y ** .5 °< \ ^°-^t. *v;,\^S '> \< ,**^ C5 ^ o > ■ ">^ ^ * C N ^ V iV . -.A r-.; .^ . %./ ^^- \/ ;^>^''- V/ .:^^ "^.^ v^ ^^ * O N ^ ^^ > ,-^^'^'-^:v A ^^ . , .. , G^ \!> <. -■.t. %. '"•'.^° ^ -"^^ ,.^ 4 o. *5 r> ^^r,- "-^^ .*'' / V^' "-^^ ^^•n^ 6^ * O « "^ '.o<^- !■> ■'. U A^ ^!^ 1/ C^^,^^^<. Cu^U^-fLiy^.^^^'^''' Help for the Hard Times Important to Farmers Take Note Published and Distributed under the auspices of the Extension Department of the Tusketfee Normal and Industrial Institute, Tusketfee Institute, Alabama a \ I have asked Prof. George W, Carver to make a careful study of the condition and needs of the farmers in Macon and surrounding counties and to publish some- thing that will be of immediate and practical help to the farmers in this section. It will pay, in my opinion, for every man interested in farming, whether a large farmer or a small farmer, to read carefully the suggestions which Prof. Carver has made. If these suggestions are followed, even in a slight degree, I believe that the result will be that prosperity and happiness will come to many farmers who now feel depressed and discouraged. If the farmers will follow the advice given by Prof. Carver, instead of the present low price of cotton proving a drawback it is going to prove a permanent blessing to all the people. If additional copies of this circular are needed, they can be secured in small or large quantities by applying to this institution. Booker T. Washington, Principal, Tuskegee Institute, Alabama. APR 24 1916 Important Things to be Done in February, March and April Now is the most important time of all to lay a good foundation for a prosperous year in the matter of food supplies, and providing for a little ready cash at all times. This can be done by having a good garden, a few fowl well cared for, a pig or two, and always being on the alert to take advantage of the mxny little opportunities to make a few dimes as they present themselves to you from time to time during the year. February The first essential is a good garden; one cannot real- ly estimate its value in dollars and cents. A well kept garden should furnish directly and indirectly one-half of the food supply of the family, besides going a long way toward keeping the family healthy. With a little intelli- gent effort every person can have a good garden. Begin now by hauling out leaves, rich earth from the woods, and muck from the rich swamps. Spread this on the ground at least six inches deep; spade or turn under with a plow to a depth of eight or nine inches; spread on another layer of rich earth-leaves, etc., in the same way, except to every two loads of leaves, muck, etc., mix one of barnyard manure; plow again just deep enough to cover the manure up well; rake or harrow thoroughly, and begin »planting the following: Irish (white) potatoes, HELP FO'n^ HART) TIMES English peas, Onion sets and shallots. Sow Early Jersey Wakefield, Extra Selected Charlston, Improved Early Drumhead, aad Early Flat Dutch cabbage seed; Parsnips, Beets, Spinach, Carrots, Lettuce, Radish, Mustard, Parsley, Egg Plants, Pepper, and Tomato seed should be planted in boxes in the house, hot-beds, cold frames, or protected places. About the middle of the month plant a jaatch ©f •arly corn. March Make another sowing of — English peas. Cabbage, Cauliflower. More Onion sets. Shallots, etc., may be planted. Also plant-- Collards, Corn, cow peas. Peanuts, Okra, Squash, Cushaws, H ELF FOB H4RV TIM MS Cucumbers, Pumpkins, Watermelons, Cantaloups, Parsnips, Carrots, Radish, Lettuce, Parsley, Snap and Lima beans. Sweet potatoes should be beddeJ. April Replant all the seed of last »9nth tkat madtt a pmoY stand. Set — Cabbage, Egg plants, and Tomatoes in open ground. Have tin cans, boxes, ©r paper hoods ready to turn over the tomatoes and egg plants, in case a late frost should make its appearance. In this way early tomatoes can be had. Cotton seed may be planted. Ways to Make Money First — Of the many ways to keep a little cash coming in with a considerable degree of regularity, the following are the most important: Twelve good hens and 1 rooster well cared for will not only furnish the family plenty of eggs, but enough for setting and a surplus to sell, Chickens, both old and young, can be sold at all times, and chickens hatched now always bring a fancy price just as soon as they reach the broiling or frying stage. HELP F0% HARD TIMES The Rhode Island Reds and Barred Plymouth Rocks have been the most satisfactory all-pur- pose fowl with us. Select either of these breeds you wish, and give them good attention, and you will be surprised at the income they will bring you. 3eCOnd — There is always a demand for early cabbage, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, and egg plants. All of these are easily grown in hot-beds, cold frames, or in boxes in sunny windows. Third — Lettuce, parsley, radishes, and onions are easily grown in the same way as above descri*bed, and at this time of the year will sell readily. Fourth — Light wood from fat pine trees and stumps sell readily, as well as good dry wood. In many places there are large quantities of old dead trees going to waste that would make excellent wood and kindling, which would sell without any trouble if cut and brought to the market. A few hours a week spent in this way will bring surprising returns. Fifth — Home-made shingles, fence palings, baskets, horse collars, quilts, rugs, shuck mats, axe, hatchet, hoe, and fork handles can be sold if made well, and a reasonable price asked. The same is true with the many styles of home-made lace and fancy work. Sixth — Nearly everyone prefers home-canned and home- preserved fruits and vegetables to those put up in a commercial way, and anyone doing this ar- tistically and cheaply would command patron- age. This includes Ive hominy. HELP FOU HARD TIMES Seventh— Have one or two hogs. They can be raised, beginning in April with pigs, to maturity with practically no cash outlay, by giving them all the slops and refuse vegetables from the garden, plus the weeds, etc., that grow in such abundance everywhere. Home-made sausage is a luxury, and all one has to do is to let people know they have it to sell. The demand here is never satisfied. Much the same is true of souse, hog's-head cheese, scrapel, pig's feet and ears, chitterlings, together with a fine lot of choice lard and cracklings. I have said nothing about the value of a good cow, taking for granted that she is out of your reach just now, but make your plans to secure one at the earliest possible date. If given the proper care she will furnish at least half the family's living. These are only a few of the many ways of becoming thrifty and self-supporting. Begin at once to put some of them into effect; others I am sure will suggest them- selves to you. (Signed) G. W. CARVER, Director Dept. of Research and Experiment Station, Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. Friatetl by Tuske^ef Students from funds supplied by The Ash Fund, established in memory of Mrs. Ellen L. Ash v.* RD -2.29 o. ^ >^'^^ ^-^ '^X. a> .^-^ '^ c' ? a V ^f,* r, . y 4 o o- * « " ■< ,^' ■Mm^^ <^ fi^S SV^' ^,< ^k^' ^ '^^ -^ -^.^ ^e^ .-(^ .\^^f] -V V. "onO^ ,v ^p- ,\ -^^-o^ r V .^^ •*^^. X IBS BROS. RY BINDING i 79 UGUSTINE ^- ^ FLA. ^ ^32084 ^ . . s^ .-•' ^0- 0*^ Ifi LIBRARY OF CONGRESS DDDE7734S^S