The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1905-02-09
DlYERSIFICATION
OF FARM PRODUCTS
OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE
TO ALL FARMERS.
SOMETHING TO SELL DAILY
Text Of Resolutions Adopted at the In
terstate Cotton Convention Held in
New Orleans Last Week. Plan of
Divcrsifcation Treated Intelligently.


The great cotton convention which
was held in New Orleans last week
has emphasized in no unmistakable
terms that the prosperity of the south
is dependent upon Investigation; that
the welfare and happiness of every
farmer, every merchant and every
banker is to have each farmer prac-
tice Investigation, so that he may
control his cotton instead Of being
controlled by it; that he must make
it surplus crop and not sole de-
pendent.
The south is rich in fertile lands,
and an equitable climate to produce
all the great food crops Of the world,
and with livestock become the most
independent and prosperous section.
There is no other section of the Union
that can produce as great variety
of crops as the south.
The National Cotton Association
stands for the reduction of the cotton
acreage and the consequent increase
In diversification. Our plan is to have
a community of interest between the
farmer, the merchant, the banker and
the local paper, for Investigation
along such lines as will be the best in
terest Of each individual community.
And in this work the National Cotton
Association has the support and en-
dorsement of the farmers, the bank
ers, merchants, newspapers, spinners
and the legitimate handlers of cotton.
1t also has in this the support Of every
friend and well-wisher Of the farmer
and those who are really working for
the prosperity and upbuilding of the
south.
There should be community of in
terest and close organization be-
tween the farmers, and bankers and
the editor of each local newspaper of
every school district of the south, not
only sto cotton, but as to all other
only that can be raised with profit.
The National Cotton Association
has received reports from the school
precinct meetings that more than
100000 farmers, bankers and mer-
chants are pledged to reduction of
the cotton acreage and adoption Of di-
versifcation. This work will be kept
up through the local committee of
each school precinct cotton association
until every farmer in the southern
states has been pledged to diversifi-
cation and a reduction of the cotton
acreage.
More than 1000 editors Of the To-
cal papers throughout the south have
replied to our personal letters and
said that they will carry department
an each issue on "Diversifcation.
Diversifcation means first, that
every farmer should set aside suffi-
cient amount of land to produce all
the food and forage he will need for
his own consumption.
Second-Then plant little more Of
such crops as he can sell for cash
each month in the year in his local
market, or, together with his neigh
bors, make up a shipment for the
larger market, and in this each one
wants the advice of his local banker,
merchant and editor.
Third When those two are provid-
ed for, then plant your cotton crop.
Make. cotton your surplus crop.
With the possible exception of Tex
as, there is not southern state that
raises enough corn, oats and other
grains to supply the home demand,
and every year your cotton money
goes to swell the wealth of the wes-
tern grain farmer.
The following shows the production
in the various cotton states of corn
In 1904:
State. Bushels.
North Carolina ......... 40,705,47S
South Carolina -. -. 22,1S9,S37
Georgia ......... 49,. 1888, 713
Florida :. ............ 6,640,334
Alabama :. :. .......... 41,S77,165
Mississippi .......-. :. 39,7O9,664
Louisiana -. -. ...... :. 27,258,443
Texas ;. .......... -. .136, 7O2, 500
Arkansas ......... $500. 48,332,614
Tennessee ........... ;. sO,s9O,O25
There is no reason why the south
should import corn, but there is every
reason why we should not only raise
enough for our own consumption but
make it an article Of export. Every
southern state is nearer the great ex-