Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-09
PART II.


Better farming Is being practiced
throughout the south. Manufacturers Of
Agricultural implements now regard this
territory as one OF the most promising
in the United States and their faith is
well founded as the census figures viii
abundantly show. The day OF the Boy
Dixie plow and the little tow-headed
mule Is rapidly passing. The twO-horse
pl0w is taking the place OF this ineffect-
I've implement. In many instances
three-horse plows are being used and
II Is not uncommon to ind -four big
mules attached 70 some OF the deep
filling implements which our most pro-
greSslve farmers are now using. Plow-
ing with gasoline Is becoming quite
common IN many localities. NATURALLY,
the soll Is now being broken 20 a depth
OF u inches in many instances. and
frequently subsoiled 20 a depth OF six
inches below this point Il then becomes
capable OF holding the greater part Of
the abundant and uniform rainfall which
characterizes the south. Thus. drought
periods are becoming less destructive
while washing and erosion are being
lessened The ability OF the plant to
range through the soil and gather an
abundance OF food and water is greatly
facilitated by better preparation and
cultivati ton. and thus our whole agricul-
turaI economy Is being changed as the
result OF an increasing use OF the better
types OF farm implements. The rapid
introduction OF Iabor-saving devices Is
doing much TO solve the labor situation
for from four to SIX mules are now
frequently worked BY one man In the
place OF five or six men as was the
case q generation ago. So much more
Is now known and appreciated about
So hair NJ
and general use in supplying the soil
with the elements IN which II is most
markedly deficient Is resulting In In
creased yields OF not only corn and cot
ton. but truck and other farm crops as
well
with the employment OF large plows
has come an increased interest in live
stock husbandry. for II Is evident that
more power IN the collar win be neces-
sary TO pursue the type OF farming
which has now been demonstrated TO be
the most profitable. In one southern
state more than 30 Percheron mares
have been introduced In the last few
months. the intention OF the owners being
20 raise additional mares until a large
enough number OF breeding animals have
been secured TO justify their use in
raising mules. Presently these farm
'ers win not be under the necessity Of
sending $50 to 500 out OF the south 70
buy an animal which they can bring
10 a workable age at a cost OF from
SO to $50. The eradication OF the cattle
tick is being prosecuted with vigor In
many sections OF the south. and as
result there is a growing interest in
dairy enterprises and In the utilization
of waste land for beef raising. IL has
been shown BY 30 many experiments that
yard manure is one Of the best materials
for renewing the vig0r Of southern lands
that farmers are now fully awakened to
the Importance OF this matter and are
striving to develop live stock indus
tries in some measure commensurate
with the needs OF the situation.
For years the south was noted chiefly
for the growth OF a single crop-that OF
cotton. and in fact the tendency IN this
direction Is altogether too strongly
marked at the present time: but as the
facts recited in this paper indicate. this
difficulty Is being overcome, and much
greater attention Is now being given
to the cultivation OF corn than was ever
accorded TO this crop IN the past But
attention Is not being centered on corn
alone. as there is q distinct diversii-
cation in practice all along the line. as
witnessed By the variety Of crops now
grown and shipped in such abundance
reputation. Who Is not familiar with
the citrus fruits OF Florida which are
annually being marketed in greater va
risty and perfection; with the luscious
ness OF the Georgia peach and water
melon with the splendid qualities OF
the apples OF Virginia, Tennessee. GeOr-
gia and Kentucky; with the sugar cane
and rice OF Louisiana and Texas: and
with the splendid horses. mules and cat
tie OF Texas Kentucky. Tennessee and
Virginia In no section OF the world
comprising an equal area can so great
a variety OF crops be grown in per-
lection. and the south is rapidly COM
ing 70 a realization OF the Importance or
this fact The cultivation Of every one
or the crops mentioned may still be re-
garded as an infant industry and viii
undoubtedly be greatly extended in the
next few years because OF discriminate
ing markets developing at home and in
other sections OF the country as well.
The tendency to diversification Is also
being stimulated b. the relatively large
increase in urban as compared with
rural population throughout the United
states.
EXPANSION OF HOME MARKETS.
Many forms Of agricultural practice
In the south languished for years as the
result Of competition with the rich,
fresh and highly productive lands OF the
middle west At that day a compare
lively sparse population occupied these
virgin soils Within the past fifty years
great consuming centers have been de-
ve1oped throughout not only the middle
west but in the south and east as well.
with the dividing up OF farms in the
middle west and their depletion in fer
tility the problem in that section has
become one OF supplying the local mar
kets. There Is undoubtedly at the
uresent time a dearth Of beef-producing
animals Good milk and butter are not
being made in sufficient quantities TO
meet the market demand. The west no
1orxer has an unlimited supply OF corn
Tor expectation TO other sections Of the
country, while the wheat fields are de-
irreasing so In yield as 10 menace the
nations supply OF bread These things
are exerting. and will exert in the next
few years. a marvellous influence on the
erowth OF agricultural Industries in the
south. for there is a vast territory re-
kponsive 10 the touch OF human energy
Ar the Piedmont region capable OF grow
ing al the crops for which the west is
celebrated. not only in abundance but
with profit 20 the owner as well In the
foothills OF the Appalachian mountains
and in the coastal plains area there are
millions OF acres Of land forming an
ideal range for all classes OF live stock.
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