Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-01-21


In this weeks issue we print the bal
ance of the letters selected from those
submitted for The Semi-weekly Journals
prize contest for farmers. Announcement
is also made of the winners in this con-
test Much interest was evidenced in
uasse prizes, some 50 letters having been
received for consideration. The wide
spread interest in better methods of
farming is most encouraging and COM
mendable, and the appreciation shown
OF live stock as a means Of improving
the soil and aiding I'm the maintenance or
fertility indicates that the farmers are
thinking along the right line, and that
we may anticipate considerable expan-
sion Of the live stock industry within the
next few years. IL is significant that so
many should write emphasizing the inn
portance of supplying vegetable matter to
the soil. The most crying need Of south
ern agriculture today Is more humus in
the land. II is a fatal mistake to con-
tinue TO increase from year to year the
use Of commercial fertilizers without in
creasing the supply of vegetable matter.
There must be something in the soil to
aid the growth OF bacteria and to insure
holding the water which falls as rain
We must also improve the mechanical
condition of the land, and nothing but
vegetable matter applied either in the
form OF compost. yard manure or green
crops will result in the correct solution
Of this problem. 1t Is interesting to see
how many farmers have come to realize
the Importance of utilizing leaves and
other litter which accumulates around
the farm Since we have but little straw
from cereals 10 use as bedding, leaves
may be made TO take the place of ii to
a large extent. and the stores of farm
yard manure greatly increased as re-
suit II is gratifying TO seq that empha-
sis IS laid on seed selection. on deep and
thorough cultivation. on fall blowing,
and on the necessity for exercising econ
omy and discretion in the management or
the farm.
Letters have been received on a great
variety of topics. Some are interested
in poultry raising. some in dairying and
stock farming. and some in cotton and
corn growing. To all we would say. d.
versIfy: do not put all your eggs for 1910
In one basket. The present high price of
cotton shOUld not be permitted to over
shadow the saner judgment Of our farm
ers. Do not devote all your land TO cot
ton. Remember that living at home is
half the battle Grow more corn, raise
the foodstuffs for your live stock, and
diversity your crops. You can thus econ
omize on your fertilizer bills. and have
more money next fall even IL you devote
but a small area of your farm TO cotton.
Nineteen ten ought TO be the most pros
porous and successful year In the history
OF southern agriculture, provided our
farmers will not forget the lessons learn
ed at such great cost I'm recent years.
II has been difficult to choose the sue
cessful competitors. There has hardly
been a letter received that did not con-
tain some helpful suggestion. II has
been impossible. however. to print many
Of them. and those whose letters have
not appeared should not be discouraged,
but should try again. and should remem-
Der that patience and perseverance are
the only means by which success may be
achieved. The winners have been chosen
after calm elaboration. and have, in the
judgment of the editor, said the most
that was OF vital Importance to the prog
ress OF our agriculture in the limited
number Of words which they were per
mitted to use
Though the contest Is over. the editor
hopes that any who have suggestions to
offer which win make the agricultural
columns OF the paper more valuable to
our readers viii send them I'm. We try
TO answer every week the pertinent ques-
tiOns OF our correspondents The agricul-
tural department can be made more help
full IL we are able to have from time to
time some OF the best thoughts of the