Six Steps to Successful North Carolina Farm, April 9, 1919

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., April 8, 1919

Be Ye Steadfast, Says County Agent

In April more acres of land will be planted to crops in the Southern states than in any other month in the year of 1919. A great campaign for a reduced cotton acreage and increased production of food and feed has been conducted by all forces. Not all the cotton reduction plans, not all the newspaper publicity, not all the speeches made on this subject have exactly suited everybody but that isn’t the main thing. The main thing is, are you going to stick? All the talk will be of no avail unless the object is actually accomplished.

As long as the world thinks there is plenty of cotton and as long as its movement is still interrupted by war conditions, we shall be in a difficulty which ought not to be increased by too great an acreage. The answer to our troubles will be given in the month of April between the plow handles and in the seed box of the planter.

Many of us have said, “Reduce acreage and feed yourself” when it was not half as popular as it is now. We are interested not only in this year but in all the future. Our one ambition is to see Southern farmers permanently prosperous. That prosperity depends almost entirely upon a well-balanced, permanent system of agriculture with the eternal cotton gambling cut out. Every farm, big and little, should be on a self-supporting basis, and the market system must be rearranged so as to supply the Southern city and town population with food products from Southern farms.

No farmer should forget either his promise, the sacredness of his word or his good faith in this huge undertaking. The plan depends upon mutual good faith and full cooperation. April will tell the story. Do not forget the acres of corn, hay, feed for cattle and hogs, and a good garden. Our Safe Farming Program, our ticket for home, our permanent insurance against speculation is as follows:

First—A home garden for every family in the South to supply the home needs for the maximum number of days in the year, with a sufficient surplus to be canned, stored or dried for future use, including an ample supply of Irish and sweet potatoes and wherever possible, a small patch of cane or sweet sorghum to produce home syrup.

Second—The production of corn on every farm sufficient to maintain the family and the livestock in ample food and feed for a year.

Third—Produce the hay and forage necessary to amply supply the livestock on the farm for one year with an excess for the sake of safety. Special attention should be given to the summer legumes, velvet beans, cow peas, soy beans, and peanuts, especially for feeding purposes.

Fourth—Produce the meat, eggs and milk for every family on the farm. This means the production of hogs, cattle and poultry and the care of keeping good family cows. Livestock is necessary in order to eat up the otherwise waste products of the farm and convert them into cash.

Fifth—Produce your cotton on a moderate acreage, well prepared and well tended. Secure the best seed of the very best varieties.

Sixth—Plan to meet all family and farm expenses from the surplus products of the farm outside of the cotton crop, and to have in the fall of 1919 a good supply of laying hens, at least two milch cows for every family, hogs in the lot to fill the family smokehouse during the winter, potatoes either in the bank, the cellar or the storehouse for winter’s use, canned or dried vegetables and fruits, and a barrel of molasses for the family; a crib of corn sufficient to last until the next crop is made, with good storage facilities for protecting same, and ample hay and forage for the livestock.