Georgia agriculture [1963]

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Statement from Commissioner of Agriculture Phil Campbell Georgia Georgia Firsts and Facts State Government Table - Dams and Lakes Graphs - Georgia Cash Farm Income - 1941 & 1961 Agriculture Ranked with Other States Table - Ten Leading Counties in Certain Agricultural Products Main Agricultural Products
Truck Crops Cotton Tobacco Peanuts Hogs and Pigs Cattle and Calves Commercial Broilers Chickens and Eggs Forestry and Forestry Products Wheat Corn Peaches and Pecans

Page 1 o~
4_6
7
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13
14-15 ig_ ,7 18-19
20_21 22-23 24-25 26-27 28-29 30-31 32_33
04 35-37

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
In compiling this publication, information was obtained from several sources. Historic information was secured from publication of Lucein Lamar Knight, late Historian of Georgia. Populations figures and some of the agricultural data were obtained from or based upon the U.S. Census, while other agricultural data came from records of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Information on dams and lakes was furnished by the U. S. Corps of Engineers, the Georgia Power Company and the Clerk to the Crisp County Commissioners. Photographs were obtained from the Lilliston Implement Company, the J. I. Case Company, the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, the Georgia Experiment Station and the Cotton Producers Association.

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Revised Edition November, 1963 Published by the GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Phil Campbell, Commissioner
Atlanta, Georgia

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Georgia Crop Reporting Service Statistical Reporting Service U. S. Department of Agriculture Athens, Georgia

In Cooperation with
Agricultural Extension Service College of Agriculture University of Georgia Athens, Georgia

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ABOUT THIS BOOK

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Many of you have made requests to the

Georgia Department of Agriculture for information

about your state and the county in which you live.

Much of this desired information is published in a

statistical form that is difficult for you to use to the

best advantage. It is the purpose of this publication

to present in a readable form some of the more

important happenings in Georgia agriculture.

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This publication deals primarily with Georgia's agriculture, including easily understood map graphs and narrative summaries about each of Georgia's principal crops. However, some other historical and governmental information is included for easy reference,

It is our hope that you will use this publication to

learn of your state's agricultural resources which have

made Georgia a major agricultural state during its entire history. Use it to supplement

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your study of Georgia history that has been closely bound to the soil since the days when

"Cotton was King" to the present when we have emerged into a truly modern, diversified

agricultural state.

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If you would like more information about your particular county, individual leaflets
are available on each county in Georgia from the Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Building, Capitol Square, Atlanta, Georgia, or the Crop Reporting Service, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.

Phil Campbell Commissioner

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Atlanta's $10,000,000 State Farmers' Market


GEORGIA

Georgia, named for King George of England, was the last of the thirteen original colonies. It was founded by General James Edward Oglethorpe on February 12, 1733. It was then inhabited by various tribes of the Creek and Cherokee Indian nations with the original area including land from the Atlantic up between the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers from whose headwaters it extended to the South Seas. In 1783 the western boundary was changed to the Mississippi River and in 1802 the Chattahoochee River was established as the western boundary of the State.

Under an act of March 15 , 1758 the colony of Georgia was organized into eight

parishes: Christ Church, St. Matthew, St. George, St. Paul, St. Philip, St. John, St.

Andrew and St. James. By act of March 25 , 1765 four more parishes were added:

St. David, St. Patrick, St. Thomas and St. Mary. When Georgia became a state in 1777,

the parishes were converted into seven large counties. One was called Liberty, to

commemorate the patriotism of the famous Midway settlement, while the others were

named for English champions of Colonial rights: Burke, Camden, Chatham, Effingham,

Glynn and Richmond. Wilkes was the eighth county added in the same year. The state

now contains 159 counties second in number only to Texas. Under the State Constitution

of 1777 the first Legislature met in Savannah; but this city was never the official state

capital. In December, 1778 Savannah was captured by the British and from then until

1784 the Legislature met at Augusta with the exception of two terms , one of which was

held at Heard's Fort in Wilkes County and the other at Ebenezer in Effingham County.

Augusta was made the first official capital of the State in 1786; but was succeeded by

Louisville in 1795. In 1806 the seat of state government was moved to Milledgeville

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and lastly to Atlanta in 1867.

>- Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River; the land area is

37,429,120 acres or 58,483 square miles. It lies between 82 and 87 west longitude

and 31 and 35 north latitude. The altitude varies between zero on the coast to 4,768

feet at Brasstown Bald in Union County. The climate is temperate with an average

"freeze free growing season" of 290 days at the coast decreasing gradually northward

to 190 days of "freeze free growing season" in the extreme northeast. Average daily

maximum temperature for the warmest month (July) ranges from 85 in the extreme

northeast to about 93 in the warmest areas. The daily average summer minimum

ranges from near 61 in the north to 73 on the lower coast. Average annual rainfall

ranges from a maximum of more than 70 inches in the extreme northeast to less than

45 inches; in the east central part of the state. The average for the majority of the state

is in excess of 53 inches. The state is divided into two major soil areas on a line

approximately through Augusta and Macon to Columbus , the upper portion of the state being the Southern Appalachian Region and the lower portion being the Atlantic and

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Gulf Coastal Plain. In these two major areas are included eight soil provinces with

soils ranging in types from deep phase sand to heavy clays with sandy and clay loams

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between these extremes.

