Newspaper Page Text
Ciut i'i.Ait No. 10. )
Third Series, j
CROP REPORT
FOIL TIIE MONTH OF JUNE, 1891.
Returned to the Department ok Agriculture, June 1, 1801.
State ok Georgia, Department ok Agriculture, >
Atlanta, Ga., June 0, ls'Ji. /
GENERAL REMARKS.
The reports for June are not altogether as good as we would have
them to he. The present condition of the crop is largely due to the
late Npring and the drought that followed. The present status is
about as follows:
CORN.
The acreage in corn is about 105, but the condition is only 89 as
against 97 for the same date last year. An increase of 5 per cent, in
area, hut a falling oil'B per cent, in condition. This may be very
sp lily changed if the rains continue to help the hot June sun
shine.
OATS.
This crop somewhat relieves the outlook, for while the acreage is
only 85 per cent, the condition is 73 per cent. A falling off of 15
per cent, in area, hut an improvement of 15 per cent, in condition
with comparative freedom from rust.
WHEAT.
There was only 70 per cent, sown as compared with last year £
which means a very small area, but the condition is 91 and free
from rust. Gn at pity a full crop was not sown.
COTTON.
Tins all absorbing crop seems to be in a condition to ha file all
calculations. The area is reported as 90 per cent, and the condition
h> per cent. This seems to indicate a greatly reduced crop. Rut
no very safe calculations can he based upon crop of cotton before
June sunshine and July and August rains have done their work.
But it is safe to say we need not look for another 8,000,01)0 bale crop.
Sugar cane, potatoes and melons all promise well.
PEACHES.
There can no longer he any doubt as to the fearful injury to this
important crop. The improvement from May report is only 2 per
cent.
GRAPES.
This important crop should receive more attention. Full of
pleasure, health and profit, larger areas should he planted.
TOBACCO.
The increase from 85 acres in 1890 to 1053 acres in 1891 shows
that the public attention is being directed to this very profitable
crop. The new method of drying will work a revolution in tobacco
culture. It is far more profitable than cotton.
We again respectfully urge correspondents to make up reports
from 28th to 30th of the month, and mail them on or before the Ist.
This is very important. A few days often makes great changes in
crop conditions. Cooperate with us cheerfully, and we will try to
do you good.
We put in this report some valuable receipts, which farmers and
g&rdtntrs will do well to preserve.
ZMlonltor
AVERAGE FOR THE SECTIONS AND STATE.
l If C £ •"
§ 2 £ •£ -,; -
a .-3! 5r < _• j
5“ ,BcC C.fcfi f ' f ! 5 2
C ->> - ~ /. _ - t £ y zz ? t J -
•E = i * 5 c = z cj £, u' - s? §
't3 T 3 u s 4 S € i X. < w < ?- 4. - >
w ■ ? S = x f 4i f ~ ,
_ - 7; r * - 2 * t. o t x. t a
*t! s■ 5 u - Z Z Z S = - -r _ L - t
: a s -.- ; ; - =; 2 5 - A • 7 a t
o |- - - - 1a 1 - < _ ■ j
■ 1 iTsn ST* : - Mlo' 11| 12 13; 14 15 d; l• I' i '’ £.
North Georgia 97 76 5 100' 7 83 81 «" 90: 91 97) 100 100 85 lOiXi 44<* 40 00 40 .8
Middle Georgia 86 70|11 M 6 83 80 91 92 83 100 .. 90 90 1275 200 28 68 » 1
Southwest Georgia $3 73 30 99 :i> 72 82 90 92 To si 7S S 3 90 94'* > 410: 23. M -> . A.
Southeast Georgia. 91 74 23 85 10 94' 7S 98. 92 70 :n 90 S 2 1050 t>o tt " k>
East Georgia 89 Till 80 15 77 83 89 88 81 88 90 83 88 815 532 • >•> « ; _
Totals(s) «...
Average, 1891 89 73 Hi 91 14 82 SO 90! 91 79 9:1 89 87 88 13570 1.1531 37 52 •« ;'2
Average, 1-90.. ,■■■ 97 58 42, 47,52 93 .93 95 97 90 98 i‘2 9.7 '->3 ' »5 -H 3. 58 -u
RECEIPT TO PREVENT BUD-WORMS INJURING CORN.
Get chloride of lime and copperas, desol ve in warmjwater and soak corn ox v r
night, using one pound of each to the bushel of shelled corn. Sprinkle corn
meal over the corn to dry it and help handle it. Besides preventing Bud
worms, this will prevent birds from pulling up the corn, and at the same time
cause the corn to come up very bold and grow off rapidly.
TO THE FARMERS.
