Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-01-04
AeeP5IcUr1g4RA4E4s s :
- H. as...s1 EDUCATION:
@N--ya= AND SUCCESSFUL FARMING
@aG@n@ By AKDREWM SolHE
.Np SUCCESSFUL FARMING

we can provide through the agency
of the increase suggested.
We have made a greater record OF
development in the last decade with
hogs than with any other class of
live stock. In 1900, we possessed
only 1,424,298 head of hogs. In 1907
this number had only increased to l.
$4,000 head. In 1910, there were l.
7S3,6S4 head. This represents
gain of about 100000 head during the
preceding ten years. In 1920 We pos
sessed 3,165,000 hogs, gain of L.
S81,336 head of hogs, gain of l.
Just closed. This represents an in
crease of 80 per cent over the fig
ures of 1907, when real educational
work looking to the expansion and
development Of our hog raising in
dustry was first undertaken on
somewhat systematic basis. While re-
markable changes in the number and
quality of our hogs have taken place,
we still have long way to go. We
can further improve the grade in
the next ten years with great profit
to our farmers and the packing in
terests as we'll. 1t is also clear that
with conditions such as now surround
us we can still afford to enlarge the
borders of our hog breeding opera
tions very materially. There is no
reason why this state should not take
care of five million head of hogs sat
isfactorily. I am inclined to think
that it will take nearly that many
hogs to supply our people with all
the pork products they need. 1t should
not be difficult to enlarge our hog
raising operations because no more
than a 1.-THE of the land now cultivat-
ed is devoted to grazing crops. We
still have vast areas which can be
made to yield profitably grown crops
to use in the supplemental feeding
of hogs. Certainly, our present pack
ing plants are not being operated on
satisfactory basis because we are
not providing nearly enough animals
to keep them busy throughout the
greater part of the year.
In the matter of sheep raising, the
sess now only a little more than
one-third as many sheep as the state
was credited with having twenty
years ago. In 1900. there were $780,
278 head Of sheep in Georgia. That
was flock entirely too small for
inadequate to supply the needs of
our people with mutton. lamb or even
wool from which to make clothing,
In 1907, the number of sheep in Geor-
gia had decreased to 100000 head.
In 1910 the number had fallen to
1854, while in 1920, we are cred
tied with possessing $4,000 head.
This represents decrease since 1910
of 115 per cent. At the present rate
of declination. the sheep breeding
industry in Georgia will practically
be wiped out in another ten years. I
am satisfied that this state should
possess one million head of sheep
and there is every reason why we
should be able to maintain and ham
die flock Of this size satisfactor-
lily. Certainly, we have all the ma
tural environmental conditions to
justify this statement. A flock of
this character could occupy and util-
iZe lands which are now idle. Such
extra supplies Of roughage or graz
ing as might be needed for their
vided. Several million dollars of
revenues could be added to the in
come Of our farmers each year
through the agency of flock of
sheep of the size recommended. Why
do we neglect and overlook SO i'm
The principal thing that holds us
back in sheep raising is the fact
that we have placed a premium on
the worthless cur dog. He is now
at liberty to run at large without let
or hindrance and work his vengeance
on sheep wherever he may find them.
AS a result, the sheep breeding in
dustry is losing ground at such a
rapid rate as to be positively alarm
ing. Shall we continue to permit so
an industry to languish
and die in order that worthless cur
side at will? I am believer in
dogs. I love a good dog. I think
a dog is one of the most faithful
and beautiful companions that man
has ever possessed. I would place
good dog on a pedestal and confer
him which has faithfulness. courage
and intelligence deserve. We can
have dogs of this class to Gus
hearts content and still maintain all
the sheep our farms can support in
order to keep our animal industries
supply the need of our people in re-
gard to their requirements for lamb,
mutton and wool. Let us be ra-
tional and fair about this matter. We
cannot afford to see the sheep breed
ing industry wiped out in Georgia
cur dogs. Surely the situation is Of
sufficient Importance to enlist the
sympathetic attention and consider
alton of the good citizens of Geor-
gia. A little, effort should give US
worthwhile dog law and enable US
again to restore the golden hoof of
the sheep to that prominence in our
live stock Industries which nature in
tended it to occupy.
1t would thus appear that while
we have made satisfactory progress
in the last decade along the line OF
animal industry we have still a long
way to go to attain that position
which our environment warrants. We
can strengthen every phase of live
stock production with advantage. It
has been pretty we'll established
that in spite of the fact that the
people of the United States possess
seven million automobiles that the
horse still constitutes an essential
part Of our agricultural equipment.
The new type of farm practice which
we must institute and the heavier
class of implements which must be
used to lessen labor costs and in
crease efficiency mean that large
numbers of holN and mules must
be employed per farm in the future.
considerable increase of power which
the tractor has brought to the aid
Of the farmer. Undoubtedly there will
be developments along the lines of
power farming, but even in the face
of what has been accomplished or
what may be accomplished in the u
ture, we still need a larger number
of work stock than we now own Ger
tainly, the state to become economi-
cally independent and permanently
prosperous must provide her own
people with all the products of the
dairy which are necessary for home
consumption. These foods can still
be made at a relatively lower cost
within the state than they will COM
n,and if purchased in different sec"
lions of the country and shipped into
Georgia.
I,Ur Do:aansoes