. B. Stevens.
IMPORTANCE OF HOME SUPPLIES

-
If the Farmer Would Control the Price
Of His Cotton 1t lie Imperative that
He Raise His Own suppIles-other
Matters of Importance to AaricuI.
turists.
Atlanta, Ga, May 10, 1904.
The busy season which occupies all
the time Of our office force during
It's continuance, is now so nearly over
that we can find time to think of
something else; therefore, we will re-
sumo our monthly talks with the farm
| ars.
Not withstanding the backwardness
Oh last season and the falling off in
tne reduction of crops, the prices for
COTTON have ranged SO high as to inure
greatly to the benefit of our farmers.
Those who were not compelled by
business obligations to rush their cot
ION TO the market and hence could
AFFORD to hold it for the best prices,
secured better profits than they have
been able to make for many years.
Those, however, who had gone into
debt for their supplies, derived but
little profit from increased prices. be-
Ing compelled to go early into the
market to pay the factors who had
liens upon their crops.
1t would seem that we have here
another lesson on the Importance of
home supplies and independence OF
debt. A planter who makes his
farm self-sustafning by raising his own
food supplies for man and beast
makes his cotton a money crop, and
can hold 1t long enough at least to
make a fair profit from it's sale.
But he who has mortgaged his crop
to procure his food supplies, is at the
mercy of the lender and is often
forced into, the market with heavy loss
to himself.
Our advice to farmers, therefore, is:
II you would keep prices to a point
where they will bring good profits,
raise your food supplies. Doing this
you can do much toward controlling
the price.
CULTIVATION.
The long winter and cold spring
have not been favorable for the ger
mination Of crops. Yet the farmers
have had good weather for cultivate
the crop. Careful attention to this
part Of the work from the time OF
planting to the gathering of the bolls
is very important factor in insurinq
success to the farmer
TO prepare the land we'll bv plov.
ing, narrowing and putting in the
fertilizer required by the soil is not
only very good, but absolutely essen.
tlal. But no matter how we'll that
part Of the task may have been nor.
formed, without careful cultivation. it
profits little.
The experienced farmer knows that
unless his land is kept open and DO
rous' the best fertilizers will give lit
tie benefit to the crop. Hence. good
blowing and hoeing at the right time
have as much to do with success as
good preparation and manuring before
planting
Inc healthy growth OF the young
plant is promoted by frequent and
rapid workings and often deep plow-
ing is not only helpful but necessary
In order to pulyerize land that was
not completely broken up at the time
of preparation.
Remember, too, what we have or
ten said; Do not let your stalks
come UP too close together. From
20 to "a inches apart is close enough
NJ Be careful in hoeing not to take So
much dirt away from the young cot
ton US to cause danger of its falling
DOWN.
CORN.
In the second working of corn the
blowing should be thorough and deem
The application of fertilizers now, if if
has not already been done. on each
side Of the corn hills in the siding
burrows, will greatly aid the forming
of the ear.
If pease are to be planted in the
burrows between the stalks of corn. it
should be at the time of the second
working, If the rows OF corn are
wide enough apart. it is best to put the
pease in the middle
HAY.
So soon as you have removed vonr
small grain from the field, SOW peas.
adding a small quantity of sorghum
seed or corn, which will aid in hold
ing up the peas, and vii add value to
your crop Of peavine hay This plan