According to the 1959 Census of Agriculture over one half of the land area was devoted to 106,350 farms which was the smallest number of farms since 1900; but the average size was the largest of the same period. The average value of farm land and buildings almost doubled between 1945 and 1950 and increased in 1955 to almost three times the value ten years earlier. In 19 62 Georgia led the nation in the production of commercial broilers , peanuts , velvet beans , pimentoes and pecans . Annual naval stores

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s?e^cnonnHd in tthhe pro?ductiorn of? sug8arPc6arnCeenstyruf pthaendnaltuipnin'Se ssueepdpl,yt'hirIdn ianddthiteiopnr,oditucrtainoknedof

flue-cured tobacco and watermelon and fourth in cantaloups. In 1914 Georgia ranked

second only to Texas in cotton production with 2 ,718 ,000 bales from 5,157,000 acres

The estimates of October 1, 1963 are for a crop of 600,000 bales from 644,000 acres

Phenomenal changes have occurred in the agriculture of the state. In 1924 the cash'

farm income was $209,145,000 which shrunk to $68,508,000 in the midst of the de-

pression in 1932 and reached a peak in 1962 of $831,064,000. In 1924 crops accounted

for 86.8 percent of the cash income and even though the income from crops in 19 62 was

more than twice the 1924 amount crops accounted for only 44. 7 percent of the total The

greatest expansion was in the poultry industry, particularly commercial broilers , which

was negligible prior to 1934 and by 1956 accounted for about one fifth of all sales In-

come from other livestock enterprises , particularly dairying and beef cattle, made' tre-

mendous gains in the period from 1924-1956. Mechanization and the standard of living

on farms have also made tremendous strides in the 15 year period from 1940-1954 as

evidenced by the following comparisons: tractors 9,327 to 88,118; trucks 21 693 to

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au tomobiles u

77<049

to

m,020;

farms

with

electricity

43,958

to 152,360;

farms

with telephones 8 ,473 to 36 ,500; farms with running water 15 ,823 to 85 ,767.

The first census , taken in 1790 , showed a total population for the state of 82 548
f,ern^lClaSSified aS follows: 13<13 free white males 16 years of age and upward' 14 044 free white males under 16 years , 25 ,739 free white females , 398 other free persons
on, i^ tlT83' ^ 18 t0tal PPulation h^ nearly doubled and by 1850 had reached ' ' uTtal PPulatin in 1950 was 3,444,578 of which 962,435 resided on farms
631,895 whites and 330,630 non-whites. The white farm population is almost one third
less than the number in 1925 and the non-white farm population is less than one half the number in 1925.

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GEORGIA STATE CAPITOL, ATLANTA

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GEORGIA FIRSTS AND FACTS

Georgia was one of the original thirteen colonies and was one of the first four states to ratify the Constitution.

The first state agricultural experiment station was founded in Savannah in 173 5 The oldest orphanage still in service in America is Bethesda, near Savannah, opened in 1740. Bethesda, meaning "House of Mercy" served as a hospital during the War Between the States.

Georgia's first Baptist minister, Daniel Marshall, was arrested for preaching

at Kiokee, near Appling, Columbia County, nearly 200 years ago on the charge that his

doctrine did not conform to that of the Church of England. Kiokee, Georgia's oldest

Baptist Church, Churches.

which was

established in

1772,

is the birthplace of all Georgia Barptist

Georgia was a leader in providing higher learning at public expense and was the tirst to charter a state university--the University of Georgia in 1785.
In 1793, Eli Whitney patented the first cotton gin, which he invented. This gin was placed in operation near Washington, Georgia.

Georgia was the first state to grow cotton for commercial use. .Tkefirst successfully Perated cotton mill in the South, the Bolton factory, was built in Wilkes County, Georgia.

Launcelot Johnstone, a Georgian, perfected the process by which cotton seed oil could be made from previously discarded cotton seed.

On May 20, 1819, "The Savannah" was the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean. It departed from Savannah, Georgia en route to Liverpool, England
. QO Jhe krst ^ilroad in America was built on a plantation near Savannah, Georgia in 1820. The cars were horse-drawn. This railroad operated for 46 years

The first General Hospital for Negroes in the United States was opened in Savannah, Georgia in 1832.

The first passenger train in the world came to Augusta, Georgia in 1834. The first gold mining operation of importance in the United States was at Dahlonega, where a U. S. government mint was located from 1838 to 1861.

Wesleyan College at Macon, Georgia, was the first chartered college in the world for women. It opened in 1839.

The first use of ether as an anaesthetic was in 1842, when Dr. Crawford W. Long performed an operation in Jefferson, Georgia.

1844 THe flrSt iCG manufacturin machine began operation in Columbus, Georgia, in

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The Rt. Rev. John James Hunt, who was born at Athens, in 1810, is distin-

guished for three "firsts. " He was the first native Georgian to be ordained to the

ministry of the Episcopal Church in his state, he was his church's first missionary

to Atlanta, and in 1847 he became the first rector of the present Cathedral of St. Philip

in Atlanta.

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States^ 18?4 Gergia instituted the first state department of agriculture in the United

Bauxite, used to manufacture aluminum, was discovered in Georgia in 1887

Georgia Congressman Tom Watson secured the first federal appropriation for Rural Free Delivery m 1893. This service was placed in operation in 1896

On March 2, 1912 the Girl Scouts of America was formed in Savannah, Georgia,

by Juliette Low. Her childhood home in Savannah has been purchased by the organization and will be made a National Girl Scout Center.

