The progressive farmer and the cotton plant., 1905-09-12
GROW MORE WHEAT,

respondent Mr.. E. E. Miller of Morr;s+
Tenn, ought to turn the attention of MANY, r
our readers to the Importance of increasino +bo
acreage of this grain the coming season tn,
only sure foundation for continued prospertv =,
the South lies in the diversifcation of crons oI
the chances are that may learn this in the
dearest school of experience next year. If cotton,
prices stay about ten cents, it is going to be tbn
hardest task in the world to keep the acreaoo
down to reasonable limits. A heavy grain cro,
sown this fall will therefore be one of the hest
guarantees the Southern farmer can have Of
high-priced cotton in 1906.
But entirely apart from the effect on cotton
prices, it is worth while to grow wheat for its
own sake. Except for the few days required for
harvesting, the crop requires little labor; and it
also makes it easy to build up the SOIL the farmer
letting crop of peas follow the wheat
An enterprising fertilizer house has Just issued
a pamphlet "Why Not A Larger Area in Wheatw
IN which all these facts forcibly brought out
In the "good old days. of the decade before the
Civil War cotton brought an average of twelve
cents PER pound, and this was due largely to the
fact that Southern farmers made their supplies
at home, and therefore did not make an overpro-
duction of cotton. And our booklet has some sta
tistics bearing this subject that are worth
studying, with some comment that is also too good
to keep away from our readers
1.-The fact that every farmer made his own
wheat and flour was a prime factor in that opu-
lent condition of affairs before the war
I'm the presence of these interesting and in
valuable facts, the inquiry is perfectly natural
what did Georgia and the Carolinas do in wheat
culture in those days!
"In 1860, Georgia produced 2,544,913 bushels
of wheat, or "a bushels per capita, that is, 2
bushels and four-tenths of a bushel for every
man, woman and child within her borders.
"In 1900 she harvested only 1865 947 bushels
more than 778OOO bushels less than in 1SG0-a
per capita of only 79-1O0 of bushel.
"ln 1860, North Carolina made 4,743,706 bush
els of wheat-a per capita of At bushels.
"In 1900 she harvested 4,342, ,351 bushels of
wheat or % bushels per capita This 4035S
bushels less than in 1850
"In 1850, South Carolina produced 12S5631
bushels of wheat, or 1.8 bushels per capita.
"In 1900 she made 1917, ,319 bushels of wheat
being 268,0O0 bushels less than in 1860, per
capita of only three pecks.
suppose the farmers to determine to
bring the per capita production of wheat up to
the figures of 1860-what a harvest there would
be of the golden grain in Georgia and the Caro-
lnas!
"It can be done. It should be done.
"The farmers of these States should return to
wheat production. Their every interest demands
1T. If they wish to make cotton strictly money
crop rather than pure y exchange crop. theV
must grow wheat enough at least to make all the
flour needed on their farms and plantations
The first essential is to break the land deep
and harrow toll not clod is left on the tract
This will give seed-bed ready for seed and ter
tilizer.
"Get the best seed. Ulant, if possible with an
approved drill. Experience has proved that 1t Is
better to drill than to broadcast wheat.
"To prevent smut, soak the seed twelve hours
in solution of blue-stone Dissolve one poUh"
n hI10-C ct
Use enough of the solution to the sfGl
Spread out in the shade so they may dry ana l"
ready to plant.
"It is conceded that the blue-stem variety %
uhnot ic Ill Io4o