Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-03-07
HOW MUCHFOOD
NECESSARY FOR
SOUTHERN FAMILY
Government Experts Map
Out Course to Bring Great
est Returns

SnoulO the southern farm producer
Sufficient to supply Adequately
the needs of the family throughout
the year, so as to minimize the pur-
chases of foodstuffs." urges the Unit
ed States department Of agriculture
in a publication Just issued, Farm
ers' Bulletin 1918, producing Fam
lily and Farm Supplies on the Cotton
Farm"
Radical Change Necessary
To reduce the traditional discrep-
ancy between the family food produc-
ton and consumption of the aver
age cotton farm and to develop self
sufficiency of homegrown rations
necessitates a radical change in the
cropping system of the southern
farmer. 1t involves a big opportuni-
ty for the all-cotton man to rid him
self permanently Of the bonds Of the
advance credit system, which hereto
fore has favored the importation of
his bean, bacon, and bread supplies
from the northern and western states
at prices often unreasonable, con-
seQuent on mtddlemen profits.
Southern farmers are urged to
raise more vegetables and fruits on
their farms for family use. Favored
with long growing season and
plenty Of rainfall, gardening in this
region is an easy and certain means
goods" bill. One group Of IS town
families which became interested in
vegetable raising as a means Of self
defense against high living costs,
raised an average of approximately
$50 worth Of food per family on gar
dens ranging in size from 800 to 4.
square yards. The average cash out
lay for these gardens was: Labor,
$1.51; seeds, $I.51, and fertilizer,
$0.52; a total cost OF 1884.
From Small Plots
One man on three-Quarters Of an
acre recently raised for his family Of
four persons II kinds Of vegetables
to the value Of 1920 at a cash out
lay of SIS for preparation and 50 for
seeds. Another man grew S87..
worth of vegetables on IA acres
at an expense of 1920. Forty-two
while S26 worth was sold, the bal
ance being consumed by the family.
For farm family of five adults,
me federal department of agriculture
recommends a. garden Of IL acres,
containing about two-thirds of an
acre Of vegetables as we'll as one
half acre Of late sweet potatoes and
one-third acre of late white potatoes.
One half an acre Of fruit to con-
sist of the common fruits and berries
adapted to this latitude, ts also sug-
gested.
The corn meal and wheat flour sup
plies for the average farm family
should be home-raised from one acre
of corn and three acres of wheat,
while one-half acre Of sugar cane or
sorghum will yield the essential 81
gallons Of syrup for the use of five
farm adults.
TWO cows that will produce an av-
erage Of 2 gallons Of milk apiece dali
". for 10 months, which should be
bred to freshen about six months
apart, will provide the milk, butter
and cottage cheese rattons, IN add1-
ton to raising a couple OF calves
each year which may be sold for veal
the dairy products squad. In one
southern community q beef club of
Is farmers has been formed Each
member Of the club agrees to grow,
fatten and dress at least one beef
animal every Is months for distrt-
button among the members Of the
club. This simple scheme provides
an abundant supply Of fresh beef at
times when 1t is needed.
One Pig Per Person
To supply the pork and pork prod
ucts for the average farm FAMILY re-
quires one pig for each adult person.
Unless the family is very small 1t
will be profitable to keep one brood
SOW to produce these pigs. 1t Is gem
orally practicable to raise the pigs
intended for the home pork supply
on waste products Of the kitchen,
garden, farm and orchard.
A farm flock Of between 30 ana
80 fowls, exclusive Of young chick
ems, will provide eggs and poultry
for the family table as well as
surplus which can be exchanged at
the store for groceries. These fowls
can rustic q living around the farm
with the supplementary feeding Of
table scraps and some grain during
the winter. It is good management
however, to raise about two acres of
corn and two acres Of oats for the
hens.
To produce the necessary feed for
the family live stock, considering
average yields, will require corn fod-
der from nine acres, 5 IL acres corn
for grain, cottonseed meal from the
seed of the Ia acres of cotton, ;
acres Of cowpeas, 2 acres of oats anc
l 1-2 acres of oat hay, as we'll as
acres Of good bermuda grass or other
local pasturage. 1t Is we'll also to
provide acres Of rye, corn and sor-
grum for emergency soiling pur-
poses in case the grass gets short.