The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1904-06-15
TALKS TO GEORGIA FARMERS
Timely Suggestions From Com
missioner 0. B. Stevens.
IMPORTANCE OF HOME SUPPLIES

of His Cotton 1t Is Imperative that
He Raise His Own Suppies-other
Matters of Importance to Agricul'
turists.
The busy season which occupies all
the time of our office force during
its 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
erS
Not withstanding the backwardness
of last season and the falling off in
the production 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
ton 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-sustaining by raising his own
food supplies for man and beast,
makes his cotton a money crop, and
can hold it long enough at least to
make a fair profit from its 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:
If 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
animation of crops. Yet the farmers
have had good weather for cultivatig
the crop. Careful attention to this
part of the work from the time of
planting to the gathering of the bolls
is a very important factor in insuring
success to the farmer.
To prepare the land well by plow-
ing, narrowing and putting in the
fertilizer required by the soil is not
only very good, but absolutely essen
tial But no matter how we'll that
part of the task may have been per-
formed, without careful cultivation, it
profits little.
The experienced farmer knows that
unless his land is kept open and po-
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
The healthy growth Of the young
plant is promoted by frequent and
rapid workings, and often deep plon
ing is not only helpful but necessary
in order to pulverize land that was
not completely broken up at the time
of preparation.
Remember, too, what we have of
ten said: Do not let your stalks
come up too close together. From
20 to "a inches apart is close enough
Be careful in hoeing not to take sc
much dirt away from the young cot
ton as to cause danger of it's falling
down.
CORN.
In the second working of corn the
blowing should be thorough and deep
The application of fertilizers now, if i
has not already been done, on eacl
side of the corn hills in the SIDING
burrows, will greatly aid the formin!
of the ear.
If pease are to be planted in tn
burrows between the stalks of corn, /
should be at the time of the secon,
working If the rows of corn ar
wide enough apart, it is best to put tn
pease in the middle.
HAY.
SO soon as you have removed you
small grain from the field, SOW peas
adding a small quantity of sorghum
seed or corn, which will aid in holC
ing up the peas, and vii add value t
your crop of peavine hay. This pla
will aid materially in building up you
sand
Those who have not already move
their clover, orchard and tall oat gras
should do this work. Do your cuttin
after the dew dries. After you Sc
that the grass is thoroughly willie
put Il up in cocks, narrow and tall, s