COTTON 135 



THE FARM A FACTORY FOR FARM-MADE MANURES 



Naturally every farm produces some manure. 

 But as the factory-farm is ordinarily run, only a 

 small quantity is annually produced. Too little 

 is made to meet the wants of the cotton farm. 

 Something is wrong with the factory management, 

 else more manure would be made. 



Live-stock increases the efficiency of the factory. 

 We will go further and say that live-stock com- 

 bined with any system of farming will lead not only 

 to permanent improvement of the land but to the 

 highest efficiency in the management of the whole 

 plant as well. This suggests much. It means 

 diversification; it calls for a rotation of crops; it 

 increases the animal stock on the farm; it demands 

 greater skill in management; it means business 

 farming. And with it all, it means manure. 



What becomes of cotton seed now ? You bury 

 them in the soil for fertilizer, or you sell them ; but 

 how few cotton farmers feed them, and thereby get 

 two profits one from feeding and one from fer- 

 tilizing! And by neglecting to save one of these 

 profits the Southern farmer annually wastes enough 

 for a King's ransom. 



Plant food is always disorganized material. 

 Decay must come before plants can feed. Animals 

 on the other hand, can use only organized material. 

 Hence, is it not better to feed cotton seed or their 

 equivalent in meal, and get the feeding value out 

 of them ? After this they may be returned to the 

 soil in the form of manures. By this practice 

 nothing is lost and much is gained. We like to 

 buy fertilizers in the form of feeding stuffs, pass 

 them to the cattle, and from them back to the soil. 



