The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-12-17

only continue TO produce the greater
portion of the worlds supply of cot
ton and the vast amount Of trucking
crops for the northern market, but
will produce all the corn, wheat asd
meats and other important farm pro-
ducts that it consumes" Such is the
statement made by him in discussing
southern agriculture, its past and
present condition and future pros
poets.
DUNG the past fifteen years, under
the direction OF the secretary, the
department of agriculture has spent
millions of dollars in the south Thou
sands of experts and scientists from
the department have been working
under his direction in not only every
southern state but in every county in
| that section in educating the farmers
| in improved and scientific methods
/ of farming, showing them what crops
! the different soils are best adapted
to, and how local markets could be
supplied with all of the farm prod
ucts they consume.
Diversified Crops.
During the sixteen years that |
( have been secretary of agriculture
most earnest efforts have been made
by the department TO put agricultural
conditions in the south where the
farmers not Cnly would produce a
maximum yield OF cotton, but produce
corn, wheat, oats, potatoes and all
kinds of vegetables to supply the de-
mands of the home markets, and SUI
ficient amonnt of cattle, hogs, poul-
try, eggs, butter and cheese to SUD
ply the needs for local consumption,
continued the secretary, instead as
has been the case to rely upon the
outside markets for a great amount
o. these products"
Variety of Soils
"lnvestigations of soil conditions by
! experts of the bureau Of soils in ey-
cry state and section Of the south
show that the soils are adapted to
the profitable production of nearly ey-
cry crop. This mistaken impression
seems TO have prevailed in some quar-
ters that little of the southern soil is
capable of producing a sufficient
amount of forage crops for grazing pur-
poses Investigations made by soil
experts prove not only to the con-
trary but that even the thin, sandy
soils of the coastal plain sections and
the shallow rough types of the Pied
mont section can produce Bermuda
grass as well as other grasses and
| a great variety OF forage crops suf-
flcient for he raising of cattle
Making Progress.
1T is of common knowledge that
the south depends upon the outside
markets for great supply of its
meats. great amount of lard but
ter. eggs, poultry and cheese also
come from distant markets. There
is ample uncutivated territory in the
south to produce all these products
in a sufficient amount to supply all
! 70 M A
amount of potatoes, cabbage and
! fruits are imported. This should not
be and will not be the case very much
longer. II the southern farmer would
cultivate grasses for pasturing he
would not only be able to raise
enough cattle to supply the demands
Of the home markets, but could read
lily and profitably produce a supply
for shipment to outside markets.
Progressive People.
"The south is growing. the coun-
try is fertile, the people are apt ana
progressive. ard deserve great credit
for the things they have accomplish
ed in agricultural and manufacturing
lines. to say nothing of social ac-
complishments. The soils are pro-
ductive and adapted to a great variety
CT crops: the climate is good AMI
long growing seasons prevail. Lands
are cheap AMI predict that within a
few years it will not only be producing
all of the agricultural products con
sumed by 'is people, but will be n
great manufacturing center and a
greater power in the national and for
eign affairs
Southwest Texas Soils.
The department of agriculture has
issued a report of the reconnaissance
soil survey of Southwest Texas made