The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1910-08-03
SOUTH'S UNIMPROVED LANDS
A VAST AREA OF VIRGIN ACRES
IN SIXTEEN STATES.
612,OOO,OOO UndeVeIOped Acres Show
Enormous Possibilities. Govern
ment May Drain Swamps.

ment May Drain Swamps.
WASHINGTON, D. C.-The vast
agricultural resources of the south,
especially along the line of vegeta-
BILE gardening for the northern mar
kets, have been set forth in the re-
suits of recent work done by the Blu
reau of Soils, under the direction of
the secretary of agriculture. This
bureau has just completed an ex-
haustive investigation of the soils of
more than thirty million acres in the
Atlantic and Gulf states. The soils
investigated were those especially
adapted under extensive culture to
early fresh vegetables, of which
these states have a clear monopoly
in the northern markets from jan
uary until the last of June. When
it is realized that the south must
supply vegetables for more than two
thirds of the United States for more
than half the year the enormous pos
sibilities of this industry can be ap-
pTeciated.
The Investigations showed that
about Z per cent. of the acreage men !
toned is capable of yielding far
more per acre under scientific and |
up-to-date methods than by the hit I
and-miss farming so commonly in I
vogue among the southern truck .
farmers. OF the vast area only l.
100000 acres are incapable of be-
ing probably farmed; these, how
ever, may be put in profitable for
ests. Nearly four million acres are
especially adapted to early and ex-
ira early vegetables, especially tur
nips, radishes, lettuce, peas, string
beans, Irish potatoes, beets cucum
bers, watermelons and cantaloupes. {
Use For UnimprOved Lands.
Nearly three million acres are we'll
suited for early crops of the same 4
varieties maturing about two weeks
later, especially to early squash, {
toes, lima beans, spinach and cab
bage. Four and half million acres {
are of a sandy loan adapted to veg {
etables which mature for market at +
medium period and on which the
lightest type of general farming {
comes in with early crops and light !
yields.
Ten million acres constitute a fine,
sandy loan which may be used profit !
ably for vegetables for medium late {
spring market and a light type of
general farming There are one and
a half million acres of loan, the best
general purposes soil, adapted to veg
etables for the late spring market.
These are The last that can be served
in a fresh state from this territory,
holding a monopoly in the northern
market More than two million
acres are classified as silt loan, we'll
fitted to canning crops and heavy
general farming, with about equal
adaptions to wheat and grass. Four
million acres of clay adapted to heavy
farming and epsilage forage crops
make up the remainder.
$4,000, 900 Georgia Acres Virgin.
In the sixteen former slave states,
including oklahoma there are 145,-
100000 acres planted to general
crops. There are more than 612,-
600, 900 acres of unimproved land in
these states. Texas has 1877 ,00O,0 900
acres virgin land, though much of
it is used for grazing. Florida has
more than $4,000 acres of as
rich land as any in the world, now
classed as worthless Everglades. "
These are being rapidly reclaimed.
Alabama has 33, 100000 acres not
utilized, and Arkansas as much.
Louisiana has 30,00O,00O acres of
swamps, which, if drained, would
rival the fairness of the Nile valley.
There are in Mississippi more than
10000, 900 acres now awaiting the
thrifty immigrant, and Missouri has
100000 also awaiting the plough,