Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-12-09
Livestock and Dairying
Enjoy Fine Progress
In Western Florida
BY q. p. SPENCER

(Vice Director Agricultural Extern
sion, Florida College Of Agricul-
ture.)
On a recent visit to county agents
through west Florida l was much i'm
pressed by some of the developments
sions in farm prices and other dis
turbances with which farmers have
had to contend, there are signs of
progress.
1 visited one of the finest dairy
farms of the south. 1t is the Mag
nolia Farms of Escambia county.
This farm has long been under the
management of Oscar Williams, and
during the last eight years he has
given the closest attention to build
ing up a high-grade dairy. He is
making satisfactory Roadway, having
built a number of good barns, sllos,
pastures, feed lots, fences, etc. From
time to time. purchases have been
made from the best Jersey herds in
tick-infested, but is tick-free now.
These purebred animals are doing
we'll.
The farm produces an abundance
of corn and other crops. and there is
never a shortage of feed, which [ at
tribute to good management. This is
entirely possible on the average
southern farm and this enterprise in
dictates that dairying in west Flor
ida can be as extensive and prof.
table as it can be anywhere.
In Santa Rosa county Twisted the
Munson farms, located about 18
miles from Milton. Here 1 found
about 500 purebred Duroc-Jersey
hogs. Among them were several
months old sows, gifts weighing
100000 pounds, mature brood soWs
and shoats weighing 500-800 pounds.
These hogs are being cared for well.
but with little housing. In view OF
this housing fact, one cannot help
the middle west where housing is
difficult. The lands owned by the
Munson farms will easily produce
from 20 to 40 bushels corn to the
acre, under average conditions. Pas
lures are excellent and almost un
limited.
This enterprise impresses one as
interested in livestock. Under. good
mana cement hog raising in west
Florida is probably the best under
taking for the average farmer, de-
spite the fact that hog prices have
settled down to the lowest level
since before the war.
In Jackson county I visited the
Greenwood and Malone sections,
noted for Spanish peanuts and mills.
The farmers have made excellent
crops. One farmer cultivated and
harvested crops from about 600 acres
this year, most Of which must be
sacrificed because of present prices.
This may change the system of mar
keing to some extent, which would
undoubtedly be for the good of the
farmer.
One cannot help being impressed
when going through these sections by
seeing excellent crops of peanuts,
corn and forage plants, fat and sleek
cattle and hogs. These counties have
much to look forward toe Their lands
should become as productive and as
valuable as many farther north
which have been selling at enormous
sums.
There are many other enterprises
in West Florida that should be
placed before the public. The honey
industry of Franklin and Liberty
counties; the sugar cane and tobac
CO interests of Gadsden. some of the
newer developments in Walton and
Santa Rosa, would impress anyone
interested in agriculture with the
value and Importance of that part Of
the state.
West Florida has vast areas of un-
developed land. most of which is cap
able Of profitable improvement. These
lands are still cheap, fairly accessible
and located among good citizens.
Cooperative marketing has re-
suited successfully for the cattle and
hog growers of Craighead county,