Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-09-23
DIVERSITY CROPS
 IS ADVICE GIVEN
Food Products Will Remain High and Cotton Low If
 War Continues.

Bradford Knapp, special agent III charge of farmers cooperative dem onstration work of the department of agriculture, has issued the following letter to cotton farmers:
 In every emergency plan of ac- tion is a great help. The price of food products are high and there is every indication that they will remain so during the next year. The war in Europe has disturbed production abroad and has interfered with con- sumption and with markets and fnan- cial conditions in this county. This state of affairs, familiar to everyone, makes it imperative that every farmer and every community should plan for next years work accordingly.
 The department suggests to the cotton farmers the following import ant things to consider for the next year:
 1. A Home Garden for Every Fami- ly: The home garden is one of the most important means of cutting down expenses and producing the liy- ing of the family. on the farm. Set aside good rich piece of land near the house for this furpose.i Prepare it with 'extra care and apply manure liberally. Secure from your county agent, your agricultural college or the United States department of agricul- ture, directions for the making of a garden not only in the summer but early and late in the year. Proper attention to the garden will give the farmer wholesome food during large portion of the year. Get in touch with the Girls Canning club work and ar range to can the vegetables and fruits for winter use.
 2. Produce All the Corn for Your Own Use: Get good seed corn and follow the instructions of your coun- ty agent in raising a good crop next year. Figure how many bushels you will need for your own use and some to sell, and put your acreage in ac- cordingly. You will need corn for the feeding of your livestock and your family, and a reasonable surplus.
 3. Produce Your Own Hay and For age: If you can obtain seed at req sonable price, SOW crimson or bur clover, vetch, or some other winter legume. If unable to do this, put in oats or rye this fall, peas or beans in the spring, or use sorghum, kafiir corn, milo maize or some other crop adapted to your climate and soil. Con- suit your county agent, your agricul- tural college or the United States de- partment of agriculture.
 4. Produce Enough Chickens and Hogs to Make Your Own Meat: As a rule our Southern farmers have too few chickens. Pay some attention to them. With little work they can be produced cheaply, and enough of them will save the necessity for purchasing meat. Every family should plan to raise few head of hogs and the crops necessary to feed them. The county agent will help you with plans in this direction. Save your brood sows and hens and bullets. You can not afford to sell any breeding stock. Market part of your corn crop ano your peas and peanuts through hogs and chickens. Do not be tempted to sell heifers or COWS; breed them to- beef type bulls and grow your own meat.
 }. Cut Down Your Fertilizer Bills by Saving All Manure and by Plant ing Cover Crops, Especially Winter Legumes, If the Seed Can Be Ob- tained: Buy fertilizers for next year carefully. Purchase only high-grade materials of the kind you need. Some kinds of fertilizing materials may he hlgh-prlced. Do not use that kind un- less you know your land requires it. rops turned under add fertility to the soil and save fertilizer bills.
 Landlords should see that their ten ants follow instructions and grow as much as possible of their supplies, as sutlsested above. Next year is the inn portant year for all farmers in the cotton territory to make up their minds to Hive at home" as nearly as possible. Every dollar saved on ad- vances will be so much gained at the end of the year; every dollar borrow ed on advances has to be paid back out of the cotton crop.
 6. Plant Less Acreage in Cotton Why? Because food products will remain high and cotton will probably remain low if the war lasts. Do yot run any chances. Follow safe plln. You will need the extra acres to pro- duce the food crops. It is estimated that between three and four million