New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
Stump Land Farms
In South to Get Aid
OF the Government
Agricultural Experts Will
Conduct Survey to Find
Best Method That May Be
Used in X Keel a matt

WASHINGTON, Aug. "A prelmi-
nary study OF cutover timber lands
in the South, with view to deter
mining their best utilization, - be-
ing planned by Dr. II. c. Taylor. chief
Of the new Bureau of Farm Manage
ment of the Agricultural Department.
and DR.. L. c. Gray. head of the new
Division of Land Economics in that
bureau. Cooperation in this work s
expected from state authorities. es-
peciaily those connected with tate
agricultural colleges and experiment
stations, and also from the various or
ganizations Interested in the develop
meHt Of the South
The work this year VIII be limited
by the appropriations made BIZ Con-
gress for the Bureau of Farm Manage
ment, which are not as large az re-
quested by Secretary Honston
In considering the problem Of utiiiz-
ing southern cutover lands % the best
advantage, il is planned first 70 mohii
re data already ia the posse sion Of
various branches Of the government
tnat bear upon the subject IT funds
admit this viii ne followed up next
year with II more extended inNestica-
ton in number Of localities IN the
Southern States. These Investigations
should include an intensive study f
certain questions related % the colon
ization and development CT cutovcr
lands.
Suitable for Three Purposes
There is a good deal Of general IN
formation available about soutnern cut
over lands and their possibilities
Scientists and economists apparently
agree that they are suitable chiefly
tor three purposes; namely, lve stock
raising, farming and retorestauon. ac-
cordlng 10 the character and locati Oh
of the land.
The studies referred 70 above should
result in assembling a mass OF drtailod
data that viii oe Of great use in bring
ing about agriculture! development IN
the Southern States. particularly the
Goa stal plain area, extending from Nir-
gina 70 Texas, in which s sitsated
the bulk of the pine stump lands.
For instance, II is hoped 70 bee able
to advise the owners Of those lands
and the settlers therein in Different
parts of the South what nse fhev ARE
best adapted TO; by what method thev
had best be cleared and the cost of
clearing; the nature of the soil ard
what kind of treatment il needs IN
fertilization, crop rotation. etc. APP
proximately what capital 'he cafticnAn
and farmer viii need, the farm ari-
mals and equipment and seed le
should have TO start operations H.fa
prospect Of success; the best me' ods
Of livestock growing in particular
localities. whether on tnc open 4aage
or in fenced pastures what new forage
grasses. II any. are desirable for .ye-
stock, handicaps the settlers may be-
called upon to meet--for instance. the
cattle tick and how 70 overcome them.
and SO on.
Larger Fund Hoped For
The preliminary study - southern
cutover timberlands this yesr WI
serve as the foundation ir 3 more
thorough investigation 81 tle or7hle,r
presented next year wheu .t is hoped
that ore abundant funds VIII Be
available.
An Investigation of cutover timber
lands 10 determine 'heir best utliza.
tion and hoy they can be made avail
able for livestock gro~ln.. etc, VAS
recommended by the land conference
held at the Department Of Agriculture
about two months ago. which adopted
offered by Clement s. ticker vice
president Of the Southern Settlement
and Development Organization.
Nr. l.. c. Gray. economist Ia charge
OF land economies a .ne Bureau ~
Farm Management. is southern b.
birth and parentage. i graduate af
Wisconsin University, he has for many
years devoted his attention 70 land
problems and has taught economies in
the universities OF Wisconsin and of
Saskatchewan and the George Peabody
College for Teachers.
Dr.. Gray IS especially qualified by
training and experience to direct the
work Of the Division Of Land Econom-
ics.' SAID Assistant Secretary Of Agri-
culture o. |. Christie recently, and
not only the Department Of Agricul-
ture, but the people of the United
States are to be congratulated on hav-
ing his services at their command,