The age-herald., 1902-01-05
FARMERS PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR A PICKLE FACTORY Meeting Held to Discuss the Iowa GentIeman's Pro-
 position
ALL ARE ENTHUSIASTIC
lowans Will Be Given Planters An swer at Once and the Result May Be Another Industry
 for Birmingham.

The plan of the Iowa gentlemen to es- tablish a canning and pickle factory in Birmingham was given an impetus at a gathering of farmers held at the Com mercial Club yesterday morning at Il o'clock. A guarantee that fully 300 acres of land would be planted in cucumbers for the use of the factory was made by the farmers represented at the meeting.
 The question of erecting the factory was put up to the Iowa gentlemen with whom communication will be had without delay and it is probable that definite plans will be announced within the next few weeks.
 Fully 35 or 40 farmers from the county were present when the meeting was called to order by President Culpepper Exum of the club. Every section of the district was represented, and discussions were freely indulged in by the majority of those present.
 Stated Object of Meeting.
 Secretary Gibson stated that the meet ing was for the purpose of giving some definite information to residents of Iowa who were considering step looking to the establishment in Birmingham of a pickle and canning factory. He stated such an industry could be secured for the city if the farmers residing in the dis trict would give assurances that enough cucumbers would be raised to keep the establishment running throughout the year.
 MT. F. s. White, who first made mention of the Iowans plans stated that while in the western state some weeks ago he had been approached with proposition to establish a pickling plant. He said further that bids from two localities for the location of the factory had been re- ceived, but that Birmingham would be given preference If the plan should be encouraged by the farmers. He said the raising of hogs and cattle in the west had put it up to the South to furnish the world with pickles. To keep a factory running the product of at least 300 acres of land would be required. The price to be paid for the cucumbers would average probably 60 cents per bushel or $1 per hundred pounds.
 15O Bushels to Acre.
 It was further stated by Mr. White that the average production from an acre of land in Iowa was 15O bushels of cucum- bers per acre. each bushel being 56 pounds.
 MT. Peyton Graves of East Lake said he was sure such an industry was need ed in the district. He felt certain that 100 bushels of cucumbers per acre could be raised here At first he felt some doubt as to whether or not 1t would pay the farmers to raise the cucumbers, as the cost of cultivation might run to about $45 per acre. If they could be cultivated favor of the movement
 MT. J. c. Miller of West End said he had by means of irrigation raised two crops of cucumbers in one season, and thought this could be done on a more ex- tensive scale.
 Dr. A. s. Greene of Greenes valley and MT W. J. Stone of Leeds spoke in favor of the movement. Mir. Stone said the rais- ing of cotton was proving unprofitable, anyway. and the giving up of this crop should be the last thing to worry about. He thought that 200 or 300 bushels of cu- cumbers per acre could be raised.
 Should Have Guarantee. i, MT. W. J. Yam of Huffman thought the factory should be established before the farmers were asked to give up their pres- ent crops for an uncertain proposition He thought the farmers should be encour- aged to raise vegetables, but that they should have a certainty to figure on be- fore beginning to do so. When the price was named at 60 cents per bushel Mir.