The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1919-03-29
MEETING ON COTTON
ACREAGE REDUCTION
Resolutions Agree to Raise
More Food ProductsCot-
ton is Secondary.


The meeting Of farmers and BUSH
ness men called by County Agent
Henry Lcgett at the court house for
Saturday morning ut ten o'clock was
we'll attended. The meeting was
called to order by Mr.. Legett and
Mr.. T. ID. Brown was nominated
and elected chairman. Mr.. j. w.
McGrath was then called upon TO
discuss plans for cotton acreage re-
duction. Mr.. McGfath was a dele
gate to the State Convention. He ex-
planned very definitely the plans
made at the State meeting and then
read the resolutions passed at that
meeting.
Mr.. S. p. oliver then made a very
important talk, stating that he did
not believe farmers meetings would
reduce the cotton acreage. He did
not know ofsany plan by which cot
ton acreage reduction might be
brought about. However, 1t is very
necessary that something be done, /"
Mr.. oliver said. II believe that
farmers will this next year grow
more food and feed stun than in the
past. If a great deal Of cotton is
planted it may mean bankrupt farm
ers and merchants. / believe in di-
versincation as the solution"
Mr.. Loring Smith then made a
talk. when merchants cut out fer
tilizer, cotton will then be cut out, Z"
said Mr.. Smith. PLANT a little cot
ton, grow lespedeza hay and peanuts.
Not peanuts to sell. but to feed the
hogs. Buy hay IL you have none.
What you plant in cotton, fertilize
and cultivate 1t we'll. Read a little
and study out a plan Of your own.
stay by your lespedeza. Then have
YOU garden. Plant your best land
In corn"
Mr.. B. Montgomery then made a
very interesting talk, telling the
story of his Kentucky uncle. You
plant these red hills in corn" said
Mr.. Montgomery ''and you would
not make enough for the rats. The
Delta planters make the cotton and
get the money. They really make
fun of us. I heard my cousin say
that they grew so much cotton that
they don't pick it.. They are the
ones to cut the cotton acreage"
Statistics were then read for sew
eral years back, showing the prices
on cotton according to amount pro-
duced.
1t was moved and duly carried
that a committee of three be ap-
pointed to draw UP a safe farming
program for Lincoln county farmers
for 1919. This committee consisted
of J. w. McGrath, Hepry Legett and
Loring Smith. Said committee drew
UP the following resolutions:
Resolved: LIST. That we endeav-
or, as near as possible, to carry out
the resolutions adopted at the State
Convention Of Cotton Acreage Re-
duetion.
End. That we recommend the
adoption Of the ORA Bradford Knapp
Safe Farming Program, which II as
follows:
First: A home garden for every
family in the South to supply the
home needs for the maximum num-
ber of days in the year, with suffi-
cient surplus to be canned, stored or
dried for future use, including an
ample supply of Irish and sweet po-
tatoes, and, wherever possible, a
small patch Of cane or sweet sor-
ghum to produce the home syrup.
Second The production of corn
on every farm sufficient to main
tain the family and the livestock. in
ample food and feed for one year.
Third: Produce the hay and for
age necessary to amply supply the
livestock on the farm for one year,
with an excess for the sake of safe
ty. Special attention should be Civ
en- to the summer legumes, velvet
beans, cowpeas, soy beans, and pea
nuts, especially for feeding purposes.
Fourth: Produce the meat, eggs,
and milk for every family on the
farm. This means the production of
hogs, cattle and poultry and the
care and keeping of good family
cows. Livestock is necessary In or
der to eat the otherwise waste prod
ucts of the farm and convert them
into cash.
Fifth: Produce your cotton on a
moderate acreage, well prepared and
we'll tended. Secure the best seed OF
the very best varieties.
Sixth: Plan to meet all family
and farm expenses from the surplus
products of the farm outside of the
cotton crop, and to have in the fall
of 1919 good supply of laying hens.
at least two milch COWS for every
family on the farm, hogs in the lot
to fill the family smokehouse during
the winter, potatoes either in the
bank, the cellar or the storehouse for
winters use, canned or dried vegeta-
bles and fruits, and a barrel of mo-
lasses for the family; crib of corn
sufficient to last until the next crop
is made, with good storage facilities
fer protecting same, and ample hay
and forage for the live stock.