The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-09-02
SOTTH's COTTON CROP.
Last Years Crop Estimated at $751;
O90,OOO-Falue of Intensive,
Scientific Methods.

OF the South's cotton crop, the South
and stock raising, and other subjects
are Interestingly discussed in the
current issue of the Southern Field.
printed today.
People outside the Southern States
frequently do not realize the import
ance Of the cotton crop Of the South
to the country nor its value to the
growers of the staple. Much has been
said about the mistake of the one crop
system Of the South, and there is
very general impression that to
large number Of Southern farmers the
growing of cotton has brought power
ty. This impression, unfortunately,
has TOO much foundation. 1t IS not
because cotton is poor crop, put
because the farmers have pursued un-
wise methods and have failed to grow
the other crops for which their lands
are suited. This fact has made many
people think that the South offered
little to farmers from other sections
save cotton growing, and cotton grow
ing was not, as rule, a paying crop.
The fact is that it is not only the
greatest cash crop of the country, but
for trc man who will pursue proper
methods, diversifying enough to keep
up the fertility Of his land and pro-
duce his own forage and food, one Of
the most profitable crops the farmer
can grow One-siXth or one-third OF
a bale to an acre, raised on soil not
especially adapted to cotton, and
which should be put to other uses,
grown mainly from the fertilizer which
the inadequate ploughing and cultlVa-
ton makes necessary, is not paying
crop. But with the proper methods
of cultivation one to two bales OF cot
ton to the acre can be grown, and
such crops at even 10 cents a pound
give returns of $50 to S100 an acre
and at little more cost, except for
picking than the usual farm crops OF
the North.
In the whole country the value of
last years cotton crop as estimated
by the census bureau was SS12,09O,000.
in these States was 15,459,133 and
Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina and Tennessee it was
S483,60O,000. The acreage of the crop
the farm value of the crop
per acre was over 1922. These fig
ures show how important a place the
crop plays in American agriculture.
That it is to play even more import
ant place in the future, when the cot
ton grower shall devote a portion of
his lands to other crops, and will then
prove even much more profitable, is
certain.
The South and Stock Raising.
The man of the North who knows
how to raise live stock owes it to
himself to study the conditions sur
rounding that industry in the South,
and especially in the Southeastern
States. This is so because there is
demand in the United States for more
live stock, for better live stock, and
greatly increased meat supply to
keep pace with the demands of a
growing population. The beef and
mutton supply of the future, as well
as the pork supply, must come from
the farms and not from the ranges. In
the South there is today more avail
able land for stock farmers, and for
the general farmer who knows that his
best success comes from the raising
of stock, as we'll as the crops which
come directly from the soil, than in
any other section. In the Southeast
ern States there are large areas of
farm and other land which can be had
Tor a few dollars an acre which are
entirely adapted to the best success
in stock raising.
The Southeast is a section which
has advantages for stock not eXcelled
anywhere. Some people think its long,
warm summers are against good live
Stock. That is an erroneous impress
sion. In practically every portion OF
the Southeast the climate is distinct
advantage. The pure water. the high
ground, the long grazing period, the
fact that stock does not have to be
kept in close quarters for. so many
weeks every year as in the Northwest
are great factors in producing the
healthiest of cattle, sheep, hogs and /
horses.
The country which aspires to be
live stock producer must be able to