Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-05

The year promises 10 be one OF many
changes Some OF these viii be cheer
fully met and. therefore. accepted grace
fully, while in other cases there will be
much grumbling. Happy els the farmer,
however, who realizes that changes Are
essential and plans TO meet them well
in advance of their coming. We see
the strange spectacle OF great nations
living on a little more than half "a
tions for long periods of time and eN-
isting under conditions which we would
have thought impossible less than three
years ago These things show that peO-
ple can adjust themselves TO most vio-
lent changes II they become essential.
and We never realize what sacrifices we
can make with fOrtitude until we have
been tried BY some cruel experience. OF
course, every one ShrinkS from INJURY,
though clinEing teRaciously 10 old ideals
due TO inherited conservatism which has
come down TO US from our forefathers-
Since we know that We are wrong IN
doing this. why should we not hasten
20 adjust our farming business on a
basis which will enable US TO face the
future with equinimfty and with the
least loss OF time, energy and money. l
believe that many Of our farmers fully
appreciate the handwriting on the wall
and viii not be caught like the virgins
without the candles. I am writing this
article. therefore. in the form OF a per
sonaI plea in the interest OF those who
now have time and opportunity TO pre-
pare themselves for changes which must
be made in our farm practice.
While we shrink from a new expert
ence. ii often proves 10 be most pleas
ant and enjoyable diversion. New ex-
periences broaden the outlook: they ex-
tend our knowledge; they vary the com
ronpizce humdrum OF everyday exist
cree: they develop our latent energies.
and bring into play constructive forces
which we never thought we possessed
before. Let US look forward. therefore.
TO the era OF new experiences dawning
FOR the farmer in the southeastern
states with pleasant antiCipations and
with the determination TO succeed and 10
make the best OF every situation Let
US be optimists twenty-four hours OF
every DAY and fight pessimism as the
most loathsome disease which can tai
hold of the human imagination. Long
fellow stated the case aptly when he
said.
Let. US then be up and doing.
With a heart for any fate.
still achieving. still pursuing.
Learn 10 labor and to wait
I believe this would be a fine motto
for every farmer TO keep in mind dur
ing the year 1917. and I believe IL he
lives up fully 10 the thoughts expressed
therein that he viii close the year feel
ing that it has been in most respects
pleasant and successful
Whether we ike il or no.. We mus;
&c The necessity Of Iessening tbs
NJ NJ -- ha MI
in areas where the boil weevil is already
well established We need not look for
some great dispensatiOn- Of Providence
20 hold the weevil in check or TO save Us
from its ravages. We have neglected the
diversification of crops; We did not eTadi-
cate the cattle tick when we should have
done so: we have not developed cur live
stock industries commensurate with our
needs; We have not maintained the fer
tflity OF our soil through the use of le-
. guminOus crops. we have wasted our nat
uraI resources. Let Us admit the truth
for the truth is never an accusation, and
after having made clean breast Of az
fairs. let Us determine TO do better as
we can and must. Nature is angry and
intends that we shall be temporarily pun
ished for our neglect OF past opOrtuni-
ties and privileges. and in order that fI-
ture generations may be taken care OF
through the preservation for their use OF
q part OF The priceless patrimOny tC
which we became heirs without special
effort on our paFs-
While we will not abandon the cult
walton of cotton. the method OF manay
ing and handling il will he on a new
basis and we must replace a part OF the
area previously devoted 10 cotton with
other crops. What can we grow? is IN.
sssrrezff rr1zf nwnnorruda.I
We can extend the cultivation OF Pea
nuts all through the coastal plains sec
tiou- If they can not be sold 10 the OF
mills At a profit. they can certainly 10
Fyrazsd down h. hogs. thus materially
increasing our supply Of pork There
IS no reason why the number OF hogs IL
Georgia should not be increased by
half million i'm = period OF two years
This should add 10 the revenue OF oUl
farmers between ten and fifteen million