The first woman United States Senator was Mrs. Rebecca Felton of Cartersville

Georgia She took office in 1922. She was appointed by former Governor Thomas W

Hardwick. Georgia

was

the

first

state

to

require

biroth

registration.

Georgia was the first state to declare that married women have full property rights S > The first Protestant Sunday School in America was founded in Savannah.

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GEORGIA FIRSTS AND FACTS

What is thought to have been the first golf course in the United States was laid out at Darien, near the southeastern coast of Georgia.

The first County-owned hydroelectric plant is in Crisp County, Georgia.

The largest solid granite body inthe world is Stone Mountain and is located near Atlanta, Georgia.

Bainbridge is the birthplace of the automatic bottle washer, and has the only plant of its kind in the South.

A rural telephone line serving a section near Americus, has begun drawing its

power from a solar battery. It is the first commercial telephone service of this type to

be installed. Bell Laboratories expect enough electricity to operate eight telephones.

The power unit is a boxlike "solar Battery. " It has cells covered with silicon which

pick up the sun's rays and convert them into electric energy. Some of the power will

go into the telephone line. Some of it will go into storage batteries for use after sunset.

America's first Prop-Jet Transport airplane is in quantity production at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Marietta.

Fort Benning and Lawson Army Air Field are located 9 miles south of Columbus.

Fort Benning is the world's largest infantry training school, the reservation covering 185, 000 acres.

In Charlton County lies a part of Okefinokee Swamp, one of the greatest submerged areas in North America, exceeded in size only by the Everglades of Florida and the Dismal Swamp in Virginia.

The Wren's Nest, the former home of Joel Chandler Harris in Atlanta, received

its name when a wren built hes.nest in the mailbox and, rather than distrub her, Mr.

Harris built another mailbox. Mr. Harris is remembered as the creator of the "Uncle Remus" stories.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, late President of the United States., made many visists to Warm Springs, where his home was known as the Little White House.

The 898 acres of tree-shaded squares and parks in Savannah, a city which a-

bounds in historic houses and monuments, are an extension of the original ground plan

designed by General James Edward Oglethorpe, who founded the Colony of Georgia in

1733.

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A Civil War cannon, believed to be the only double barrelled cannon in the world,

is preserved in Athens. The cannon proved impractical, as firing of the barrels was

not synchronized. The cannon balls, which were chained together, broke apart and carried only a short distance.

Rock City Gardens, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, are located atop of Lookout

Mountain in Georgia. It is one of the most popular tourists attractions in the state.

Georgia Warm Springs Foundation was established in 1927 as a sanitarium and hospital at Warm Springs to aid those suffering from the after-effects of infantile

paralysis, and a training center for professional workers in the treatment of poliomyelitis after-effects.

From January 1 through June 30, 1956, employers whose workers are insured

under the Georgia Employment Security Law paid a total of $1, 124, 797, 569 in wages

and salaries. This was an increase of $181, 413, 719 over the same period of 1955

and the highest number in the State's history, according to Ben T. Huiet. This amount was paid to 712, 810 covered workers.

At the end of December, 1956, Georgia had 995, 500 non-farm wage earners, the

highest number in the State's history, according to Commissioner of Labor Ben T.

Huiet. The yearly average was 971, 000. Factory workers in Georgia received weekly
pay checks of $61. 81 in the month of December. The weekly average for 19 56 was $57.17.

One of the largest herds of registered purebred Shetland ponies in the South is

now grazing on pastures of the old Dickson farm near Sparta. The farm is primarily a cattle ranch, and the owners say they raise the ponies for their own pleasure.

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ROCK EAGLE

The Rock Eagle 4-H Club Center, located on the shores of a 110-acre lake in Putnam County near Eatonton, Georgia, is a three million dollar facility of the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Georgia, dedicated to helping the youth and adults of Georgia have a better way of life. Included in the Center are 54 cottages which will house 954 people, 7 educational-assembly buildings, an airconditioned auditorium which will seat more than 1,200 persons, a dining hall where 1,200 persons can be fed in an hour's time, a lovely chapel and a giant swimming pool
CENTER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION
In Athens is located the University's Center for Continuing Education devoted specifically to adult education. Made possible by a grant of $2,500,000 by the W K Kellogg Foundation and $900,000 from the State of Georgia, the Center includes 300 bedrooms, private and public dining rooms, a large auditorium modeled after the UN General Assembly room, 25 conference rooms, television studios, film, photographic and sound laboratories, art department, library and exhibit lounge. During its first year of operation the Center was visited by over 50,000 people from every state and 14 foreign countries -- attending conferences, short courses and non-credit programs and addresses.

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University's New Science Center at Athens

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STATE GOVERNMENT The State Capitol of Georgia is located in Atlanta.

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The Governor is elected for a period of four years and cannot succeed himself.

The Lieutenant-Governor is elected for four years and is the President of the State Senate. The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer over the House of Representatives and is elected by the House.

The Secretary of State, Comptroller General, Attorney General, State Treasurer, Superintendent of Schools , Commissioner of Agriculture , Commissioner of Labor and the five members of the Public Service Commission are all elected for a term of four years .

