Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-08-01
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
BY DR.. ANDREW M. SOULE

pOrLanC, therefore,, LndL farmers Ia
niliarize themselves as much as pos
sible with the soil types they are
! farming as this will aid them in ap
plying data obtained from the fer
tilizer plat work and other expert
ments of the various colleges and ex-
pertinent stations.
Pierce county Is situated in the
southeastern part Of the state about
40 miles west Of the Atlantic coast.
and 20 miles north of the Florida
state line. Most Of the county lies
within the "flat-woods" region Of the
state, which is characterized by lack
Of topographic relief and poor
drainage. In general the topography
consists Of a flat, featureless plain,
marked by numerous irregular, shall
low depressions, which are filled
with water much Of the time. Ada
cent to the larger streams the topog-
raphy is distinctly different. Here it
is characterized by low-lying ridges
and gentle to abrupt slopes toward
the streams, which gives some re-
lief and affords adequate drainage
for that portion near the streams. It
is in these areas that the best agri-
cultural lands Of the county are
found. This upland section is con-
fined chiefly to the northwestern
and western parts Of the county,
along the Alapaha and Satilla rivers
The area of Pierce county, as
mapped, is 507 square miles, or 1924
$50 acres. Since the field report was
published the new county of Brant-
ley has been formed, including the
southern part of what was Pierce
Vxyh 1a
This report, however, will deal with
the area as originally mapped and
included in Pierce county in 1918,
when the survey was made.
According to the census of 1920,
there are 1872 farms* in the county,
averaging 1872 acres each, Of
which 81 acres are classed as i'm
proved. By far the larger percentage
OF the farms are operated by the
owners. On the tenant farms the
share basis Of rental is common,
though the present tendency is to-.
ward a cash rental or it's equivalent
in stated amounts of lint cotton.
Owing to the presence of the cot
ton boil weevil and economic
changes growing out Of the World
War, the agriculture of the county
Is in transitional stage. Formerly,
corn and long staple cotton held
about equal rank in Importance, cot
ton, however, being the chief money
crop. Oats, sweet potatoes, Irish
potatoes and sugar cane have been
grown in g. small way. At present
gradual change is taking place,
and a more diversified system of
farming is being adopted. Short
staple cotton has taken the place, Of
the Sea Island type, being more
suited to boil weevil conditions. Pc.
tatoes, peanuts, velvet beans and
other food and forage crops are be.
ing extensively grown, and livestock
production Is becoming more i'm.
portant. Some bright leaf tobacco is
also being grown.
A more complete discussion of the
agriculture of the county will be
found in the report issued by the
bureau Of soils, soil survey of Pierce
county, Georgia. This report also
contains a detailed soil map of the
county.
"In the census report each ten.
antry is regarded as a separate
farm. Large farms, subdivided into
numerous tenantries, make the &C
,, tual number Of holdings consider
ably fewer.
Second Crop Irish Potato Seed.
F. e. j., Demorest, Ca,
writes: Would it be wise to
I plant a second crop Of potatoes
with seed selected from the first
crop? What variety would you
advise for a late crop in this
country?
There is no objection to using the
seed obtained from the first crop
OF Irish potatoes for planting the
second crop. The principal thing is
to so handle these potatoes as to in
sure their terminating quickly.
/ When potatoes are first dug, they
are full OF moisture, and, in this
condltlon, they do not terminate
! readily. Letting the seed dry out to
a considerable extent is therefore an
advantage. Sometimes placing
them under the shade or corner of
a house and covering them lightly
with. sand, which is kept moist, will
insure their more rapid termination.
AT other times putting them under
the shade Of thick tree and cover
ing lightly with sand will also
hasten termination. Some persons
place them in shallow containers and
let them dry out in a shaded or
uarkened room for some days before
they are to be planted.
The principal thing in planting
second-crop Irish potatoes is to Sc.
cure viable seed which will germir.
ate quickly. Many people prefer
small, whole potatoes for the second.
crop. We do not object to cut seed
provided there are viable eyes on
each piece planted. There are sew
eral varieties of Irish potatoes
which may be planted for the pro.
duction Of a second-crop. Among
these are the Red Bliss, the Lookout
Mountain and the Green Mountain.
| We believe the Lookout Mountain is
one Of the best varieties YOU could
plant in your section. The seed
from first-crop Cobhler Irish pota.
toes may also be used. IT is desir.
able to plant the crop as soon "a
practicable after this date.
Fertilizers Adapted to the Irish
a. Potato Crop
N. K. B., Summerville. Ga
writes: Please let me know what
you consider the best fertilizer
for late Irish potatoes. What IL
! the value of manure salts and
now much should be used per
acre?
Late, or second-crop Irish pota-
toes should be literally fortified
we advise the use of a complete for.
mula. A great variety of formulas
may OF course be used. One made
OF LOCO pounds of acid phosphate
containing 16 per cent of availa HE
phosphoric acid, 600 pounds of dried
o,ood containing IS per cent of avail
aole nitrogen, 200 pounds of higb.
grace sulphate of potash containina
oU per cent of available notasI, tt1Ils