FARMERS & CONSUMERS Tommy /rv/n, Commissioner Georgia Department of Agriculture Market Bulletin Volume 61 PUUJ KecMe Gardening Begins Early In 1975 Gardening, like so many endeavors, doesn't succeed because we want it. Successful gardening is the result of a well-planned series of actions plus close attention to detail, persistence and a willingness to work a few hours each week. Too many would-be gardeners or to study to see if they have a proper location for the plants. Regardless of whether you want to attempt to grow fruit trees, roses, azaleas, boxi woods, vegetab'les, or herbs, there are specific environmental requirements to .succeed with a given plant type. Fo/example, determining (Our guest columnist this week is Troy Keeble, District Agent-Chairman, Metro-Atlanta District, Cooperative Extension Service, 3951 Snapfinger Parkway, Decatur 30032.)__________________ whether or not you have sufficient sunlight for tomatoes and beans or sufficient shade for azaleas or boxwoods should be one of your first determinations. Gardening is the working together of man and nature to bring about necessary conditions for the growth and development of plants. Economists are predicting an everupward trend in prices of most every item we use each day. A garden 15' x 25' properly located and handled could produce a continuous supply of vegetables from April through December with plenty left over for canning or freezing. Here are some average figures on a garden plot of this size. Seed will cost around $9.30, fertilizers and pest controls $15.00, rototillering the soil $5.00 (can be eliminated if you hand spade), already started plants $10.00 (for an early start). Total value of the vegetables produced is estimated by present economic standards to be around $284.00. This means that you can save about $240.00 which is a very realistic figure. Just as importantly, why not involve the whole family or if space is available, undertake a joint or cooperative garden with neighbors, friends, or relatives. Wednesday, January 8, 1975 Number 2 Farm Production Cost Survey The U.S.D.A. will conduct a nationwide survey in early 1975 to provide a comprehensive and up-todate body of information outlining farm production costs. Representatives will begin contacting state farmers in late January. The survey, nationally, will reach a cross section of producers with from 50 to 5,000 acres or 20 to 1,000 cows. Questions will concern producers' outlays for labor, power and equipment, fertilizer and chemicals, irrigation, dairy feed and other similar costs. All responses by producers will be confidential and only state, regional, and national summaries will be published. UJtaiOo Sweet 8