Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-10-17

I clance 10 observe the Work carried OF
UP to the present time realize that Ii
/ is exerting a most wholesome effect on
these young people. and that it is doing
more to bring the home and the school
in closer touch than anything which has
yet been undertaken in connection with
the schools.
The Corn club contests are now In
progress in many parts of Georgia, and
IL will pay any one who has the time
and opportunity to do so to visit one OF
these corn fairs and see just what the
youngsters have done in the way Of pro-
ducing not only a fine sample Of market
able corn. but in securing large yields at
a moderate cost. In fact. the boys have
blazed the way for the movement of the
corn belt southwark. for they entered
these contests without fear or prejudice
and gladly availed themselves of the best
information and advice they could secure
relative to soil preparation, and the use
OF fertilizers and improved implements
for cultivating the land. As, a result
they are securing some quite surprising
Yields. Just what the largest yield OBJ
tanned will be is still matter of specula-
ton. but in spite of the very unfavorabls
season no doubt many boys will still
make 100 bushels and upwards sof'>corn
per acre
AS soon as the county, fairs are held,
the winning exhibits ara to be shipped
TO the State fair and TO other contests
which have been arranged for. A long
list Of splendid premiums have been
offered for the boys who excel IN the
production of corn. The exhibits will oe
judged on the following basis, AMI every
boy should bear these facts in mind. the
corn when in a marketable condition is
to be shucked and measured by barrel
or basket. Then three measures are to be
shelled and sweighed, and this average
weight multiplied by the number of
measurements. Two disinterested parties
must attest 10 the yield. In awarding
prizes the following method of Judgment
will be followed: Yield per acre, 80 per
cent; pront. 80 per cent; best exhibit, 10
ears, 20 per cent; best written report. 20
PEI cent
In addition to the many county con-
tests, and there will be practically one
in each of the IS counties where the
work is I'm progress. other contests will
be held at the following points; State
fair, Macon. October 10 to 20; Seventh
congressional district. Gainesville, No
vember / to 4; Corn carnival. Augusta,
November to II: Southern Corn show,
Atlanta, November q 10 "a; Northeast
Georgia contest in cooperation with poul-
try show. Athens, December / and p;
Eighth congressional district. State Col
lege of Agriculture. Athens, Ga. Deem
Der ! and 2; National contest, State
College of Agriculture, Athens, December
and 2: Central OF Georgia contest, State
CoiIege of Agriculture, Athens, December
and 2: Girls Canning Club contest.
State college of Agriculture, Athens De-
cember ! and 3
A detailed premium list has been print
ed and will be mailed free 10 any boy
or girl who desires TO enter one OF the
contests The boys and girls should con-
suit with their county School commits
sioners- and their teachers relative to
all Of these matters. The premiums
offered In the various contests amount
TO several thousand dollars. The work
has been organized for the purpose of
inspiring and redirecting the effort Of
the school and making il a vital means
OF placing in the homes information
which is calculated to revolutionize sour
agricultural practice. The cooperation
and interest of every citizen in this
good work is expected. and will no doubt
be cheerTully given. The future develop
ment Of Georgia along agricultural lines
win be systematically and successfully
promoted through the agency of these
boys and girls. who are so soon to have
the reins OF government placed in their
agement You viii not only benefit your
self. but inspire the boys and girls
and at The same time serve your state
TO the best possible advantage.
WANTS INFORMATION ABOUT DOC
LY COUNTY.
c. r.. Burnside, KY, writes: With a
view OF locating in Georgia, I am writ
ing for information regarding Dooly
county. What kind of soil and subsoil
has the locality7 In what fertilizing ele-
ments is the soil deficient? Has the soil
lime enough in IL TO grow alfalfa? What
crops are adapted TO that locality? Is
it suitable for general farming?
The soils of Dooly county consist part
ly of what is known technically as Alta
maha grit. and partly of Vicksburg-
Jackson limestone formations. The Alta
maha grit, as the name indicates con-
sists largely OF sand with an admixture
of clay. In some instances the sand and
clay. are mixed with water-worn peb-
bles. The lower beds of this formation
consist chiefly Of clay. and as the whole
is underlaid by LIMESTONE, these soils
sometimes become more or less cal
careous is nature The vicksburg
formation consists chiefly of limestone
top soil is made up of hard and soft
limestone, mixed with more or less sill
ica and ebert The lower members con-
tain clay and sand. The limestone for
nation referred TO Is found chiefly in
the northwestern part of the county. the
Altamaha grit cropping out more ex-
tensively in the south and eastern por-
ton.
You will thus see that quite varied soils
are found within the borders of this
county. No analysis of the soils of Dooly
county have been made as yet. Some OF
the nearby counties however, where the
Altamaha formation predominates are
rather low in nitrogen, phosphorus and
lime. Some of them are also low in pot
ash.N A good deal of variation is shown
in the composition and character of these
soils. depending on the method of farm
ing which has been pursued and the pres
ence or absence of suitable crop rota-
tons. The soils of the Altamaha region
are apparently quite deficient in lime.
and II one hopes to grow alfalfa sue
cessfully on these lands, II would be
necessary to apply lime very literally.