There are seven judges of the State Supreme Court and six judges of the State Court of Appeal, all elected for a term of six years.
The Georgia Legislature consists of 54 Senators and 205 Representatives elected for a term of two years . One Senator is elected for each State Senatorial District and the number of Representatives in each county is determined by the population of that county. No county in the State can have more than three Representatives.
The minimum voting age for Georgia citizens is 18 years. A voter must be a resident of the State for at least one year and a resident of the County for at least six months.

Georgia has twelve members in the Congress of the United States; two Senators , elected for a term of six years , and 10 members of the House of Repre-
sentatives , elected for a term of two years.

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GEORGIA CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS

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GEORGIA CASH FARM INCOME - 1924 Total $209, 145, 000 (No Government payments)

Livestock and Products
$27, 579, 000 Percent of Total 13. 2%

Crops
$181, 566, 000 Percent of Total 86. 8%

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Other Livestock .2%

9 GEORGIA CASH FARM INCOME - 1962

Livestock and $440, 761,

Products 000

Total

$831,

064,

000

(Including

Government

P ayments) Crops

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Percent of Total 53. 0%

$356,603,000

Percent of Total 42. 9%

Government Payments

$33, 700, 000

Percent of Total 4. 1%

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Georgia leads the nation in its production of Naval Stores and t.

one of the leading states in pulpwood production. (1) and (3) Fine

stands of Georgia pines (2) Pine pj pared to produce rosin (4)

and (S) Crude gum as it comes fi

ines

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Crop

GEORGIA 19b2 PRODUCTION FOR CERTAIN CROPS COMPARED WITH OTHER STATF.S

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Fifth

Broilers

Georgia

Arkansas

Al abama

North Carolina Mississippi

Peanuts

: Georgia

North Carolina Virginia

Texas

Alabama

Cowpeas

:Texas

Ok 1 ahoma

Georgia

South Carolina Mississippi

Velvet Beans

: Georgia

Alabama

Florida

Lupine Seed

South Carolina Georgia

Florida

Pecans (Improved)

Georgia

New Mexico

Al abama

Mississippi

Louisiana

Sugar Cane Syrup

Louisiana

Georgia

Alabama

Mississippi

Crimson Clover Seed Oregon

Georgia

Alabama

Tennessee

Mississippi

Tobacco (Flue-cured) North Carolina

Pecans (Seedling)

Texas

South Carolina Georgia

Ok 1 ahoma

Mississippi

Virginia Georgia Arkansas Louisiana

F1orida Alabama

WatermeIons

Florida

Texas

Georgi a

Ca 1 ifornia

South Carolina

Cantaloups

Cali fornia

Arizona

Texas

Georgia

Indiana

Peaches
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Ca1i fornia

South Carolina Georgia

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

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THE TEN LEADING COUNTIES IN GEORGIA IN PRODUCTION OF CERTAIN CROPS AND IN VALUE OF PRODUCTS SOLD

Cotton 1/
Tobacco 1/
Peanuts 1/ Corn 1/
Wheat 1/ Improved Pecan
Trees 2/

First

Second Third Fourth

Burke

Dooly Colquitt Lau rens

Colquitt Coffee Berrien Lowndes

Early

Worth iiller Mitchell

Bulloch Colquitt Grady Early

Jefferson Houston Madison Hart

Dougherty Mitchell Lee

Crisp

Fifth

Sixth

Bartow Worth

Pierce Tattnall

Calhoun Terrell

Thomas Laurens

Dooly Franklin

S umte r Macon

Seventh Eighth

Ninth

3ulloch Jefferson Emanuel

Tift

Bulloch

Cook

Decatur Randolph

Dooly

Mitchell Decatur Tattnall

Peach

Washington Crisp

Thomas

Calhoun Peach

Tenth Johnson Appling Tu rner Brooks Macon Lamar

Peach Trees 2/ Cattle 6 Calves 2/

Peach Sumte r

Crawford Macon Heriwfithpr Houston Taylor

iitchell Colquitt Thomas

Screven Macon

Upson Early

Spa1 d i ng Dougherty

Bihh Coffee

Washington, Laurens

Hogs S Pigs 2/ Chickens , 4 mos. 6
older 2/

Bull&ch Hall

Coffee Union

Laurens Greene

Colquitt Cherokee

Grady Fulton

errien Brooks Chat tooga Walker

I rwin Forsyth

Screven Th omas Whitfield Grady

Field Crops 3/

Colquitt Bulloch Jorth

Burke

Mitchell I rwin

Coffee

Early

Dooly

Tift

Vegetables 3/

Thomas

Fruits S Nuts 3/

Peach

All Crops 3/

Colquitt

Dairy Products 3/ Poultry 6 Poultry

Putnam

Products 3/

Hall

Other Livestock 6

Livestock Products 3 Sumter

All Products 3/

Hall

Grady M a c o n

Brooks Crisp

Baldwin Dool Z-

Crawford Meriwether Houston Dooly

Bulloch Worth

Tift

Mitchell Coffee

Morgan Monroe Sumt er

Jenkins Jas pe r

Forsyth Cherokee Whitfield Jackson Franklin

Doughertr Mitchell Bullo>ch Grady Screven

Colquitt S umt e r Coffee Bulloch Cherokee

Turner

Colquitt Heriwethe: Macon

Taylor Burke

Washington Bibb

I rwin

Dooly

Upson Early

Newton Wilkes

loyd.

