Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-10-30

/ Livery one u zanzibar Win inc Ia
nous boys and girls clubs of Georgia
and those who understand the psyche
/ logical effect flowing out of the worl
. performed by these young people are
/ proud of the fact that the club move
ment started in Georgia. The effect o.
| the corn clubs is generally recognized
/ and is shown by the fact that our yielc
I OF this important cereal has steadily i'm,
creased for some years past. The sue.
cess attending the pig and poultry clubs
and the canning clubs is too well known
! TO call for a detailed explanation OF
/ the Importance or merit Of the work ac
1 complished.
In this hour of the nations trial and
stress IL is not surprising, therefore
that IL seems appropriate to launch
what are to be known as the Georgia
Whea; clubs for the purpose of in
ducing thousands of Georgia boys tC
plant an acre or more of this important
cereal which is now destined 20 exert a
determining influence on the outcome OF
the war. Wheat from time immemorial
has been the chief bread food of man
1t is not extensively gnOwn in any part
of Europe, and in many of the allied
countries is practically unknown. Con-
ditiOns have been such that part of the
land in these countries could not be sue
cessfully cultivated. UnfavOrable sea-
sons have followed in succession. and
hence the supply of wheat produced
has been below the minimum require
ment for the proper nourishment OF the
people of England. France and Italy.
In America we have been neglecting
wheat culture as well with the result
that there has been a decline i'm per
capita production for many years past.
In g.
bushels per capita This year We will
produce less than six bushels. Since
the allied countries must look to US for
a part of their wheat supplies. ii is
necessary that we increase production
this year if we feed ourselves and the
countries dependent upon US. The time
has arrived, therefore. when every means
should be resorted to which will increase
the cultivation of wheat, and since the
boys and girls have done such effec-
tive work with corn, cotton and truck
crops. there is no reason why IL their
effort is properly enlisted in wheat pro-
ductiOn an increase in this important ce-
real should not be obtained, not only in
Georgia but all of the states of the
southeast ut fss frs. place. boys and girls
should recognize that in the growing
Of wheat they are performing a dis
tinctly patriotic service. yet they are not
working without the hope of a fine fl
nancial reward It has been pretty well
established. for instance. that 1t costs
about 20 cents 10 grow a bushel Of
wheat but as the government guaran-
tced a price of So a bushel for 1918,
there is every reason to expect profit
of around 100 per cent. Two dollars
would have been considered a phenome-
nal price for wheat few years ago.
and IL is a very substantial price now.
There is no reason why from twenty to
twenty-five bushels should not be grown
oer acre on land which has been proper
" selected. prepared and fertilized. This
would make n return of $40 to $50 per
acre on land which will probably other
wise remain idle Besides that, most
essential cereal would he produced, one
in fact which we must have If the
war ia to be brought to a successful con-
clusiOn. Every American. of course. be-
Iieves that Old Glory will triumph. but
in order that this may be brought about
as quickly as possible. we must remem-
Der that there are certain things which
we. as individuals. are specifically re-
sponsible for. and one of these is the
extensive cultivation OF wheat.
Georgia boys who wish to become
members of the wheat-growing clubs
must be sent in to their county agent
before December /. They should, OF
course. get the planting done earlier in
the season than this If 1t is practicable
to do so. Every boy is eligible for men,
bership who is between the ages of ten
and eighteen. While this work is in
tended primarily for boys. girls will not
be excluded If they wish to show their
patriotism by cultivating an acre or
more of wheat. Those who wish to be-
come members of the wheat clubs
should remember to read all the litera-
ture sent them by the county agent and
to get the bulletins prepared and dis
tributed by the state College OF Agricul-
ture which gives them full advice about
the planting and cultivating of this inn
portant crop. Every boy should remem-
Der that he will be expected to keep a
record of just what he has done. Rec
ord books have been prepared and Will
be sent on application to all boys. The
boy should ask his father to help him
keep this record. 1t will interest the
together to good advantage. thereby not
only increasing acreage i'm wheat, but
the Yield and the profits as we'll.
Each boy desiring to join the wheat
club must raise at least one acre or
more of wheat. If he can grow five
or more acres so much the better 1t
is important TO remember that the acre
age must be accurately ascertained. The
county agent will help those who do not
know how to measure land The acre
age should be determined at the time
Of sowing and entered on the record
book at once. Do not leave anything
TO chance. but perform all of the work
at the proper time. 1t is important to
remember that a good grade of seed
should be selected. The bulletin of the
State College of Agriculture referred to
gives this information. Boys living in
other states should apply to their agri-
cultural college for special bulletins on
this subject.
Each boy entering the wheat clubs
will be required TO exhibit a peck Of
grain At the county fair in the fall OF
1918. When the grain is harvested, a
peck should be carefully selected and
properly stored TO keep weevils out and
kept 10 be exhibited at the county fair.
The record Of the years work must also
accompany this exhibit. Boys desiring
20 show grain should get in touch with
the county agent. He will help them to
standardiZe their exhibits and tell them
where 20 show. The work of the club
members Will be scored on the following
basis: Yield 80 points. profit 30 points,
exhibit Of one peck OF wheat 90 points.
required report 20 points. Emphasis
will be laid on the completeness and ac-