Evening star., 1923-02-18
FARMING OUTLOOK
BRIGHT IN SOUTH
Some Areas, However, in
Very Bad Shape, Agriculture
Department States.
LABOR LEAVING FARMS
Much Land Idle Due to Boil
Weevil-Cattle in Good
Condition.
Ry the Associated Press

BE the Associated Press
ATLANTA, February 1.-THE gen
eral farm outlook in the southea stern
states is much more encouraging than
at this time last year. but there are
areas in very bad shape from every
standpoint, the bureau of agricultural
economics of the United States De-
rartment of Agriculture declared to-
day in its midmonth crop report for
the states OF North Carolina, South
Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee
and Georgia. Idle land in the worst
weevil infested areas, the report as
serted, Will run from 10 to 20 per cent
during the coming season.
The movement of labor from the
farms TO the industrial centers COM
tinues. the review said. and farmers
are unable to meet the competition
prices. The situation was said to be
serious in certain portions of Georgia
south Carolina and North Carolina.
A general increase in fertilizers is
cept in North Carolina and North
Georgia where the weevil was active
during the past season.
Cattle in Good Condition.
Georgia livestock is in unusually
good condition on account of the mild
winter, the report asserted, adding
that the condition of range cattle is
poor in Florida. Movement of hogs
is brisk except in Florida. where they
have been waiting for cooler wealth
er.
Florida reports heavy movements
OF cabbage, celery and lettuce and
preparation of ground is going for
ward for melons in the southern belt.
The Florida canteloupe acreage is
expected to be larger this season.
The general tendency for increased
crop acreage is reported from all
over the territory and the truck crops
are good but growing too rapidly.
The cold spell the last few days is
retardng development The Georgia
pimento pepper acreage extends into
many new counties.
Grain Crop Doing Well.
The grain crop in North Carolina
is doing we'll. 1t has been helped in
Tennessee by the snow. South Florida
is now planting corn.
Florida is expected to plant cotton
earlier this year than usual. The Sea
Island territory in Georgia reports in
dicate. will go largely into short sta
pie cotton this season. Indications are
for an increase in the southern por-
tfon of Georgia and decrease in
acreage in the upper third of the
state. Farmers appear undecided
whether to plant peanuts or cotton
The newly devasted weevil territory
in North Carolina is expected to in
crease the peanut acreage.
Irish potato planting is we'll ad-
vance in Florida, Georgia and Ala
bama. Probable increase in the sweet
potato acreage is indicated in upper
Georgia and South Carolina. Smaller
amount of potatoes are in storage
than last year in most of the south
eastern states.
Mere Tobacco Acreage.
Damp weather suitable for prepar-
ing tobacco for market is reported
from Tennessee. Preparation for seed
beds for the coming season is COM
pleted in the extreme south. and now
going on in the upper sections. A
considerable increase in the bright"
tobacco territory is taking place in
Georgia, mostly of an experimental
nature.
The condition of citrus groves is
reported excellent Fruit is moving
nicely but cooler weather is needed.
Good yields of strawberries from
Florida. lower Alabama and Georgia
are reported. The crop Is unusually
advanced in most of the territory
with large increase in acreage in
Georgia