Bihb

Habe rshan White

Gwinnett Lumpkin

-Colquitt Laurens Thomas

Cnffpp

Forsyth Worth

Hitchel1 R u r k p

9/ ^Q1^1031 RePrtin8 Service - Production Estimate (1961). 2/ 1959 Census of Agriculture - Number on Farms.

3/ 1959 Census of Agriculture - Value of Products Sold

Vegetables Sold from Georgia Farms 1959

(U. S. Census Reports)

I dot : $20, 000

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VEGETABLES

Georgia has made considerable progress in recent years with its upward trend in

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both production and quality of its vegetables. Home gardens have decreased rapidly

due to the declining farm population.

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Volume of vegetables processed, especially frozen products, has increased.

Some vegetables grown in Georgia, such as pimientos, edible cowpeas, okra, squash and several leafy greens are not produced in substantial volume in other sections of

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the country. Much of the nation's supply comes from Georgia's production.

Prices received for Georgia-grown fresh market vegetables has increased steadily

in recent years as growers improved quality. Georgia, in 1944, led the nation in

watermelon, pimiento pepper and sweet potato production. It continues to lead in

pimiento pepper and ranks third in watermelon production.

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The 19 20 Census of Agriculture showed 244,000 farms growing vegetables for home use and sale compared with only 86,000 farms in 1959. Value of vegetables sold in Georgia in 1962 is estimated at $20, 313, 000.

A wide variety of soils and climatic variations enable Georgia to grow many vegetable crops. Early spring vegetables in southern counties provide a good source of farm income. Major crops grown are watermelons, tomatoes, cabbage, snapbeans, squash, okra, turnip greens and sweet corn. Further north, watermelons, cantaloupes, pimiento pepper, edible cowpeas and turnip greens are grown in volume.

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corrai Acreage Harvested in deorgia 1961 (Georgia Crop Reporting Serrioe)
1 dot - 1,000 Acres

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COTTON
Cotton has been a mainstay of Georgia agriculture for more than a century and a half. Though it no longer is King of Georgia agriculture, it is still the most important cash crop, bringing in about $100 million in new wealth to the state each year.
The first cotton estimates, in 1866, listed 805,000 acres producing 246,000 bales A decade later, 2 million acres produced 509,000 bales valued at $22.9 million Cotton truly was King from 1900 to 1920. In 1914, Georgia farmers harvested 2.7 million bales from 5.2 million acres. The value was $121.8 million. By 1918, the 2.1 million bale crop was valued at $37 5.5 million.
But a seriously reduced yield because of the boll weevil onslaught dropped the value in 1921 to only $7 8.7 million. The boll weevil invasion was particularly disastrous in middle Georgia.
Introduction of calcium arsenate to control the boll weevil started a gradual recovery for cotton growers. It was 1936 before the pre-boll weevil record yield of 267 pounds per acre was exceeded. During this period, the cotton economy was virtually destroyed in many counties.
The depression of the early 30's added to the cotton farmer's woes. A drought lowered 1932 yields. Acreage controls and price support programs helped increase the price, though prices reached 20 cents only after the beginning of World War II The price averaged 40.06 cents in 1950 for a post-weevil record high value of $204*. 5 million
T ,J^emfte income sources and controls since 1950 have caused a decline in acreage In 1962, 535,000 bales were harvested from 692,000 acres with a record high of 443 pounds per acre set on a government-reduced acreage of 381,000.
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Cotton production is declining in importance in the state but is still "king" on a number of farms (1)

Mechanical cotton picker. ing lint from seed.

(2) Georgia cotton field.

(3) Hoeing cotton by hand.

(4) Cotton egiinn sseeDpaarraat-

TOBACCO-rUJE CURED Acreaga Htrreited in Georgia 1961
(Qeorgim Crop Raporting Serrieo) 1 dot 300 Acrei

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TOBACCO
Georgia produces two varieties of tobacco in commercial quantities -- bright leaf or flue-cured used primarily in manufacture of cigarettes, and shade tobacco used in wrappers for cigars. The latter is confined to Decatur and Grady counties while flue-cured production is concentrated in south central and southeast Georgia.
Tobacco acreage increased in 1919 under the stimulus of war-inflated prices. Prices varied widely until the Federal Government's production controls and price supports became effective in the mid-30's. Prices averaged 57 cents a pound in 1917 but only 6.7 cents in 19 31. Prices now are more stabilized and favorable under very rigid acreage controls.
Today, tobacco is the second most valuable crop in Georgia. This has been possible because of the very favorable prices received for the much sought after Georgia tobacco varieties and increased yields per acre through selective use of land, improved varieties, better cultural and fertilization practices, irrigation and other technological improvements.
A record high yield of 1,965 pounds per acre was set in 1962, resulting in a record high crop value of $86.9 million. Most of the flue-cured tobacco is grown in 44 counties in Georgia. Georgia usually ranks third behind North Carolina and South Carolina in flue-cured tobacco production.
The crop is sold at auction markets which normally operate in July and/or August. Tobacco counties quickly feel the effects of golden leaf in their places of business.
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Acreajs rioted and Throahod in Oeorela l?6l
(Georgia Crop Reporting Serriee) 1 dwt 1.000 Acres
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/ PEANUTS
Peanuts are Georgia's newest major crop. Georgia leads the nation in the production of peanuts. The search for alternate sources of income when the boll weevil began ravaging the cotton fields caused increased interest in peanuts about the time of World War I. Acreage jumped from 40,000 in 1916 to 314,000 in 1918.
Farmers throughout the state tried to grow peanuts but low prices of the 30's discouraged planting except in the most productive areas. With little fertilizer used and the peanut plants, as legumes, supplying their own nitrogen, the crop drained other plant foods from the soil. But improved fertilizer and cultural practices now have corrected this situation.
Government price support programs helped improve and stabilize peanut prices. World War II stimulated demand -- with acreage above one million from 1942 to 1948. Highest total production and value was in 1948 when over 818 million pounds were valued at almost 87 million dollars. Control programs have limited harvest of peanuts to around 500,000 acres since 1952. The price has remained near 11 cents a pound.
Peanuts were harvested 20 years ago by mule-drawn plows, stacking, natural curing and picking. The crop's harvest now is mechanized. Tractors plow them up, they cure above ground for about five days. A pickup harvester lifts and separates nuts from the vines.
In 19 62, Georgia produced almost one-third of the nation's total peanut supply. Production is concentrated in southwestern counties. The 1959 Census of Agriculture ranked Early County fourth in acreage planted to peanuts of all U. S. counties. Worth ranked sixth and Terrell 15th. Georgia placed 38 counties among the top 100.
20