For weeks past a drouth prevailed throughout the State, accompanied by
high, cold winds which, following the long continued and heavy rains of the
winter and early spring, parched and crusted the land to such a degree that
except on the lighter lands, and in instances where the preparation was very
thorough and the planting early, “ stands ” of both corn and cotton were very
imperfect and the general crop outlook very unpromising. In many cases re
planting was necessary, causing great delay, and a large amount oi extra and
expensive labor. Every practical farmer knows that poor “ stands ” cause im
perfect cultivation, for the plowman, in order to save every plant, is compelled
to leave a ridge or unbroken space on either side, thus giving the weeds and
grass a fine opportunity for development. Much of this subsequent trouble
can be overcome by rapid surface cultivation, or thorough pulverization of the
surface soil.
CORN.
Corn is so backward that, even in lower Georgia, much work is yet to be
done. As far as possible scrapes, sweeps, and what are knowu as cultivators,
or combination plows, should he used —running flat, and passing over the
crops rapidly. A well shaped scrape, with a small scooter, say 21 inches,
attached to hold the scrape in position, will throw just about enough dirt to
the corn, and will leave the lands flat and level as nature intended, and which
experience lias proved to he the true and proper plan. Deep preparation and
subsequent flat an.l shallow cultivation, other conditions being favorable, are
bound to give good results.
The almost universal rains of the latter part of the month have done much
to revive the drooping spirits of the fanner, ns well as instil new life into the
p. growing crops. Only a short time is left until the maturing of the crops,
and every movement should he made to count, until both corn and
cotton are “laid by.” Energy and pluck now will count wonderfully in
the final result. Continue to plant peas, millet and corn in the drill, for
. forage. For the latter, the rows should he about 38 inches apart, and the best
results have generally followed where the plants were about three inches in
the drill. If, from any cause, a farmer has failed to plant an abundance for
1 food supplies, let him supplement his already growing crops with these rapid
developing and early maturing varieties just mentioned. Let me urge that
3 closer attention he paid to the details of the farm. It is attention to these ap
parent trifles that swells the receipts and adds to the comfort of the farmer
and his family. The man who, on each trip to town, carries something from
his farm to exchange for needed articles, which cannot he raised at home, is as
a rule out of debt and is getting from his work an enjoyment wholly unknown
to his less thrifty neighbor, who depends on one crop for all his needs. If thin
l plan has been productive of good to the individual, why should it not bs
•xteudad to the masses ? Let us study the methods of our enterprisiug neigh-
bur, and where he fias b wu
adopt them unhesitatingly. Ti let us profit by those methods and
tion are worth all the finely g loss °ns, P>' u ed from every day ohserva
next six month* P decries which could be hurled at us for the
JXX£ Copy
If vou can spare the time and to,
it up deeplv and closely with "1 • ? m ’ aml have some land in good tilth, break
across the first plowing, orbed nm B ''°° ter ’ 1111,1 tben either rebreak ,iirf tly
a„tlv and plant a crop of j" tope,lwi th a straight shovel; fertilize aim.ul
and the seasons hein f forn - T L' crop will have ample time to
oi your experiment " 8 avora hle, you will be delighted with the yield
ifm'everySixteenSes^, m D ° n t Wail for rain > but go ahead. Open It. Vs
the slip, co'ver with dry eanh andinTsh 0 * h ° "T"" *
i rr be youn * iUmts w,n gro *
answer as far as possible.
* e I would be glad to receive his ’ b<> successml m an - v P artK ‘ uhl^
others not so fortunate. plans aud P‘ ll > ILsb tbem tor tbe beneul of
n „
I think i e the earnest attention °f mv fellow farmers to the im
portance ® ® ° n *-° kee P our boys at home when they grow up
-11 " 6 !f ip vounw ' d> * tbe citizens w e have lost since the war, by the
C< T !lm want of* ““1 80,1,8 We,t - we would have no need to stir our
sehes on P-Pu ation. And as a rule thev are the very best class.
Tb \ bral Tlf tW mbltl ° give their adopted homes
the benefi ~ , ener B>' and enterprise. Our annual loss through this
channe is mt > 'e. lad we kept them here what a mighty impulse they
would have gn 0 every branch of business, especially to improved fanning.
Thousands of our waste places would be dotted with beautiful and attractive
homes. Sehooto and churches would abound over all the country; and the
necessity which s now f orciug gQ many farmerg to towng anJ citieß WO uld not
be upon us. ia he thought and energy had been given to this subject
that has been wasted upon trying to persuade the European emigrants to
come among il, our condition would to-day be prosperous instead of lan
guishing.
Thousands of collars have been spent, and the time and talent of successive
legislatures ha\e een exhausted, on ways and means to induce immigration.
Men have'proposed to divide up their thousands of acres into fifty and one
hundred acre lots and give, or sell on cheap and accommodating terms, each
alternate section to the foreigner who would come.
