Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-07-23
The Situation AS It Exists

The distress of our farmers is
acute, and yet in a majority of cases
they have faced the situation with
equan1mity. After all, things could
stance, that we harvested 1926, O00,-
IVY worth Of agricultural crops in
1870. To this should be added
S75,0O0,000 worth of animal products,
making in all $400,000,000.
These n-ures were compiled after
the most notable shrinkage in farm
prices mad taken place. 1t is true
they represent tremendous falling
off from the previous year, when we
reached the goal of $625,0OO. 900.
Nevertheless, S40O,000,000 represents
a large amount of new wealth 20
and through the agency of our live
stock industries. 1t shows that we
have a larger measure of credit and
resources at our command than we
might be disposed to think at first
sight.
We also had a considerable reserve
Of money in our savings banks stan l.
ing to the credit of our farmers IN
the month Of March. and a larger
proportion of foodstuffs for the sus-
tenance of man and beast on our
farms than in many previous years.
In view of the situation which de-
veloped, the college undertook to
prepare and disseminate an agricul-
tural program for 1921. 1t is graft
flying to be able to report that the
suggestions made were generally
commended, widely adopted and
largely put into practice. 1t called
IN the main for the devotion of ol.a-
third of our lands to the growth of
various grain, hay and truck crops,
one-third to the cultivation of corn,
and one-third to cotton. 1t was also
pointed out how farming operations
this year could be conducted on a
very economical basis and the crops
raised at a minimum of cost.
The plan proposed indicated the
necessity of raising minimum of
S65,O0O,00O worth of food crops over
and beyond that which we raised
last year. If this end can be attain
ed, this large sum of money can be
kept within the borders of the state,
and IN any event we will have an
abundant supply of food for both
far in excess of that available in
many previous years By this ar
rangement such cotton as we grow
could, indeed, be made a surplus
money crop.
The general celebrity and vigor with
which our farmers have gone to work
would indicate that they have taken
the bitterest disappointment which
they have been called on to face in
many years in a better spirit than
many of their most severe critics. AL
ready they are striving to regain the
ground which was lost as a result of
the sudden slump from war prices.
In this connection it may be proper
to point out that we have already
reached a degree of Investigation
in Georgia which is not generally
appreciated.
our lint cotton was worth approx
mately S1OO,0O0,000, our cotton seed
S25,OOO,000, and our other agricultural
crops S200,000,000. To this must be
added s75,000,000 for live stock
When this is done it appears that
more than 50 out of every SO which
our farmers obtained for their prod
ucts were derived from sources 9TH
or than cotton.
If the program of work which was
prepared and SO generously approved
and instituted is carried into full
effect, there is no reaso nnext fall
why a revenue of $500 from non
cotton products, as compared fifth
S1.0O for cotton, should not pertain.
This, l believes, to be the correct
oasis on which we should predict
our farm practice in Georgia, no
matter what the price of cotton may
be now or in the future.
In spite of the commendable prog
ress made along agricultural and
live stock lines in the last decade
there is still much to be accomup-
llshed. 1t appears that many Of our
farmers are planting varieties of cot
ton which yield fiber below staple
Sue ha condition may seem incredi-
able to some, yet there are facts
available which amply sustain this
remarkable statement. Why should
farmer grow non-staple cotton
and thus waste his own time and
energy and that of any of his family
who may be old enough to work?
Why debase the land and waste the
fertilizer applied under the crop?
Such things occur simply because
we have not enlightened our people
properly relatively to such matters.
When you think that there are
10000 farms in Georgia, and that
100000 people live thereon the diff
ficulties of the task NAV be bet
ter appreciated. Especially is this
true when we realize in addition
thereto that our efforts to instruct
the youth of the state relative 20
in correct agricultural production
have been as yet comparatively
futile. I cannot definitely estimate
the amount of loss involved in tho
direction indicated. but 1 am sure
that it is greatly in excess of all
the money we now spend for every
character of education in Georgia.
Our investigations show that many
Of the varieties of cotton planted
in the state mature SO late as be
of no value for cultivation under the
conditions of boil weevil infcstation.
yet thousands of acres have been
ing the present year.