The Mena weekly star., 1918-04-18
HOME FalDUCTl0A OF FC09 Is URGEO
CAN THE ARKANSAS FARMER PRODUCE Alt COTTON
 PRoFlTABLY?
By W. c. Lasscter, Director Agr,cul- tural Extension Division. University of Arkansas

By w c. Lasscter Director Agr,cul-
 tural Extension Division, University oi Arkansas.
 For many years the agricultural agencies of the South have urged the home production of food and feed supplies. The reason given was that such system added to the profits of the farm. We have scattered through out Arkansas and throughout the South innumerable progressive farm CTS who are living examples of the correctness of this teaching. These men have grown their home supplies of food and feed and have produced cotton as a cash crop. These men have prospered and today are owners of unmortgaged farms.
 However, the question has been raised as to the effect Of the high price of cotton upon the profits under system of this kind. Many farmers today believe that they can better at- ] ford to grow cotton and purchase their supplies of food and feed that are used while the cotton crop is 
 being produced.
 All Cotton Win Not Pay. | It is true that with cotton at BOG per pound many farmers of the state will be abls temporarily to make bet ter profits through adherence to cot ton as one crop. However, these same men will be surprised when they | cnuna ta raokn,, with tho oo,t. oR koox Cotton Is worth only that which 1t will buy. If cotton at 30c per pound will buy no more fin the way of food and feed than it would at 12c per | pound, then in reality 1t Is worth no more. Careful comparison of the re- tail equivalent values of cotton In July, 1914. and under present condi- tions show that on the average the | purchasing power of cotton today is practically no greater In food and feed supplies than 1t was before July 1914. Previous to July, 1914, the av- craze for cotton might well be said to be 12c per pound or s60 per bale With recent prevailing prices it is worth BOG per pound or $150 per bale. Yet bale of cotton today will buy l only one more bale of hay. will not buy as much corn, will not buy nearly so much lard, will not buy as much salt pork, nor as much bacon, very little more ham, only few more eggs and little more butter, only a few mors sweet and Irish potatoes. On the av- craze, considering all farm products | entering into the ordinary expenses of the one crop cotton farm. the pur- | chasing power of cotton is no greater today at BOG per pound than in 1914 | at 12c
 If the progressive farmers of the South profited by producing their own food and feed previous to 1914 why could they not prosper under present -coLa .tions. by observing the same farm system?
 ln producing our own food and feed
 nr lies in Arkansas we can reasona bly cay that we are not sacrificing iil | money On the contrary, we can say thatswe are rendering patriotic ser vice.
 Grow Food and Feed or You May Not Get 1t.
 l MT McAdoo, Director General of the Railroads, says for us to grow it-- that if we do not grow it We may be unable to get it.
 May every cotton grower in Arkan- sas sign the food production pledge and receive his honor card to display. testifying to the fact that as patriot ic citizen he recognizes his duty to his Government, his duty to himself and family and the best principles of good business management as ap- l piled to his farm.