But when our hoys grew up and wanted homes no State appropriation was
found ready to help them buy; no paid agent soliciting them to seMla here or
there, giving them all desired information as to the special advantages of this
or that section. No legislative brain has been taxed in this direction. Often
no land could be found for sale by these young men, except for cash and high
figures at that. I hey have not been kindly and generously assisted to get a
foothold and a start in their native State, lienee, when they have heard of
i the wondrous attractions of the great and growing West, and the ease with
which homes could be secured there, they have picked up hag, baggage ami
gone.
i The home instinct is strong in the human heart, and we should encourage
and foster it in our hoys aud girls. Encourage t hem to marry ami settle down
i to manly life in our midst. Help them by dividing our too large estates, and
i selling or giving them homes on living terms. Cultivate love of home aud
, State pride in them from their infancy. Cease grumbling at our lot; and
i above all, show them how to make home happy, by presenting them daily the
living type. If vou are careless and slipshod in your ways of farming, hard
pressed and in debt all your life, your boy will leave the farm as soon as he
can. But, if you make your cotton a surplus crop, by learning how to raise it
cheaper; if you raise your leading supplies at home; show yourself contented
and happy; pursue your calling with leisure and pleasure, your boy will settle
by you aud do the same.
If you make yourself a slave and raise your boy a slave, he will be a free
man when he grows up, and hunt another roosting place.
But if you lead a free and independent life on your farm, and surround
home with elegance and comfort, your boy will walk in the way his father
trod, and bless his race and honor his God.
IMMIGRATION.
This course pursued will largely solve the immigration question. A happy
and contented people, with peaceful and prosperous farms, will be so atlrac-
tive that g.nxl people seeking a better latul, wilt lively eoiue and be truh
w ;loome. And this is the kind of immigrants needed here.
We need and are ready to welcome home seekers, able and w illing to help
us build up our country and develop our resources.
As a thriftless, homeless class of mere workers, it is doubtful if the negro
wo lid be improved upon by the scum of Europe.
SH \LL GEORGIA BE REPRESENTED AT THE WORLD'S COLUM
BIAN EXPOSITION AT CHICAGO IN IS'C?
This is no idle question. It is upon us and we must meet it.
The query naturally arises, what good will it do us? Will the good to be
derived from such representation justify the outlay of time and money ? The
object in view will be to let the world know, i rho tee are, t efuir ire are, « us irhi
u f ha tr. The average man has no just conception of who we are. So persist
ent have been the misrepresentations of our tradueers, and so industriously
have they been circulated, that we are largely looked upon by the outside
world, as halt-civilized ruffians. The idea very largely prevails that it is not
safe to come among us. We are not known and recognized as a high t >ne<l
Christian people—civilized, refined and cultured. The world does not know
that we dispense a generous hospitality far ahead of other sections of this out
great and growing country.
We need to meet and mingle with the representatives of all nations and
other sections and teaeh them uho ue are. That we have no occasion to bow
the head in shame in any presence. That we are the equals of God’s people
anywhere—open hearted, generous, brave, hospitable, honest, industrious and
law-abiding. This exposition will offer us a rare opportunity to show these
qualities to the world.
WHERE WE ARE.
There is a prevailing impression that our clime is inhospitable; that Georgia
is largely a sickly marsh; that miasmas and microbes find here a congenial
home—in short, that our climate is too hot for comfort or health. We need
to let the world of home-seekers know that this is emphatically a mistake ;
that we have a climate peculiarly healthy and pleasant; that our nights arg
delightful even during July aud August; that we have mouutaiu atrjjml
water and sea breezes aud baths.
WIIAT WE HAVE.
Again, we should, by all means, have a fair and complete exhibit of our
mineral, manufacturing and agricultural products. Especially should we show
them what a wide range of fruits, vegetables, cereals and textiles we can grow
profitably. What a variety of soils and elevations we have, how cheaply a
man can live, and what sources of income he can find here.
We have never shown the world our agricultural products. Through the
alliances, clubs and granges, and individually, let us begin in time and get up
* exhibits from each county, showing its resources and capacities.
Forethought and concert of action will enable us thus to set before the
world an exhibit that we would justly feel proud of. Such an exhibit would
direct the attention of the best class of immigrants to the fact that we have one
i of the best sections of this great country.
If the farmers will take hold of this thing it will be the pleasure of this De
i part meat to render them every assistance in our power. We think the time
has come when the farmers should lead off’ in this matter.
> The expense would be so small in comparison with the go.nl to be gained
i that it should not deter us for a moment in undertaking this great work.
1 This is emphatically the age of advertising. And if we do not advertise we
1 will be left behind in the race of progress.
I I beg tliat the fanners will read and consider theso suggestions carefully,
J and act promptly and energetically.
I R. T. Nksuitt,
, Commissioner,
t
1 FOR SQUASHES AND CANTALOUPES.
3 A valuable preparation for gardens and orchards can be made by dissolving
one (able spoonful of commercial or crude saltpetre in one gallon of water.
* Sprinkle this solution on cucumbers, squashes, cantaloups and all similar
vegetables late in the afternoon ; and it will prevent ravages of the insects that
1 are so destructive to them. Pour a little around the roota of them, and also
r cabbages to keep off cut-worms.
This is a tine wash for the bodies of fruit trees. It is claimed that it will
prevent blight if the bodies of the trees are thoroughly cleansed with this
j solution early in the spring and two or three times afterward*, aud a small
._ quantity poured round the root*.