Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-07-29
The Acres Behind At1anta

A FARIlCULAHLf potent FACTOR In AT
A lanta's prosperity and growth is the
fertile farming region with which she
is zoned. She profits, first and last not only
from the agricultural wealth of her immedi-
ate territory, but from that also of the en-
tire State and Of the bountiful Southeast,
at whose natural gateway she stands. Be-
cause of her excellent railroad and highway
facilities-living links to every corner of the
common countryside is distributing cen
ter, as we'll as market. for great volumes
of agricultural products Moreover, she is
financial center for wide range of agricul-
tural operations; while to the trade OF ru-
raj districts, near and far, goes much of the
Output OF her industries and mercantile es-
thpifsh ments.
wIt lis distinctly worth while. therefore, that
business and civic leaders should bear in
mind the basic Importance of these farm re-
sources, their extent and diversity and vital
part in sustaining and prospecting the COM
mun1ty. Certain mighty interesting facts are
brought forward in this connection by Mr..
Frank Il. Jeter, agricultural editor of the
Southern Soil Improvement Committee. Writ
ing in the current number of the CITY
BUILDER, the monthly magazine of the At
lanta Chamber of Commerce, Mr.. Jeter
points out that upwards of eleven million
acres in Georgia, according to the last CEN
sus report, produced staple crops OF this
total more than four and quarter million
were devoted to corn, which was not greatly
behind the aggregate given over to cotton,
and which exceeded the corn acreage of any
other Southeastern State. In oats in hay
and forage crops, and in peanuts Georgia
stood second among. these States In sweet
potatoes she led. Add orcharding, trucking
and live stock industries, all of which grow
continually more important, and it appears
that in food production alone Georgia farms
send forth scores of millions of wealth.
whose enriching streams Atlanta constantly
enjoys The few harvests above specified
represented values of more than one hum
dred and thirty-two millions, and together
with cotton, brought the years total to little
less than half billion dollars.
Surely, there is no need of argument to
reinforce Mr.. Jeter's observation that the
more closely the city interweaves it's inter-
ests with the States agricultural develop
ment, the more certainly will both urban
and rural fortunes thrive. eco out during
the harvest season." he writes, when crops
are moving and money is coming in. Watch
the happy faces in the streets. Hear the
laughter. See the stores of the little towns
and villages crowded with purchasers Look
at the depositors at the bank windows, and
catch glimpse of those back in the private
office settling debts for the year. Goods
move and money goes back to the bigger
banks from which it came. Orders are rush
ed for filling. And on travel the results of
successful harvest. Times are good. At
lanta reacts to conditions as they exist on
the eleven million acres of staple crops back
of her,
A true picture, this, and practical philos-
ophy. From the soil comes the life-stream
of the city's prosperity; and to promotion of
farm interests discerning city will give it's
best thought