Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-24
GREAT BOOM THAT IS HERE;
FOUNDATION Of THINGS
When Farmer Prospcrs All Business
Takes Move Oh ltsclf--Virginia
and all the South.
DIMES SPLENDID oUrLooK
Money Crops Bringing to Iillcr of
Soil Profits lie Has Long Looked
FOr-Diversified Crops and Dairy
ing Cut Big Figure.

and he backs up his judgment with
some few remarks that may be worthy
OF consideration.
Taking all things In hand and cons
sdcring them from Il really business
like plain, matter of fact viewpoint. 1t
does really look as If there never was
Il much better outlook for Old Virginia
and the balance OF the great South
than just now. All things point to big
profits ahead All things look bright,
and the indications arc that the South
was never more prosperous as IT will
be during the ensuing twelve months
or more.
SiNtccn-ccnt cotton means more
money 10 southern farmers than ever
before for that one crop. in spite Of
the reduced yield.
In addition to cotton. Southern farm
crS have this year made more corn than
ever before. Every buShcl of it rs
worth Il dollar. either to feed or to sell
In the local home markets throughout
the South which are so eager for it,
More wheat has been raised in tho
South during 1916 than in any previous
year.
The same is true Of oats, rye. barley
and huckwhcat. and rice shows w
we'll.
Getting Down tn Real Home Affairs.
And when VIC get down to tobacco
Virginia and North Cardinals favor
lite money crop. we really strike soa,c-
thing that is worth Dragging about
The figures that have already appeared
in the colimnS OF The Times Dispatc
have told the story OF how Virginia
and the old North State have come to
the front within the past two years
in the tobacco line. 1t is enough to
say that the tobacco trade is still on
the onward march, and never before in
the history OF Virginia has the early
deliveries attracted so much Of the
attention OF the buyers. ana. so far as
the observation of the writer goes there
never was time when that species
of the weed known as "primings''
brought as good Il profit to the grow
CIR.
Dairyiny also has increased more this
year than ever. throughout the South.
especially in Virginia. as was shown
in these columns few weeks ago.
The production and consumption OF
whole milk are increasing by leaps ana
bounds. relatively speaking. More but
ter is made and sold here in the South
than ever before, and i, does not re-
Guire the enthusiasm of the intense OPP
timist to see the day when this good
old commonwealth will stop buying
butter from Illinois and other Mid
die West States.
Feeding for beef shows gratifying
mer and winter pasture is greater than
ever, with more forage and roughage
for winter feeding. also more grain for
fattcninE. Many purchasers are being
made throughout the South of pure
bred beef cattle with which TO improve
the common stock.
Virginia and other Southern farmers
have learned that they can make pork
more chcaply than ii can be produced
in other regions. Fruits and vcge-
tables also show substantial gains in
yields. prices and profits. and IN the
matter of vegetables Virginia may be
said 10 lead the whole South
How II Was All brought About
This great wave of agricultural pros.
perity is natural sequence TO the
increased diversitication which has
been characteristic OF Southern agri-
culture in larger and larger proper
tions during the past six years.
Along with all this Improvement in
the production, distribution, marketing
and price OF southern farm products.
has come gradual Improvement in
the farmers methods as applied to his
finances aud business
thousands OF Southern farmers al
ready have made themselves indepen-
dent OF the crop lien system. Others
have paid off th-ir mortgages.
y further gigantic impetus TO i'm
southern farmers is afforded by the
Federal farm loan system. With
money obtained through 1t on long
time and on easy terms. many farmers
forthwith will he able TO make long
contemplated improvements. such as
drainage. fencing. clearing land, en-
riching it with fertilizer or with man
nre, putting UP better buildings. get
ting better stock
While ii will be some months before
the new system is fully established
'his easing mp Of many Il farmers
finances. coming on top Of the other
gains he has made in the production
marketing and sale of his regular
crops. means that during the next
twelve months, our farmers will he in
a better position 20 make more inn
proNemcnts and larger economic pro-
Sress than ever before in n like period
Ia" spirit Tint 0vcrconcs DIficulticH
OF still greater Significance is the
renewed carncstncss of Spirit among
All The folks on the farms and in the
rura! homes throughout the South
THIS spirit takes several forms:
The ideal OF service, of cooperation
OF working together. is more active
than ever before
The individual adult. male or fc-
male. is inspired with fresh ambition
10 do more and be more. to farm better
and TO live better
Even greater IS tho enthusiasm
anon" the Younger people. Roys and
gir!s from twelve TO twenty. young
men aud women from twenty to thirty
/ are wonderfully enthusiastic for i'm
proved agriculture and farm life Ever
Tn" little children have caught III,
Spirit Of zcst. rs shown by the work
Of tn. childrcns clubs in raising pigs
poultry. fruit. canning, etc.
To mind this shirt This
termination. this ea-crncss in old ant
I young for better things. for better liv
iuc 70! better farming. mean ever
NOR" TO the South than all the wealth
which is pouring into her Golfers from
! the products OF her farms and factories
/ For every one knows that all kinds o
| manufacturing cotton. iron, steel an,
northumberland never so prosper
oUs throughout the South as at pres
! cnt
J Given more means Ia do with. In al
! ditiou 10 this rciuvcnatcd spirit which
+ of itself is sufficient to move mount aims
! there is no limit to tho extent TO whici
! Southern farmers may better them
! elves right off now.