By F.H. Jeter,
Extension Editor, N.C. State College, as published in the Charlotte Observer, Dec. 5, 1949
Years ago, there was a saying in North Carolina that the
sheriff never sold out a man who had plenty of corn in his crib. Major William
A. Graham, who served North Carolina so ably as one of its great Commissioners
of Agriculture, used to assert that this saying was true and that over a long
lifetime in that great reconstruction period when North Carolina was finding
itself and getting back on its feet, he found out the truth of the proverb. It
was perhaps another way of pointing out that with plenty of feed and food for
men and beast in the crib, barn lofts, smoke houses, pantries and other snug
storage places, a man and his family were secure against the onslaught of cold
and privation.
That’s a happy situation and the good farmer and his family
enjoys such a situation more often and more
completely perhaps than in North Carolina this fall. We have had our setbacks,
it is true; but if we look across the state as a whole we find that things are
in pretty good shape. Some good farming has been done this year. There is
accord in the state between all classes of people. Prices for farm products
have been fair—not good in comparison with the things we have to buy, but
reasonably fair. We are getting along all right; better than most, I would say.
That is not a matter for smug gloating or for any feeling of superiority but
rather a matter for devout thanks.
YADKIN COUNTY
In Yadkin County, the folks are thankful this fall for the
good yields of corn which they have housed. County Agent D.D. Williamson says
that 15 Yadkin corn growers produced over 100 bushels and that 25 others grew
from 75 up to 100 bushels per acre. The average yield for that county is much
better than in 1948 and the growers say that by increasing production per acre
they can grow their corn more cheaply and more economically. They do not have
to use so many acres to get the amount of grain they need on the farm.
These
released acres are being put to pastures, hay and small grain crops that are
not so costly to cultivate and are more easily handled with mechanical
equipment. Yadkin always plants a rather large grain crop but the growers were
delayed this fall due to the fact that the tobacco harvest was delayed two to
three weeks later than usual.
STANLY COUNTY
Charlie Barbee of Albemarle, Route 4, in Stanly County,
produced 129 bushels of corn per acre this year and has reported his yield for
consideration in the state corn growing contest for the piedmont section. Mr.
Barbee grew the NC 1032 hybrid and his corn was carefully weighed and a moisture
test made before the final yield was recorded. The Stanly farmer said his yield
would have been much better had it not been for that storm in the early fall
that blew down the corn so badly that a large amount of the ears were damaged
and had to be removed before the final weights were taken.
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