Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-16

The appearance OF the boil weevn In
Georgia means that the states pri-
mary crop up 10 this time is seriously
threatened. The wise land owner VIII
attempt to continue the practice which
has been in vogue for so many years as
the risk OF financial loss is too great
Therefore. the agricultural practice OF
Georgia must be readjusted, which
means that there must be a change IN
the method of managing labor and the
basis on which credit has previously
been extended. The farmer, OF course,
can not work out these problems by him.
self as other interests are concerned, out
the business man and banker, VINO are
wise in their day and generation as
.hev should be. will be anxious TO CO.
operate with the farmer in meeting the
new credit situation which the boil
weeyfl invasion makes necessary.
One OF the first problems which the
farmer must meet with viii prooaoiy De
the IesseninE OF the amount OF credit
previously extended 10 him for carrying
On his farming operations. and this VIII
not be a misfortune in the long run
though IL may present many difficulties
at the outset. In future the tenant must
Of necessity be required by contract TO
produce the greater part Of his living
from the farm. In other words, the time
has come when there must be good
garden on every farm, and proper pro-
portion of hogs chickens and other live
stock maintained This statement ap-
plies with equal force to the wage-earn-
er as we'll as the tenant When the
practice suggested is instituted, the de-
mand for credit will be lessened, and
the danger OF loss through the credit
system on the farm and the fact that
reduction in one crop will not or neces-
Sitv destroy the ability OF the tenant
OF laborer to pay his Indebtedness.
II is probable that the boil weevn
will not do as much damage in Georgia
in 1915 as in 1917. Therefore, many
farmers will conclude that they can
grow cotton extensively under boil Wee
vii conditions and will not realize the
impracticability of doing so until the
end OF 1917. There is a great danger,
therefore, in regard to the manner In
which farmers will view the boil weevn
situation. and IL is important that
word Of warning be given at this time
10 the effect that II weeyil damage IS
not serious in the infested territory In
1916 IL will still be suicidal TO conclude
that the cotton crop will not be prac-
.ically destroyed in many localities IN
1917. OF course, climatic conditions may
minimize the weevil damage very materl-
ally. A study OF the weeyil march shows
spurts. and then il may not do serious
damage for a year or two. This Is true
of the history of all plaques, however,
and a wise man will not be caught nap
ping, but will be prepared by proper
system OF diversification to meet the
weeviI invasion and not depend on the
one crop which the weevirs coming has
often in the past completely DESTROYED.
IL would be a mistake to conclude
- M q in h0ll
v-eevil infested territory. however. but
not over FIVE TO ten acres should be
grown to the plow, whereas, in the past
twenty-five to thirty acres have been
grown. The balance OF the land should
be devoted to a variety of crops use
fuI for the maintenance Of live stock,
for the nutrition Of the farmers family,
and 70 provide a surplus for sale in the
neighboring towns. The crop should
therefore be pitched on the basis OF
supplying the most likely demands of
the market As the present rate of pro-
ductfon only a third Of a bale Of cotton
is obtained per acre, and In many in
stances the landowner does not secure
a sufficient return TO pay any interest
OIL the investment To make a profit
with cotton one should figure on pro-
ducing at least one-half bale per acre
under existing conditions Under boil
WeeNll COnQlLlQnS pOSSAuAE q liiAAN
or even a half or more Of the crop may
be destroyed, IL IS more important than
ever 70 prepare and cultivate the land
devoted TO cotton with more skill than
has been evidenced in the past In 9TH
er words, il cotton can be placed on
a bale-per-acre basis. there is good
chance Of producing a fair crop OF
cotton under boil weevil conditions. pro-
viding all the aids in combating the
Neevil are properly employed. This Is
a matter which can not be emphasized
too strongly. for the neglect OF the ad-
vice given with reference to the de-
struction OF stalks and alternating
places OF the weevil, the fumigation of
seed, the planting Of early varieties,
the thorough preparation Of the land
and its enrichment through the estab-
Hshment OF rotations and the wise use
0f fertilizers, the picking up and burn
ing of the fallen squares. and the rap
ID, shallow cultivation Of cotton in vide
rows will result in failure In produc-
ing this crop under boil weevil cOndi-
tons
Our farms where live stock produc-
ton has not been emphasized before be-
ginnirgs must be made in animal hus-
bandry. Any class of stock may be
used One can obtain a start with
chickens with less money than anything
else, yet poultry and poultry products
are in good demand If the market con-
ditions are complied with, and the eggs