Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-08-26
GE0RGIA'S INCREASED CORN
ACREAGE

announcement from the agricultural
department that the states corn acre
age for 1913 exceeds that of the pre-
ceding year by more than six hundred
and seventy-eight thousand acres. The
hopeful significance of this record goes
further than the farm; it reaches ev-
cry sphere of industry and commerce
and foretells a time of richer prosper
| ity for the peoples common interests.
There were cultivated in Georgia
and eighty-three thousand and sixty
one acres of corn; this year four mill
lion siXty-one thousand four hundred
and twelve acres have been planted
The difference is not to be reckoned in
bushels and dollars alone, though in
that respect its Importance is far
reaching but chiefly in the larger ideas
and the quickening progress which are
thus revealed. Georgias production Of
corn when measured by that of the
country at large or by her own needs
and possibilities is still lamentably
small. But the notable and cheering
fact is that within a tweIvemonth she
has moved splendidly forward. Her
farmers have caught the message of a
new gospel Of agriculture and living
forth it's truth.
The effect of an increased corn acre,
age on the states economic welfare
can scarcely be overgauged, either in
extent or in variety. 1t has been esti-
mated that Georgia lacks more than
thirty-seven million dollars annually
of making enough money out of the
cotton crop to pay for the food supplies
imported from distant quarters. Last
| year alone our people spent something
| like a hundred and seventy million
dollars for corn, hay, oats, meat and
other necessaries that could be raised
easily and cheaply at home This con-
dition of affairs presents a very vital
problem. 1t means that the state is
agriculturally dependent whereas bV
every natural circumstance it should
be free and self-sustaining. 1t means
that we may buy more than we sell,
that we are living far above our in
come, yet far below our resources.
! There is but one way out of such
difficulty and that lies in producing a
home those great food staples which
We now purchase abroad.
The production of corn is especially
needful because this product is the
basis of many activities that must be
fostered before the state attains it's due
measure of thrift and self reliance
Until Georgia raises an adequate SUP
) ply of corn, oats, hay and forage, she
can offer but scant encouragement to
the livestock industry which, as every
one realizes, must be developed. We
are now short some forty-eight million
dollars worth of corn each year with
comparatively few animals to feed.
What great increase, then must there
be in the production of corn, if stock
raising is to have a chance! The
state of Iowa whose area is about the
same as Georgia's and whose soil ana
climate are no more advantageous than
ours, if as much so, is producing an
average of thirty-six bushels of corn
to the acre and at the same time SELL
ing annually two hundred million dol
lars worth of animal products.
Evidently, therefore, upon an increase
in Georgia's corn yield depends the
progress of divers other enterprises
that will add to the states wealth, re
duce the cost of living, develop our
natural resources and usher in new
era of freedom and prosperity. Hence
the announcement that some six huh
dred and seventy-eight thousand more
acres of corn are under cultivation