The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-21
John ". 0'Neill Co.
1.-THE AIR"

south, we find the whole country being
such crops as. cabbage and potatoes being
grown for northern markets. These are
the principal crops as grown In this Sec
ton south and west of Mobile and in the
immediate vicinity. Should we go north
we find that all along both the Mobile
and Ohio and Louisville and Nashville
roads fruits and vegetables of many
varieties being grown and shipped to
northern markets. We find this same con-
dition as l made mention of last week all
through Florida and so far l have not
found any one who expressed any fear
about the country sinking and becoming
a sea or lake. The thing TO fear most is
a financial crash, and even this Is large
ly imaginary, for failures in crops In
some sections of our great country may
always be expected. This is big coun-
try and embraces a great variety of soils
and conditions, and if some sections fails
on some crops 1t should not be surprise
But l have consumed most of my space
and time and so must dismiss this part of
the subject for the present, as | wish
to mention something of the marvellous
growth of the vegetable crops this fall.
Vegetable Crops.
The vegetable crops this fall is simply
something immense. I have never seen
anywhere finer vegetables than l have
found all through the country this fall
Turnips are abundant everywhere, and
such crop of turnips as was never
known before. They are so cheap in places
that there is no demand for them Col
lards and cabbage are unusually fine
The season is late and vegetable even
such tender sorts as beans and tomatoes
have been plentiful up to this time
saw both these being gathered fresh
from the gardens only yesterday I saw
turnips which weighed 9k pounds and
rutabagas Z pounds, of course, i have
been travelling for the last week in a
vegetable growing part of the country
There are places as mentioned last week
where but few of such things are planted.
but where they have been planted and
cared for they have produced abundantly.
What shame that they We're not more
generally planted for the people need
them badly this winter and but few in
the drouth district is or will be able to
| buy such things. Even in the districts
where the drouth was the most severe IN
| the early summer or through the sum-
mer rains came in time for the fall gar
dens and all who planted gardens have
plenty. But there were so many who did
not plant and some who never try to have
anything. The late potato crop is gener-
| ally good through the south.
The fall season has been almost perfect
for producing fine flowers The verbenas
and pansies are blooming away vet in
many yards. The roses too are lust grand
| The roses this fall are the most perfect
| in color and the sweetest scented of any
! ever saw Why if this weather only
continues this way for few more DAYS
the people can have the finest roses and
many other fine fresh flowers for Christ
mas decorations.
The more l travel over and see of this
beautiful southland, the more I admire IT,
and the great possibilities of this coun-
! try has not been yet told. I have treas
ured up a very great many things of
which / wish to write as time will per-
nit. / have been noting carefully many
things as / pass along, and have seen a
| great many things of great interest to
me. In fact the student of agriculture
| and horticulture can never tire of admir-.
| ing the great variety of trees, shrubs,
plants and flowers to be found all over
1 this country went out in the deep for
est the other day with a gentleman, hunt
ing. All the while / was inquiring after
! the new trees and plants in the woods.
| Seeing so many beautiful holly and mag
nolia trees as well as other evergreens,
and while admiring their. beauty my
| thoughts were turned to the poor of the
cities who never have a chance to see
such things and 1 though If only they
lscould have few branches of these beau
| Christmas, how it would cheer and COM
| fort them. But of all these beautiful
things shall have more to saySlaters-