Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-11-14

six hundred thousand sheep and
goats. 1t is demonstrating that un-
der systematic management the
grazing value of land can be re-
stored and increased and can pro-
duce heavier animals even with an
increased number, and that under
proper management the range can
be improved faster in use than in
idleness.
But unquestiOnably the largest
hope for considerable increase in
our meat supply lies in three other
directions: First, in systematic at
tenion to the production Of larger
animals in the settled farming areas
of the country, especially in the
South. Second, in increasing atten-
ton to the SMALLER animals, such as
swine and poultry, and Third, in the
control and eradication of cattle
ticks and hog cholera.
Animals and the Average Farmer.
There is no question that the
average farmer in the settled areas
of the nation generally can produce
greater number Of the larger ami
mails, principally as by-products, to
the betterment Of his farm economy.
and without great increase In ex.
pense, and that the farmer In the
South in this respect enjoys unusual
opportunities. And it is further
apparent that the farmers every
where in the existing state Of know
ledge can largely increase the sup
ply Of swine and poultry products
which constitute a large and increas-
ing part Of the consumption of the
average family, the annual value Of
the latter alone aggregating half
"a billion dollars, or so per cent of
the aggregate value Of the cotton
produced in the nation. The last
census shows lamentable neglect
Of live stock in the South.
While the average Iowa farm has
six milk cows, in North Carolina
and Alabama it has less than two,
and in South Carolina one. While
the average Iowa farm has S5 hogs.
in North Carolina and Alabama, Il
has less than 5, South Carolina less
than 4.
And while the average farm in
Iowa has more than 1903 poultry, In
North Carolina and Alabama, It has
less than 20, and in South Carolina
less than IT. A weIl trained In
vestigator has recently said that the
average farm homo in Georgia pro-
duces less than eggs week, less
than 2-S Of an ounce Of butter. and
2-3 Of pint OF milk day, and
l-S Of a hog, 1-12 Of beef, and
1-100 Of sheep per year per per-
son, and that the cotton crop OF the
State does noS even approximately
pay Its food and feed bill. No
southern State is giving tho requi-t
site attention either to the produo-
ton of foodstuffs for human beings
or for live stock.
A conservative estimate indlcates
that Texas Imports from other
States annually more than $50, ,O0O-
900 worth Of wheat, corn and oats;
Georgia more than $4,000, 900;
South Carolina more than 100000
900; and Ia southern States more
than S175,000,O 900 and 5000, 900
worth Of meats, dairy and poultry
products. II may be admitted that
most Of these States should not un-
dortake the production Of these
commodities for foreign or inter-
state shipment in competition with
the great States Of tho Middle West,
but every student must recognize tho
unwlsdom Of their failure to pro-
duce enough OF these things for the
consumption of their people and for
the laying Of the foundation Of a
prosperous live stock development.
Single Crop Evil.
Too exclusive devotion to q single
crop anywhere 10 unwiso in normal
times, and Is q peril In times OF dis
turbanco. II Is bound to produce
just such a catastrophe as has be-
fallen tho South in the present
emergency, II prevents the full
utilization Of land and labor, falla
to fill the gaps In tho work sehed-
ules, and furnishes no reserve.