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Story
July 5, 1897
The Topeka State Journal
Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas
What is this article about?
The city of Macon, Georgia, operates a 60-acre farm producing oats and hay to feed its 50 mules and horses, saving over $3,750 annually under superintendent W. Lee Ellis, who manages it with minimal costs using city stock and waste.
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A COMMUNISTIC PLAN.
[From the Macon, Ga., Telegraph.]
It is not generally known, but nevertheless it is true, that the city of Macon runs one of the most profitable little farms in the state of Georgia. It covers 60 acres and is planted in a single crop-oats. All the land enclosed by the mile track is planted in this cereal and some 20 or so acres in addition are under cultivation. The crop this season is nearly ready to cut, and something like 2,500 bushels is the result. The harvesters will start to work before the end of the month. These oats would cost the city not less than $750 if had to be bought.
This is not all, for two cuttings of hay will be made from this same land, which W. Lee Ellis, who is in charge, estimates will produce something like 3,500 bales, which would cost the municipality easily $3,000.
The city has more stock to feed than is generally considered. Taking the fire department, the sanitary squad, the street force and all, not less than 50 mules and horses must be fed by the city, and all of this provender raised under Farmer Lee Ellis' supervision is a direct saving.
Mr. Ellis, in speaking of the matter, says: "The cost of operating the farm is practically nothing, except for the labor needed in plowing, planting and harvesting. The stock must be kept anyway and with the number needed to do the city's work all that is necessary in the cultivation of the crop we raise can be done when the animals would be idle if not thus employed. We use all the fertilizer made by the city stock. Outside of that we have spent this year just $40 for the commercial article."
From a measured acre of the city land last year there was cut at a single cutting 5,400 pounds of fine hay. This was after a 40 bushel crop of oats had been harvested and early enough to make certain another cutting of hay before frost. Up to the time that Mr. Ellis began to cultivate the city farming lands it had been the custom to rent it out for $5 an acre. Its annual product now is estimated at something over $60 an acre.
[From the Macon, Ga., Telegraph.]
It is not generally known, but nevertheless it is true, that the city of Macon runs one of the most profitable little farms in the state of Georgia. It covers 60 acres and is planted in a single crop-oats. All the land enclosed by the mile track is planted in this cereal and some 20 or so acres in addition are under cultivation. The crop this season is nearly ready to cut, and something like 2,500 bushels is the result. The harvesters will start to work before the end of the month. These oats would cost the city not less than $750 if had to be bought.
This is not all, for two cuttings of hay will be made from this same land, which W. Lee Ellis, who is in charge, estimates will produce something like 3,500 bales, which would cost the municipality easily $3,000.
The city has more stock to feed than is generally considered. Taking the fire department, the sanitary squad, the street force and all, not less than 50 mules and horses must be fed by the city, and all of this provender raised under Farmer Lee Ellis' supervision is a direct saving.
Mr. Ellis, in speaking of the matter, says: "The cost of operating the farm is practically nothing, except for the labor needed in plowing, planting and harvesting. The stock must be kept anyway and with the number needed to do the city's work all that is necessary in the cultivation of the crop we raise can be done when the animals would be idle if not thus employed. We use all the fertilizer made by the city stock. Outside of that we have spent this year just $40 for the commercial article."
From a measured acre of the city land last year there was cut at a single cutting 5,400 pounds of fine hay. This was after a 40 bushel crop of oats had been harvested and early enough to make certain another cutting of hay before frost. Up to the time that Mr. Ellis began to cultivate the city farming lands it had been the custom to rent it out for $5 an acre. Its annual product now is estimated at something over $60 an acre.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
Fortune Reversal
What keywords are associated?
City Farm
Macon Georgia
Oats Crop
Hay Production
Municipal Savings
W Lee Ellis
What entities or persons were involved?
W. Lee Ellis
Mr. Ellis
Where did it happen?
Macon, Ga.
Story Details
Key Persons
W. Lee Ellis
Mr. Ellis
Location
Macon, Ga.
Story Details
The city of Macon runs a 60-acre farm in oats and hay, yielding 2,500 bushels of oats and 3,500 bales of hay this season, saving $3,750 in feed costs for 50 city animals, managed efficiently by W. Lee Ellis using idle stock labor and waste fertilizer, increasing value from $5 to over $60 per acre.