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HTTM* lefdS the T'^JI" 1th6 Production of Peanuts. (1) Mechanical picker separating vines from nuts as M (3)FTie^ ld ofipneganwultnsd.rowed Plants ln the field. (2) A shaker-windrower lifts plants, shakes to remove dirt.
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HOGS AND PIGS
Hogs and Pigs on Georgia Farms 1959 (U. S. Census Reports)
1 dot = 1, 000 hogs and pigs

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HOGS AND PIGS

More than 80 percent of the 310,000 farms in Georgia in 1920 had hogs and pigs. Value of pork consumed on farms where produced in 1924 -- first year of pork consumption estimates -- was $14.3 million of the total value of $19.2 million. By the late 30's, sales about equaled home consumption. Since then, sales have surpassed value of home consumption each year. In 1961, the value of pork consumed on the farm where produced was estimated at $12 million out of the approximate total value of $67.6 million.

The highest number of hogs in Georgia was reached in 1919 when 2,350,000 hogs valued at $17 .50 each, had a total value of $41.1 million. Values declined during the depression to $3.40 a head for a total of $4,855,000 in 1933. But by January 1, 1959, value had climbed to $25.90 a head.

On January 1, 1963, a total of 1,519,000 hogs was valued at $36.5 million. Georgia ranked 10th nationally in the production of hogs, highest of any non-Corn Belt state.

Hog production in Georgia in 1962 amounted to 394 million pounds of meat. Of

this, approximately 83 percent was sold, averaging 16.4 cents a pound for total cash value of $54,37 5,000. Thus, Georgia ranked 13th in production and 12th in sales

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Today, swine production has become more specialized. More hogs are produced

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of 8 to 10 pigs each per year.

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CATTLE AND CALVES Cattle and Calves on Georgia Farms 1959
(U. S. Census Reports) 1 dot z 1, 000 cattle and calves

Milk andMCILrKeamANDSoCldREfAroMm Georgia Farms 1959 (U. S. Census Reports)
1 dot : $50, 000

CATTLE AND CALVES
Specialization has become widespread in Georgia's cattle enterprises since World War II. The family milk cow now is a rarity. Even dairymen buy their milk in cartons and use creamery-cultured buttermilk. Until the late 40's the family cow was commonplace on Georgia farms.
On January 1, 1963, Georgia ranked 27th among the states in number of all cattle and calves and 29th in number of milk cows .
In 1920, there were 1,157,000 head including 408,000 milk cows. All cattle were valued'at $43 million with milk cows accounting for $24 million.
Cattle numbers change in rather definite cycles. In Georgia, after the 1920 peak the next peak was in 1935 with 1,100,000 and then in 1955 with 1,627,000. The January 1, 1963, inventory of 1,495,000 averaged a value of $104 each and totaled 155.5 million dollars. Estimates included 221,000 milk cows valued at $142 each or a total of $31.4 million.
Prior to 1900 , value of cattle averaged less than $15 a head. It reached $41 in 1919, declined to $12.30 in 19 33 and reached a peak of $124 in 1952.
In 1935, Georgia farmers milked an average of 372,000 cows during the year. The decline'in family milk cows resulted in an average of only 203,000 being milked in 19 62 Sales of milk from farms in 19 35 amounted to 31 percent of the production, and in 1962, sales of milk amounted to 86 percent of the 62 million dollars value of all dairy products .

