The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1911-04-27
INTENSIVE FARMING.

What Can Be Done on a TWenty-Ace Farm IN the South. i
The colonial idea in the South was that 1t required l,OO0I
acres to make a good plantations, and 1000 acres to make
rich planter. These figures have dwindled down through
the decadal periods, until now it is not only possible to
grow rich in that region on a 100-acre farm, but on a one
horse farm or a one-mule farm, thrifty farmers may easily
support a family and have something left at the end of the
yearf or a neat bank account. That is not a theoretlcall
idea but a fact demonstrated on just such a limited tract
in a number of instances along the Southern railway. For
the encouragement of small farmers who have heretofore
failed, and, probably still are failing to make both ends
meet, because they are, unhappy located in the wrong place
for small farmers, we give some instances which must be
convincing without further proof.
A Virginia farm of 81 acres yielded $1067 in cash, net
pfone IN one year, It produ Seodl N tnat flm e. L991 ousngls
cabbage sold for $3.50; milk and butter from four cows
bringing $40; other products-seed, corn, asparagus, hon
ey, and stock sold, adding to the gross receipts in all ST.
387. For labor, fertilizers, feed for stock, and an allowance
for interest on the land investments taxes, repairs; and waste
was deduced 1920. In the meantime the owner had support
ed his family comfortably, and his land, by careful cultiva-I
ton, had advanced in value.
Further South, a farmer produced % bales of cotton on
19 acres. Including seed, the crop brought him $4,000.
.Deducting cost of labor, feed for one mule, fertilizer, seed,
repairs, interest and incidentalse estimated at $8OO,his net
profits for one year were $4,000.
In this case the planter received an unusually high price
for his cotton seed-$3 per bushel.
A Catawba, N. G. farmer, raising hogs on 25 acres, di-
vided the land into four fields, rotating with cowpeas, sorg-
hum cane, and clover for forage, and corn for feed from the
ear. His stock were of good strain; his methods up-to-date,
and his land was subjected to intelligent and careful treat
ment, enhancing its value by making it twice as FERTILE and
productive as when he began, only a few years ago, to raise
swine for profit. His clear profit for the year was $1,000.
Others, and they are not few, have purchased small tract
in the Southern Railway districts the southeast, and have
done about as those above cited, and now, with lands finely
cultivated and worth several times more than they cost,
they are independent and prosperous.
Lands in hundreds of fine localities in the territory en-
bracing the Southern railway lines can be purchased at ex
ceedingly low rates, and can be made as productive by a
few years proper tlllage as lands in their vicinity under a
high state of cultivation now and valued at many times the
price of these adjacent and uncultivated tracts. There is
room for thousands of Northern farmers who would change
to better locations, opportunities which they can nowhere
else find; and possibilities in the soil of these Southeastern
sections passing all expectations.
The Land and Industrial Department of the Southern
Railway will furnish lists of many places desirably situat
ed for sale in the Southeast, and will promptly answer in
quires concerning them-Southern Field.