Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-22
Cotton Situation IN
The South

" HERE never was time when the
growing Of cotton should inter-
- est our people as much as 1t
should during this present time and
with the improved varieties and the i'm
nroyed methods of cultivation and fertl-
lization of this wonderful staple there
are possibilities in sight for the SOUTH
ern states that our people nave never
thought Of The United States govern
ment. through its cooperative agencies
ia helping the farmers far more than
the farmers realize. and they are not
taking advantage of the opportunities
offered them as they should.
The work that has been done In Geor-
gia alone during the past six or seven
wears in finding out through actuaI
aoienttfic test the best variety OF cotton
suited to different sections, tho eariness
and lateness of different varieties. the
proper distance to plant and big diner
ence in yielding capacity Of the dlnereht
varieties and many other various things
that are helping our people to know ao-
aolutelv what they are doing in planting
a. crop is placing the production or cot
TON on a safer and higher plane than
aver, and our farmers should take ad-
vantage of and study more thoroughly
the bulletins and get the Information
that can be so freely had by keeping In
closer touch with our state etomologlsts'
who will gladly give information 10
those who are interested and willing TO
profit by same.
Little do our people realize the wide
scope Of this work and how much IT Is
going to help our people. 1t takes time
money and careful study to obtain the
valuable information that is discussed
for our people, but this work has been
progressing gradually during many
years and 1t means millions or dollars
70 the south In increased yield and GER
tatnty of crops, and this Information
could have only been gained by the Work
that has been done by the state and gov
eminent. There are probably rev
farmers who know for the past seven
years that every known standard variety
of cotton has been thoroughly tested and
at present there is growing within hVe
miles of Atlanta seventy-five standard
varieties Of cotton on one state test. In
formation and the actual value Of this
test alone is sure to Lead to discoveries
that will be worth millions OF dollars TO
Georgia and other states, from the bulle-
tins and actual facts that will be oo-
tanned from this great work. But little
do our people realize Of how much value
such work can be TO q country. The day
and time has come when we can not do
to business and realize from our labor
and lands every cent that 1t is possible
to be obtained in the shortest possible
time.
The cotton crop and It's future means
to the south either prosperity or diver
sity, and as nearly everything depends
on this one staple crop and VIII do so
as long as we grow It. Therefore. 1t
stands to be of interest and real value to
every living person not only south or
the Mason and Dixon line but through
out the United States, as the price or
cotton and it's by-products has much to
do with the prosperity and staple value
of other products throughout America
and many foreign countries. How little
do we appreciate our opportunities, and
I am sure we are not taking advantage
of the present situation as We should.
Do not neglect 1t longer. Let every
grower Of cotton. make up his mind now
that we will have for this present grow
ing crop its actual value, stand together
and hold It until We do get what we are
entitled to, and prove to the world the
Importance of the southern states. and
how dependent the success or allure OF
the war and nearly every line Of indus
try Is on the supply and production OF
the south's staple crop and this country
will then be looked upon as 1t should be.
Yours very truly,