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COMMERCIAL BROILERS
Commercial Broiler Production I960 (Georgia Crop Reporting Service) 1 dot z 600, 000 broilers

BROILERS
Georgia leads the world in the production of commercial broilers.
Fried chicken, a Southern delicacy for years, has graduated into Georgia's largest farm enterprise. Georgia's commercial broiler industry started in the mid-30's and continued to grow during and after World War II.
Contrast the hen's hatching of chicks with today's modern incubator with a or 4,C0nh,i0n0n0nCcahpiacCkistyinfa10si'n0g0le0 heogugSse'. Some broiler houses now have 40 or more brooders
Many factors aided in development of Georgia s broiler industry. Some of these include the furnishing of feed and baby chicks to farmers by feed dealers, control of pullorum, development of specialized broiler breeds and improved feeds.
Compare 1940's broiler - 14 weeks to reach 3 pounds on 3-plus pounds of feed per pound of meat - with today's - less than 9 weeks to reach 3 pounds on about 2 pounds of feed per pound of weight.
In 19 34, Georgia produced 400,000 broilers valued at 19 cents a pound. Peak price was reached in 1948 (33.9 cents a pound) and production was high in 1962 with 353,600,000 birds, and cash farm income from commercial broilers in 1962 exceeded all other commodities totalling 168 million dollars. Total value of $171,206,000 was highest in 1960. Georgia has led the nation in broiler production for 12 consecutive years.
T, 1BQril!,r Production is concentrated in North Georgia, centered around Gainesville. The 1959 Census of Agriculture ranked Hall, Cherokee and Forsyth 8th, 9th and 10th among all U.S. Counties in chickens sold. Georgia placed 24 of the top 100 counties in broiler production throughout the nation.
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Georgia leads the nation in broiler production. (1) Houses for growing broilers. (2) The chickens ready for market are being loaded on a truck for transportation to processing plant. (3) Incubators for the hatching of broiler chicks. (4) Processing plant with assembly line method of handling birds
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Eggs Sold from Georgia Farms 1959 (U. S. Census Reports)
1 dot = 100,000 dozens

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CHICKEN AND EGGS
Georgia's chicken and egg enterprise in the past decade has made such tremendous advances that it is threatening to rival the state's fabulous broiler enterprise.
Prior to 1940, nearly all farms had small flocks used for both egg production and meat.
Georgia had 4.5 million chickens on 19 5,000 farms in 1900. About the same number of farms reported 5.9 million chickens four months old and older in 1940 but 190,000 farms had fewer than 100 chickens. The 1959 Census of Agriculture showed 11.9 million chickens on 65,7 00 farms. About 61,000 had fewer than 100.
Georgia's Crop Reporting Service on January 1, 1963, estimated 17,428,000 chickens on farms. Egg production in 1962 was estimated at 2, 583 million with an average value of 43.8 cents a dozen for a total value of $94.2 million.
Georgia was late in developing its commercial egg production. It probably was not self-sufficient in egg production until 1957 . Before 1957, eggs were shipped into Georgia from the middle west. Development of meat breeds to supply eggs for the broiler enterprise and egg breeds strictly for egg production led to the decline of the dual-purpose flock. Egg breeds could lay more than 200 eggs per year so the farm flock no longer could compete.
Farm flocks now are a rarity. A number of commercial layer operations have more than 40,000 hens. Several have more than 100,000. Georgia, now an egg-exporting state, ranks fourth in value of eggs produced. The 1962 value is expected to rank second behind broilers among all agricultural enterprises in the state.

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FORESTRY PRODUCTS (see illustration on page 10)
Many changes have occurred in Georgia's forests since the state was first settled. Initially, land had to be cleared for homes , gardens and fields for crops. Disposal of cleared timber was a major problem. Now timber is one of the state's principal crops.
Until a generation ago, wood was the most important fuel for heating and cooking in Georgia homes. In the early 1800's sawmills were developed to process previously wasted raw materials into lumber. In 1899 , there were 1,010 industries manufacturing lumber and timber products. The nearly 20,000 wage earners surpassed any other industry. Products were valued at $17.8 million, nearly as much as manufactured cotton goods.
The turpentine/rosin (now called gum naval stores) production developed as one of Georgia's first industries. By 1899, 524 firms were engaged in naval stores production employing more than 19,000 people. Production was valued at more than $8 million.
The pulpwood industry began in the early 1930's when Dr. Charles Herty developed processes for using Southern pine pulp in making paper board and kraft paper.
Four species of pine -- longleaf, slash, loblolly and shortleaf -- furnish the backbone of the Georgia lumber industry. Smaller amounts of hardwoods such as oak, poplar and sweetgum are used for lumber. Sweetgum and poplar also are used in making veneer, an important component of plywood, baskets and wire-bound boxes.
Georgia's lumber industry reached its peak from 1946 to 1953. More than 2 billion board feet were cut into sawlogs in 1953. Delivered at the sawmill, its value was about $91 million. Sawlog value rose from $13.17 in 1940 to $48.50 per thousand board feet in 1957.
Georgia produced 47,000 cords of pulpwood in 1935. Production has increased almost every year since then. Value of the 4 1/2 million cords averaging $16.20 a cord in 1960 totaled more than $71 million at local delivery points. Pulpwood in 1940 was a $3-million crop -- at $4.15 per cord.
Pine gum (gum naval stores) is derived from longleaf and slash pines. Production is concentrated in south central and southeast sections. Grooves or streaks are cut through the trees' inner bark in the spring and a cup collects the rosin as it flows from the wound.
Pine gum production peaked in 1908 when 3,580,000 standard barrels were produced. Highest value of the crop -- almost $28 million -- was reached in 1946. Highest value per barrel came in 1960 -- $40.40 each. Pine gum is processed in turpentine and rosin (used primarily in paper sizing to produce the slick finish).
Value of Georgia's three principal forest products (logs for lumber, pulpwood and pine gum) was estimated at $161 million in 1960. Georgia is the leading producer of gum naval stores , accounting for about 80 percent of the nation's supply. It is also one of the leading pulpwood-producing states. The state's 12 mills have a capacity of 8 ,692 tons of pulp per 24-hour day.
(see illustration on page 10)
30

