Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-09-30
SMALL FARMS BEST FOR SUMTEE
AND THE SOUTH.

Considerable attention has been
awakened by the trend that is being
shown in several Southern states, and
more particularly, it is stated, in the
Carolfnas and Georgia, to the division
Of large farms into smaller ones, and
the taking up of smaller areas than
heretofore the custom by incoming
farmers. This has been shown in
Sumter county, as are all aware, in 4
number of instances, particularly in
the past two or three years, not only
the large De Soto plantation, but sew
eral farms of $50 to 500 acres having
been disposed of in smaller acreages,
providing homes for a number of fam
lilies where but a few heretofore had
lived The result is also seen, as is
apparent in passing through the De
Soto plantation, or along the roads
where the other farms have been sub
divided. in a much higher degree Of
cultivation and proportionate results
in paying crops.
That this movement will continue
there is hardly any doubt. The in
creasing difficulty experienced all
owe the South in securing labor will
doubtless materially assist it. Then
the fac that an acre highly cultivated
pays far better than two or three
meagrely cultivated is an object lesson
that farmers are not apt to miss. The
steady upward movement of land val
ues also is a potent factor in sub-divid-
ing the larger places. 1t is becoming
much greater financial proposition
than in former years to carry on large
farming operations, and the inevitable
result is this movement toward the
smaller farm. When land gets worth
from $50 to $3.50 an acre it represents
a considerable outlay Of capital to get
even a small farm, let alone one of the
old time proportions.
Discussing this phase in the evolu-
tton of Southern agriculture a writer
III Washington, who has had access to
government reports on the matter,
says that:
1T is significant, however, that
-, h.
greatest crop yields are made on small
or limited acreage. There are reports
every year of one bale and over Of
cotton, 100 to 200 bushels of corn, so
to 100 bushels of oats, $50 to 400 bush
els of SWEET potatoes, and profits of $50
ito $1,000 an acre from truck-celery,
asparagus, cabbage cucumbers, spin
ach, onions, tomatoes and other COM
mercial vegetables-in these South
eastern states. These great yields and
profits are made from one acre, five
acres, ten to twenty-five acres, almost
| invariably. And it can easily be
| shown that the smaller the farm the
/ greater the margin of profit and the
| greater the yield per acre. The reason
/ AOI ILilo * pam TIC loA Incl VIM Ndl
see both sides of his farm at the same
| time knows the condition of the
whole of it; can master the study of
| its soils; knows their possibilities and
their limitations, can practice inten-
sive methods, and cultivate his acres
far more thoroughly and with far bet
tier results than is possible with the
farm of even 100 acres.
There is another and very great ad-
vantage to the state, to the county, and
to the individual farmer in the division
of great holdings and their cultivation
by many instead of by one or a few
A farm of 1000 acres owned by one
individual, is an obstacle to settle.
ment. It's repetition in any county
makes a scattered community anC
makes the forming of a compact neigh.
borhood impossible.
The division of great areas into
small farms invites small farmers t
that section. 1t promotes and makes
more rapid the settlement of the coun
| try by thrifty and desirable citizens
1t has other results-taxes are bette,
! distributed, revenue is increased, land!
advance in value and are more anC
more in demand"