The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1904-09-15
COMMISSIONERS TALK
Interesting Letter From Hon.
G. Z. Stevens.
AS TO CROPS OF GEORGIA
Marked Improvement In Both Cotton
and Corn--Feach Crep Will BRING
100000 Into the safe of Georgia.

and Corn--Feach Crop Will Bring
100000 Into the safe of Georgia.
Each crop year has its own peculiar
tiles, and this is no exception. Last
year corn and cotton were retarded
by cool weather, rains and cool nights,
while this year they were retarded
over large areas by long-continued
drouth. Yet the farmers of Georgia
raised paying crops last year. and we
trust that by the blessing of God they
will do the same this year
al the time that we sent out letters
for information concerning the crop
conditions for our May-June report,
things did not look very promising, ex.
cept for fruit. Since then there has
been marked improvement in both
cotton and corn, and the promise of
the best peach year ever known in
Georgia has been fulfilled. With
about 100000 coming into our State
from the peach orchards and the hope
of remunerative crops Of corn and
cotton, even if they should happen to
fail below normal in production, our
farmers should take courage and labor
with renewed energy. The ravages
of the cotton boil weeVil in certain
sections of Texas have awakened con-
siderable apprehension among the
SntNfh 10 haes
not yet crossed the Mississippi, and it
is to be hoped that the measures for
preventing its spread may prove sue
cessful
The Georgia Department of Agricul.
ture, the State chronological Depart
ment, the Horticultural and Agricul.
tural Societies held consultations and
tn eoutcome of these deliberations is
the legislation providing quarantine
regulation against the weevil While
1t behooves us to take every precau-
ton against its introduction into our
fields, we feel assured that a remedy
against this insect will be discovered,
as has ben done in the case OF all pre-
vious enemies of our crops.
Professor o. F. Cook, of the United
States chronological Bureau, has
been experimenting with the Guate-
malan ant, which, he says, is the great
destroyer of the weevu and other enc
mics of cotton and itself in no way
harmful to crops. OF course, we are
inclined to look with suspicion upon
all such defenders, lest they prove as
great pest as the English Sparrow.
But, If the Guatemalan ant is what
Professor Cook claims for it, then we
can congratulate ourselves that the
remedy has ben discovered.
There are some who claim that the
South can, by a more scientific sys-
tenn of cultivation, raise 10000
bales OF cotton each year. and still
others say that within the present linn.
its the South will some day raise &c.,
100000 bales. Whether these extrav.
agant fiugres shall ever be reached is
Of little practical advantage 10 us just
now.
We think we can congratulate our.
selves that for several years at least
the supply will fall enough short of
the demand for our great staple, to in
sure us remunerative prices and to
put the prosperity of Southern farm.
ers On a permanent basis
&c Iah
conditions to see how our farmers are
to increase the production of cotton.
Perhaps it may be done, If they can
draw away laboreTs that have fiocked
to the cities and towns. II they can
do this, it may be to the detriment of
manufacturing interests. Will not in.
tensive farming go far towards the So
luton of this problem?
Some contend that in immigration
is found our best solution The De-
partment of Agriculture is in favor of
progress and considers the bringing
into Georgia of a desirable class of
immigrants step in the right direc.
ton. But what we want is immigra-
ton of Americans from other States
of the Union people who are imbued
with American ideas and clear un.
derstanding of them, so that the South
may continue to be, as in the past.
the best example of true Americanism
In race and in principles.
SUGAR CANE,
Encouraging reports come to us
about sugar care. We have informa.
ton that leads us to believe that this
industry is taking on new life in Geor.
gia and encourages our hope that at
no distant day the Empire State Of the
South will take the rank that she is
capable of holding as a strip and SUI
gar producing State.
In order to bring this to pass it is
not necessary to dveote a single acre
less to corn and cotton, the two lead
ling staples of Georgia. We desire
to see our State hold even a higher
rank than now as corn and cotton.