Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-26

Present figures Indicate that our
wheat production for 1918 is represent
ed by 64 per cent of an average crop.
In some seasons it has gone as high
as Sc per cent 1t will therefore be
seen that our prospective yield of wheat
this year will be relatively small and
quite inadequate to meet the needs of
our consuming population. Favorable
weather conditions may increase the
Outturn. somewhat, but the fact that
We have not been able TO obtain nitrate
OF soda TO use as top applications will
probably tend TO hold the yield a [ about
the figure indicated. We have been
called on to feed ourselves as our con-
tribUtiOn to the war. II we are to ac-
complish this end. we must therefore
encourage and extend the acreage de-
voted to the cultivation of all crops
which may be used as substitutes for
wheat. Already we are asked to live
on six pounds of wheat -four per cap
ita per month until the next harvest.
This request was made of us by the
national government as a military ne
cessity. and we may therefore be GER
tain that our supplies Of wheat are
relatively small or we would not be
asked to make this change in our long
established custom of eating wheat
bread TO our heart content.
We can. of course. use corn as a sub
stitute for wheat and so should encour-
age it's production. No doubt the farm
ers OF Georgia will make an appropri-
ate response in this direction. Expert
ments have shown, however, that the
hest type OF bread is obtained where
substitutions are used If more than
one be combined with the proportion of
wheat -four which we are allowed to
use We are now expected to make
bread which contains 25 per cent OF
wheat substitutes. The chances are we
will shortly be asked to use as much
as so per cent. To this end. what are
the substitutes which are likely to pro-
duce the most satisfactory results in
combination and which can be grown
with the greatest economy and success
i'm Georgia. First of all, there is corn
meal. and next in order would proba-
bly, come rice, followed by Irish and
sweet potatoes and no doubt we Will
pIant a large acreage to sweet pota-
toes. Both of these materials, how
ever. are somewhat more difficult FOR
the baker to handle and use than would
be rice. Hence, If we can extend the
cultivation of rice materially this year
il is to our advantage to do so. rests
made show that where rice and corn
are combined i'm the proportion OF 20
rs. 90 per cent with wheat -four that
very wholesome and palatable loaf OF
bread is obtained. 1t appears TO have
greater relative volume than where
only one substitute is combined with
wheat and the rice -four adds greatly
"a the Wilderness of the loaf. Moreover,
a better favored bread is obtained from
the combination of these two than from
the use of one alone. There rs every
thing. therefore. to commend the extern
Siye use of rice as a cereal suDstltut
Cor the saving of wheat flour at TINS
ime. so we should encourage rice pro-
-luction i'm every possible and leglt-
mate way, and fortunately, there Is OPP
portunity to do so in Georgia on quite
AN extensive scale. 1t is to be hoped
nat This message will be taken to
heart and extensive areas OF lahd ue'
voted to the cultivation of upland rice
in Georgia during the spring and sum-
mer of the present year.
Every one is familiar with the fact
that there are thousands OF small leVel
creek bottoms in all parts or Georgia
hut probably many more in the north
ern part of the state, which are 100
wet for the cultivation of corn COTTON
or sorghum, and are admirably adapted
for the Growth of rice. This crop is
~ the state now. Its adaptability for
the growth under Georgia conditions
mas been fully demonstrated, and hum
drrds of farmers now know how to cul-
tiyate and handle il. 1t is A question,
therefore. of their extending their own
acreage and inducing their neiGhbors
and friends to plant reasonable
ara. and by this action increase the
SUNNY OF rice available for food next
pXfnnf
Whether the areas in question be large
or small, they should be devoted to
rice in preference 20 field crops to
which they are not adapted Ky ieason
Of their improper drainage. On many
and rany Cf these locations small
dixie can be very cheaply mad easily
constructed. 1t shoulc be built similar
10 a large terrace about the field. When
this is done irrigation can be practiced
successfully at any season when it be-
comes necessary. The water should be
turned on the rice, say thirty to forty
DAYS after planting. and IL should be
kept 1T a depth of about three inches
IL is desirable that the water should
be kept running. The field should be
kept flooded until the plants are fully
headed After this the water may be
shut III anh the land allowed to dry
out IT. a long dry. favorable fall the
ground will probably dry out sufficient
~ to enable the rice if planted on a
large scale 10 be harvested with
binder. Where only small areas are
cultivated the harvefing may have
10 be done with hand scythe. In fact,
this is the practice now commonly fol-
lowed in many sections of the state.
Rice may be planted any time in
April Early seeding is advised when
practicable. but this is not so impor-
tant as with some other crops provided
the necessary provision is made for ir-
rigation. and therefore a uniform sup
PLY OF moisture made available through
out the growing season. The amount Of
seed 10 use per acre will vary but
probably eighty pounds will be about
the right amount. The seed should be
carefully selected and be free from dirt
and trash. Rice can be seeded in vari-
Gus ways. grain drill may be used
for this purpose, or on sandy soils IL
may be put out in rows eighteen inches
apart like sorghum or other -culti-
waited crops. This crop will make a good
WELD on well-drained. irrigated bottom
lands These soils Of course. are natur-
ally rich and comparatively fertile and
so one would expect to obtain good re-
turn therefrom. 1t also does we'll on
. sandy lands where the water table runs
WELD on low bottoms which are alto
gether too wet for other crops. and IS
rule is a failure on uplands where II
cannot be properly irrigated and so sup
. piled with a sufficient amount OF mois-