The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1909-02-04
DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE
Re-Awakening of the South
Review of the Progress of the
South Along Agricultural
Enes-Fast Recovering From
Mistakes of the Past.
Washington Dispatch. Jan. 81.

AAAOo oSS ANCSOSCihA 'OAA
Mistakes of the Past.
Washington Dispatch. Jan. 81.
In no section of the country
probably has there been a more
wonderful advancement in agri-
culture within the past ten or
twelve years than in the South.
Favored, as it is, with a soil as
fertile in many places as is the
valley of the Nile and with the
introduction of practical scientif-
ic methods, the belief is express
ed by officials Of the Department
of Agriculture that the Southland
is bound to take that place in
agricultural development she
merits.
A spirit of re-awakening is
coming over the Southern far
mer. The agricultural PROCESS
in the South has been marked by
a material prosperity such as,
perhaps, has never before been
enjoyed by the farming element
of that part of the country. The
financial condition of the South
ern planter began to take an up
ward tendency about 1897, since
which time the situation has
steadily improved. The produc-
ton of cotton that great staple
crop of the South-increased So
per cent. from 1896 to 1908, and
the value of the crop 1873 per
cent. The Southern farmer, long
debt-ridden, has to a marked de-
gree been again placed on his
feet as it were by the increase
prices he has received for his
cotton crop of late years. AS a
natural consequence he is devot-
ing more time and attention to
building himself a better home,
to the education of his children
and, he is in fact, deriving more
of the comforts of life than ever
before.
The agricultural progress of the
South really dates back to a few
years ago when the Agricultural
Department inaugurated an edu-
cational campaingn for a diversi-
fication in the crops. The ap-
plication of practical scientific
methods to Southern agriculture
in the opinion of Secretary Will
son has done more to uplift land
than any other factor. King
Cotton until recent years, practi-
cally was the one great crop of
the South-the farmer devoted
little or no attention to other
crops. But the advent of the
cotton boil weevil-that little in
sect pest from Nexico-because
of the devastation it left in its
lightning-like spread over the
South, has brought the farmer tc
a realization that he must raise
other crops. Now, through the
educational propaganda conduct.
ed by the Investigation of crops,
the Southern farmer is accom-.
plishing notable results.
Officials of the Department Of
Agriculture believe that the ad
vent of the weevil was in eality
a sort of blessing to the South
While it was disastrous in it's eff
feet upon that great staple crop
it at the same time made the
farmer realize that he must NO
devote all of his land to cotton,
but must depend to a consider
able extent on other crops. The
South was quick to absorb the
scientific knowledge so freely
given by theFederal government
and is rapidly recovering from
past mistakes. Secretary Wilson
is great believer in the dotrin,
that the foundation of this ma
tons prosperity is an enlighten'
ed agriculture.
Il am happy to have an oppor
tunlty to express through the AS
ISOLATED Press, said Secretar!
Wilson today, "the Agriculture
Departments good will TOWARD
the South and it's desire to foste.
in every way the agriculture
prosperity of that great and ia
vored region. / have always ia
ken great interest in the agri
culture of the South, not onl,
because of it's extremely inter
esting possibilities, but because
have felt a keen sympathy with E:
people struggling bravely to over
come the results of a devastating
war.I felt that they needed sucl
help The Department coul(
give them, and l have lent a will
ling ear to their appeals. 1t i.
very gratifying to me to see tn,
cordial spirit of appreciation
manifested by the people of the
South for the work the Depart
ment is trying to do.
Under Professor w. ]. Spill
man, of the Bureau of Plant In
dustry, who has charge of the
farm management investigation.
In the South, much has been don,
to encourage better systems O.
farm management, looking to tn,
restoration of fertility, the bring
ing back of humus into the soil,
and the suggestions of improve
rotations.
One of the most importan
methods adopted in fighting tn,
cotton boil weevil'', said Profes.
sor Spillman today, lis the di
versification of crops and the in.
trodu ction of new crops. Sine,
the farmers have begun to real
lie that the weevil will in a few
years spread over the entire cot.
ton belt, they have become in
tereSted in other cronc oc tho,