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PDLPWOOD PRODUCTION 1961 (Forest Service DSDA) 1 dot - 3,000 Cords

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NAVAL STORES Hunter Faces 1961 (Forest Service DSDA) 1 dot 50,000 Faces


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WHEAT Acreage Hai-rested in Georgia 1962 (Georgia Crop Reporting Service)
1 dot 200 Acres

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Georgia's climate is not particularly favorable to wheat production. Possible insect damage prevents planting until late fall or early winter. Spring rains encourage development of rust and other fungus diseases which reduce wheat yields. Varieties have been developed which overcome some of these disadvantages, making possible better yields for the past few years.
Harvested wheat acreage in Georgia reached a peak of 520,000 acres in 1876 but declined to only 93,000 in 1908. World War I flour shortages stimulated plantings but acreage declined again to only 28,000 acres in 1930. The depression and World War II both spurred interest in wheat growing so that by 1942, 233,000 acres were grown.
It was 19 26 before as much as 11 bushels were harvested per acre. This has gradually increased to the 27 bushel all-time high set in 19 61.
Prior to mechanization, wheat harvesting was laborious and time-consuming. At the turn of the century, it was an accomplishment for a man to harvest an acre a day with his cradle. Steam-powered threshing machines separated the grain from the straw. The mule-drawn harvester removed a great deal of the drudgery.
Harvesting now is accomplished by combines which cut the stems of the grain, separate grain from the straw and place the straw on the ground. With the larger selfpropelled units, one man can harvest 30 to 40 acres a day. It now seems almost impossible that 520,000 acres of wheat were harvested in Georgia in 187 6 entirely by hand labor
32

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CORN Acreage Planted for all Purposes
in Georgia l?6l
(Qeorgia Crop Reporting Service) 1 dot 1,000 Acres

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CORN
Corn is more widely grown than any other Georgia crop, Each county has some acreage.
Yields were very low, averaging 14 bushels or less per acre until 1948. Hybrids developed in the Corn Belt were not adapted to Southern areas due to lack of adequate shuck coverage and softness of grain which resulted in serious weevil damage.
Hybrids better adapted to Southern conditions have now been developed. With improved fertilization, cultural practices and mechanical harvesting, yields of above 20 bushels per acre have been recorded every year since 1954. A record high average yield of 35 bushels per acre was set in 19 61.
Georgia's most valuable corn crop was harvested in 1917 when 59 ,080,000 bushels were valued at $103,390,000.
Most of Georgia's corn crop formerly was used as feed on the farm where produced. Before 1950 sale of corn scarcely ever exceeded 10% of the total production. Sales increased as corn became a more profitable crop. In 19 61, sales were estimated at $31,321,000, representing 40 percent of the value of the entire crop harvested for grain. In 1962 the crop was rather short with a yield of 30 bushels per acre and 64,973,000 bushels harvested.
Government production controls and price supports had little affect on corn production in Georgia prior to 19 60. No program ever was statewide. The feed grain program began in 19 60 as an emergency measure. It continued through 1961 and 19 62. This resulted in decreased acreage and, except for bumper crop in 19 61 decreased production.
Georgians relish corn in their own diets whereas it is considered a livestock feed crop in the Corn Belt. Corn on the cob, creamed corn, cornmeal, hominy and hominy grits all make wonderful dishes with which many of our Northern neighbors are not familiar.
34

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Development of the state's peach industry. Though there were more than 7 1/2 million trees m 1900 , it was 1920 before any commercial movement was recorded.

In their search for alternate income sources , between 1920 and 1930 , a number of Georgia farmers turned to peaches. There were nearly 15 million trees in 1925- and more than 8 million bushels were sold with an average price of $2 per bushel for a total crop
niUnnn I I? J**^?*' The next year' 10 million bushels were harvested, but nearly 800,000 bushels were dumped because of low prices - -$1.25 a bushel. Crop value was only $11.5 million.

Peak average price per bushel was $5.25 in 1943. Highest value was over $21 million in 1945. World War II stimulated prices - - and neighboring South Carolina began setting out trees. By 1946, South Carolina exceeded Georgia's production for the first time. California, long a leader in peaches for processing, began shipping more fresh peaches than Georgia about the same time.
Peaches , once grown in a broad area about the center of the state, now are concentrated in a dozen counties . In the 1959 Census of Agriculture, Peach County ranked 9th in the nation m peach tree numbers. Crawford stood 16th and Macon 18th

PECANS
Pecans , a tree nut, probably grew wild when the first white settlers came to Georgia, interest in pecan production was stimulated by the discovery and propagation of improved varieties" , usually larger with a thinner shell than the seedling pecans.
of * InnrSSt ln P6CanS hSS been Particularly keen in the Albany area. There was a quarter of a million nut trees in Dougherty County in 1920, and nearly 600,000 pecan trees in 1925-
LmtrTftr f thS Stat6'S t0ta1' DUgherty CUnty StU1 ranks &St in *e nation in

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treeS are found in almo^ every county, but They are concentrated in Southwest Georgia.

Production in 1961, was 78.6 million pounds valued at $14.4 million. The 1962 crop

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Peaches Number of Trees in Georgia 1959
(U. S. Census Reports) 1 dot : 10, 000 trees
Crawford--450, 000 trees
Peach--860, 000 trees

37

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