Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-09-26

its characteristic red clay soil and
which has been leased for number OF
years and previous TO that time operas-
ed primarily as a cotton plantation, what
can be done with it, In other words
can this farm be changed over 10 a di-
verSified proposition with profit and
SUGGEST Many a land owner is confront
ed BY lust such a situation, and hence
the topic is of general interest and the
number OF questions propOunded very
difficult TO answer satisfactorily The
solution Of any such problem of course
depends much on the initiative OF the
owner. but that an undertaking OF this
character can be successfully accomplish
ed has been clearly demonstrated by
the experience OF those charged with
the management OF the college farm al
Athens. Ca Ten years ago the very
problem presented i'm the opening SEN
tence of this article was attacked with
the results recorded below.
The farm had been abused for some
years previous to its change of owner
ship. IL was without satisfactory build
tngs or a suitable equipment Of imple-
ments or live stock. IL was determined
at once to organize il on the basis OF
4 stock farm. but without overlooking
or neglecting the possibilities OF Guilt
waiting cotton and the varied crops adapt
ed to the soil and climatic conditions
OF the Piedmont area OF necessity the
equipment could only be slowly pur-
chased and assembled. The first I'M
dertaking was 10 organize a small dairy
herd and offer milk for sale The re-
cefpts from the herd the first year
amounted TO s1.124.44. and the sales
of live stock TO s72.29. The value of
the cotton and the cotton seed was
S4Ss.7e. making a total turnover OF the
hn~ In
college year IsO7-1s0S. Nine years Ia
ter the sales from the dairy herd amount
cd TO Ss.70O.4I. showing a steady and
uniform increase throughout the period
In question. The sales of live stock
increased from sT3.es TO s3.05s.02, show
ing an even greater proportionate in
crease than in the case OF the dairy.
The sales from cotton and cotton seed
have varied somewhat according to the
season and the price Of the staple. The
first year the crop brought s46s-62. and
in other years IL has sold for as much
as sI.s3IS3. The total receipts have
varied from S1.7ss.S7 the first year to
11.oO2.6s in Ia15-1sIs. The total re-
ceipts from tae dairy herd in nine years
have amounted 10 s43,76s.21. from the
sales of live stock 10 s13.377.s5, and
from the sales Of cotton and cotton seed
s1e.s1s.ss. making a total OF sss.572.ss
for the nine-year period
Naturally. no profit was made from the
farm for the first three years because of
the lack OF equipment ana the impover
ixhed condition of the soil. but since
Is10-1s1I an increased profit has been
made each year with the result that
the receipts from the farm show a net
return Of nearly SIs.0O0.00 over the ac-
tual outlay. This must be regarded as
a very creditabIe and satisfactory record
and a satisfactory demonstration OF the
possibilities Of building up WORKOUT
plantation lands through the institution
OF a diversified farm practice in which
live stock husbandry is strongly en-
phasized- Remember. that IL was nee
essary to start in and reclaim practical
" all the land now under the pillow,
considerable part Of which had been
thrown out for a number of years and
* was. therefore. badly washed and
erCded. Much OF IL was grown up with
saw briars, saSsafras sprouts and young
pine trees. The terraces were long since
cut through and had to be rebuilt Part
of il was occupied by old orchard sites.
None OF II was fenced. There were no
satisfactory roads and a complete equip
nent Of buildings and implements had
20 be installed, foundations laid for
the live stock herds. and their develop
n emit through selection, careful breeding
and feeding assured. There was thus
every problem TO attack and solve which
every other land owner would be called
on to meet
The results attained have. OF course.
been accomplished gradually. It has been
the policy. for instance. TO reclaim a
new area OF land each year. about forty
acres being brought under the pillow the
past year. Unsatisfactory crops are
raised on much Of this land the first
wear or two after an attempt TO reclaim
II because OF its erOded condition and
the bad physical state of the soil. An
increase in the herds of live stock. there
- enabling larger amounts Of yard
manure TO Re made available each year
and its return TO the soil has resulted in
improving the land and increasing its
trop-yielding powers to satisfactory
degree. Three hundred and nifty acres
Of land are now under the pillow, ex-
elusive Of the considerable areas occu-
pied by the poultry plant, the depart
ment Of field experiments. the horticul-
turaI department. and the grounds sur
rounding the college building. OF course,
n considerable area is devoted to pas
ture. but much of this land is so rocky
end broken that IL could not be sue
cessfulIy cultivated There is quite
large area in woodland. a great variety
of crops have been raised successfully.
Cereals are grown each year and crop
q 1000 10 1900 bushels OF oats obtain
ed Corn is raised in considerable guam
tity for grain. the slower being used
for roughage. COwpeas and sorghum,
oats and vetch. oats, rye and crimson
clover. Sudan grass and other forage
crops have been grown on considerable
areas and cut and cured as hay. Kaffir
a4rz. and sorghum have been grown to-
.a@f7e= and used primarily for the pro-
duction Of silage. several hundred tons
Of which is made each year. Cowpeas