Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-26
A Year of Georgia Achievement

The only enduring conquests, a shrewd phioso-
pher has said. are those which made with the
pillow. Certainly the deepest influences in mans
material prosperity and contentment are those
which spring from the soil. Kingdoms have fallen
because of scarcity of corn. Much of the political
controversy and most of the economic and social
problems of country and every age lead back,
by one way another. to the land. Industry,
commerce and finance are largely the outgrowth of
agriculture. And in reasonable limits it may be
said that as a nation farms, so is it.
: The fact, then, that Georgia's agricultural in
come for the year 1916 exclusive of cotton values,
is almost as great that from cotton itself is of
tremendous import the States every interest, be-
cause this means that agricultural revolution
Is in progress. II means that Georgia is entering
upon a new stage of productive energy, and that
ideas which will enrich and set forward the whole
life of the Commonwealth at work. What has
been accomplished this twelvemonth in the output
of food crops and food animals is the result of
years of education, and it is forecast OF decades
of increasing prosperity. In the light of present
achievements we can better appreciate the earnest
Iabors that lie behind and the opportunities that
beckon ahead. II is worth while, therefore. to
note briefly the 1916 record Of Georgias farm pro-
duction.
According to conservative estimates by the Col
Iege of Agriculture the States total agricultural
income. for the year amounted to $34S, 900, Of
which cotton and cotton seed represented about
sIS9OOO,OOO. The remainder, S150,6S4, 900,
consisted of field, truck and fruit crops and of
imaI products. The latter item. 1t should be said,
includes only the value Of products sold
sumed: it takes no account of some forty-two mil
lars worth of swine. sheep and cattle now on the
farms.
ne x-ae chi rf
commanded extraordinarily high prices Indeed,
it was me most valuable cotton crop the State
ever raised Yet, its estimated income was only
some thirty million dollars more than that from
the years production of foodstufs. That is fact
of profound significance when one reflects that it
has not been many years since Georgia farming
was under an absolute monarchy of cotton. Grain
and vegetables and live stock always have been
raised TO a certain extent, of course, and there
always have been far-sighted farmers who prac-
ticed diversiheation. For the rank and file, how
ever, the aII-cotton system until recent years
the RUE. How far and swiftly that condition is
being left behind shown by the fact that the food
products this year represented almost half the
value of the total income from farm activities.
The corn crop alone amounted to s64 900 900,
and the oat yield to s12.OOO.0OO. Three million
eight hundred and eight thousand bushels of wheat
brought in a total of s4.76o,OoO. Other grain and
600.
This year Georgia raised million bushels of
Irish potatoes valued at 800, 000 million
eight hundred thousand bushels of sweet potatoes.
valued at Sc, 04O 900; and other vegetables, in
GLIDING truck crops. valued at s7,oo0,O00.
Particularly interesting is the development Of
Georgia's fruit industries. 1t is estimated that
this years apple crop brought at least 900,
while the peach crop amounted to approximately
g~y.s 81 q
melons returned s1.12o.ooo; and eight thousand
acres OF contaloupes, 100000. Upwards OF half
a million dollars was realized from grapes, nuts and
tropical fruits It is worth noting in this
ton that Georgia has the largest pecan acreage Of
any State. The pecan industry has grown wonder
fully in the last eight years and bids fair to
reach really great proportions.
It is in animal husbandry, however, that Geor-
git farm interests are making most rapid strides.
The State now ranks seventh. among those OF all
the Union in hog production. This year it had two
million four hundred and thirty-four thousand
hogs representing an increase OF fourteen per
over 1s15-the highest percentage Of increase in
all the country. II had four hundred and fourteen
thousand cows, six hundred and eighty-six thousand
head of other cattle and hundred and sixty-one
thousand sheep. representing. together with the
swine an aggregate value of s1o7.oso.o00.
The State College OF Agriculture, which is one
OF the great COnSIuIufo AOAScS VI INC SOHAAoh-
wealth. points out in recent bulletin the remark
able facts:
"Of all the States having pig clubs Georgia
is first for lowest cost OF production and for
greatest profit in producing pork. Excellent
pork is being made in Georgia at three cents
and less a pound by the Of the combina-
ton of corn, velvet beans and peanuts. the
hogs doing the harvesting.
"Georgia's corn crop has been nearly dou-
bIed in quantity and value since 1909. Dur
ing this period. the Boys Corn clubs have
been developed and the county demonstration