221 The Dawn of a Ne w Constructive Era 



This condition met and the system of rotation and fertiliza- 

 tion practiced as already mentioned, then the problem of forage 

 and ensilage crops becomes easy. 



According to Mr. Perkins of the Federal Live Stock Exten- 

 sion, soja beans and corn and sorghum are the ideal and eco- 

 nomic ensilage crops for Louisiana. The cut-over lands unaided 

 would hardly produce a profitable tonnage in corn, sorghum, or 

 soja beans, say five to seven tons per acre, compared to ten to 

 fourteen tons on the better lands of the state. This will about 

 hold true with sorghum, cane and other forage and ensilage 

 crops of the state. However, these yields with soil improve- 

 ment may be approached if not equaled on much of the cut-over 

 regions. 



The conditions of climate, mild winters, ample rainfall, long 

 growing seasons, etc., are splendidly met in all the cut-over pine 

 regions of the South, and with these natural advantages in our 

 favor, why may we not remove the minor difficulties and build 

 Other Natural ^P ^ profitable cattle and hog industry throughout the cut-over 

 Advantages pit^^ regions of the South? The Morris packing plant to be 

 built in this city even now calls for such an industry. And his- 

 tory teaches that without a live stock industry no system of 

 agriculture can become permanently profitable, for "live stock is 

 the strong right arm of agriculture." 



Briefly and in conclusion, Mr. Chairman, the ideal of eco- 

 nomic de\'elopment, which I would love to see come to these 

 76,000,000 acres of idle cut-over lands, if practicable, is some- 

 thing like this: 



First — Survey and classify as indicated, ascertaining by ex- 

 perimentation their best economic use, forest or agriculture, and 

 so locate and designate them as definite information. This 

 would separate all lands into two general classes, viz. : absolute 

 forest lands and absolute agricultural lands. The agricultural 

 land might be further classified then as to the kind of crops it 

 were best to grow. The absolute forest land then to be refor- 

 ested with the best suited, most needed, rapid growing species, 

 and so kept scientifically and permanently in forest supply. 



Second^Colonize, selling in small farms to bona fide, thrifty 

 farmers — home and agricultural community builders — at a price, 

 based upon productive value, with enough of the forest land 



