Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1907-07-20
COLQUITT GETTING
AHEAD OF SUMTER
Practical Steps to Start
Tobacco Culture
PUBLIC NEE TING HAS BEEN CALLED
OF All Farmers Interested in the Mat.
ter--Tdlk of Starting a Stock Com
pany for a Small Experimental
Tobacco Farm.
PUBLIC MEETING HAS BEEN CALLEI

1t looks very much as though Col
quit county citizens were going to
display more enterprise than those of
Sumter county so far as the cultiva-
tion of tobacco is concerned.
The Times Recorder has already
several lines drawn attention. to the
fate that recognized authorities agree
that Sumter county, or large sec
tions of it, at least, are peculiarly
adapted for the raising of a fine
quality of tobacco leaves.
1t had been hoped that this year
experiments along this line would be
undertaken, but nothing so far has
been done. Probably next year, when
the agricultural college is at work,
experiments will be conducted there
to ascertain exactly what can be
done on different kinds of soils un-
der our climate conditions. 1t is to
be hoped that tobacco culture can
be introduced to vary the crops of
the county and introduce one that is
highly profitable when a fine quality
of output results.
From the Moultrie Observer we
learn that a determined effort is on
foot in Colquitt to experiment along
these lines. The Observer says:
Or. G.. B. Harrell of Doerun was
here yesterday in conference with
Mr.. G. A. Horkan and some other
citizens on the subject 1t is the
opinion of these gentlemen that with
the proper preparation and equip
ment and under the direction of an
expert tobacco grower the industry
would be successful in Colquitt and
it is their desire that plans be in
augurated to make the experiment.
1T has been suggested by these
gentlemen that a cooperative move
ment be instituted to test the culture
of tobacco here. They think that
good plan would be for all the land
Wv hClo anu OIlCl pIOpGIly OWE6fS
and citizens of the county who are
interested form a stock company to
establish small experimental to-
bacco farm here. 1t is their idea
to engage an expert tobacco man
from some of the tobacco regions and
have him examine hte soil in all
sections of the county and determine
which section would be best adapted
to the growth of tobacco, if in his
opinion any should be suitable. The
farm would be operated at the ex-
pense of the company. This plan
would enable a thorough test of the
culture here and if it should prove
culture here and if it should paroee
successful, all who should desire to
engage in the business could do so
with the benefit of the experience Of
the farm that made the test No
sooner that it can be determined that
the growth of tobacco can be dons
with success in Colquitt county many
would, engage in the business and it
would soon become a leading indus
try here.
"The gentlemen who have had the
matter up think that it would be i'm
possible and unreasonable to expect
any individual to make the expert.
ment as at first it is quite expensive,
a considerable outlay of money be-
ing necessary with no certainty of
the results. They say, aG1 their
ideas seem to be thoroughly correct
that the entire county would profit
much by the txoec;lneut and it is
but right that all poin in defraying
expenses instead of letting Them fall
on one individual.
"a meeting of all the farmers, land
owners and others interested is cali
ed to Lc held at tar court house on
the first Tuesday N Alt;rst to takeup
the matter of making some plans for
thes tobacco growing experiment. If
others may have better suggestions
to offer these will be appreciated
Tobacco growing is one Of the
profitable Industries of any kind to
be engaged in and a successful ef-
fort in that direction in Colquitt
county would prove a great boon,
serving to Immediately enhance the
value of all properties in the county
to wonderful degree. 1t Is urged
that all who are interested be at the
meeting called for the first Tuesday
in August