Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-08
COMMISSIONER |. ). LANE, En Route to the Southern Cotton tr Growers Association, - 7s .KS WITH A REPORTER nd Tells Something of the Future for Alabama and
 Her People.
.KS WITH A REPORTER

Hon. Heetor D. Lane, Alabama's con- missioner of agriculture, stopped over in Birmingham last night en route to Jack son, Miss, whither he goes to attend the
 meeting of the Southern Cotton Growers Protective association, which assem bles in
 that city tomorrow.
 MT. Lane has probably worked harder and contributed more to the success of this movement than any other man, and he is much encouraged with the outlook. The convention this week will be largely at-
 tended, perhaps the largest that has yet
 been held, and permanent organization will be effected before it adjourns. Every congressional district in the cotton grow ing states will be entitled to four delegates, and in addition to these each Of the states embraced in that territory will be allowed three delegates. The states thus entitled to representation are eleven in number, in- cluding the Indi,. territory, and are as follows: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee ana the Indian territory.
 Among the most important questions to be discussed at this meeting are the follow ing:
 Decreased acreage of cotton. The Hatch anti-option blll. Systematic organization 10 light specuIa- tors.
 Perm anent organization. Resolutions will likely be passed urging the farmers to decrease the acreage in cot ton and diversity their crops; to plant larger crops of corn. oats and other grain and to raise more stock. It is also very probable congress will be memoralized to pass the Hatch anti option bill, which prohibits spectators from dealing in futures in so tar as farm prod ucts are concerned.
 Several other important questions will
 also come up for discussion. ALABAMA COTTON CROP. In connection with this convention it is appropriate to say here that the Alabama farmers have already begun preparations for decreasing the cotton acreage and in- creasing the acreage devoted to grains. Com- missioner Lane stated to an AGE- E-HERALD reporter last night that the sale of fertilizer tags so far this season is not more than one-tenth as large as in former years. This would indicate that less cotton will be raised in the state this year than for some time. Mir. Lane said the farmers of the state are in much better shape than for several years, notwithstanding the low price at which cotton has sold during the season. They have come as near, if not nearer, paying their indebtedness as in former years, and have almost enough food sup plies to run. them through until another harvest. Had cotton commanded a better price nearly every industrious farmer would have been independent for this year.
 IMMIGRATION. MT. Lane has been devoting great deal of time the past few months 10 the imlni- grafton question. He, as is well known, has made two or three trips 10 the north- west in an effort to secure honest and in- dustrous families to come and settle in this state. In further conversation with the reporter last night MT. Lane expressed himself as very hopeful of securing large influx of immigrants from he bleak and cold northwest this spring. He said all that VI as necessary to bring them here was concerted action and systematic work. Ii tho railroads, land companies, immi- grafton societies and state authorities will all join in an earnest effort to Lrng people in to the state, said the commissioner, it won't be long until the tide will set in, thousands ofindustrious families will leave the less favored sections and come here to l live among us.
 MT. Lane said he had been iu almost every section of the United States, and mo- where did he find a country so favored as our own beloved Alabama. He said her climate, her people and her resources are not surpassed by that of any section. She has advantages over all other states in the union. Mr. Llne said be did not speak from mere sentiment, but from observa- tion and investigation.
 MT. Lane left on the Alabama Great Southern vestibuled limited train at 1o:55 last night for Jackson.