Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-01
MARKET GARDENING.

This is the land par excellence for market gardening. Birmingham affords ready market for everything in the shape of fruits and vegetables. The soil of Jones' valley is admirably adapted to the growth of any vegetable that will grow in the temperate zone. An acre of average land will produce 300 bushels of Irish or sweet potatoes. Such vegetables as asparagus, celery, cabbage, collards, lettuce, radishes, turnips, etc., grow in the greatest profusion. The early delica- cieS of the season, such as strawberries and raspberries, are grown quickly and without extra trouble. Many of the mar ket gardeners are now cultivating the blackberry, which grows wild in the woods and fields, and in summer affords food without money and without price.
 A reporter of the State Herald was de- tailed to visit a farm near East Lake and write up what he saw for the readers of the industrial edition. The East Lake dummy dine runs seven miles out from the city and within half a mile from the farm. On the way the reporter saw the market garden of Mr. Dobbins who has accumulated fortune, and who recently made donation at one time of $6000. The model farm of MT. Morris at East Lake is a beauty. The bright sun that warmed the air to temperature of 50 degrees never looked on fairer scene. It was a winter day, yet the air was balmy and bracing. On every side were seen evil dences of thrift and contentment The fantail pigeons flew down from their mammoth cote and spread out their plumage like an open fan, as they basked in the genial sunshine. A gaudy peafowl strutted to and fro, and the sunbeams gave brighter hue to his gaudy plum age. The barn yard was alive with the best breeds of poultry. Every modern convenience was found around the house. Over in the meadow strayed hnr of ha orr SC tUQ q q green, and was reflected in the clear water of the stream that courses through the meadow. In the large garden were seen various vegetables that had grown through the winter, and each day were sent into the Birmingham market.
 Just above MT. Morris is the fine dairy farm of MT. Wilson. He has fine herd of Jerseys, Durhams and Holsteins. His herd thrive during the winter with very little food except that which they graze in the meadow. A large spring of clear water is near the house, and it is shaded by large oak trees and picturesque rocks The large dairy at the spring is made of brick, with a concrete floor. The churn is run by water power, and hydraulic ram forces the water to the house. Just above this farm is MT. Riddles fine dairy farm, and not far off Is the dairy of MT. Glass-in fact, the valley Is full of dairy farms. MT. Glass has a separator, centrifugal machine which separates the cream Tn a SClentlHc IndHleT. Ile uIlhSS his milk to the city In glass jars.
 It is noticeable fact that these market gardeners, dairymen and stock raisers do not raise cotton, corn or wheat, but make a good living from their speciality. In olden times a farmer looked on his gar den, dairy and stock as side issue, but now it is the main issue. Stock can be kept with little expense all through the winter. The woods and fields are covered with the wild white clover, called 1eip- sadaisa, which grows luxuriantly all the year round, and affords fine grazing for stock This clover was not known in the south before the war. The seed was brought south during the war in the hay which the federal soldiers brought with them to feed their horses. and failing on the fertile soil of the south it took root and grew with remarkable luxuriance and spread with astonishing rapidity. It is a great boon to the south. It com pensates for the loss of slaves and the ravages of war. It Is an offering from the red angel of war to the white-winged angel of peace.
 The farmers have realized the advanta- ges of this section for stock raising, and every year they raise more stock. There are two packing companies in Birming- ham and they largely buy their live stock in the home market.