The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-12


 east. I will repeat that the farming in- terests along the line of the railroads has been sadly neglected. Many farms are badly washed and worn, orchards have been neglected and allowed to die out the old trees going fast and but few new or young orchards planted. In fact l did not see one good, thrifty young orchard anywhere between Birmingham and Phil adelphia and not much better are the conditions between Philadelphia and New York
 That there are paying orchards back in the country there is no doubt, for the markets generally are supplied with home grown fruits. But if one had to judge the country from what is to be seen from the railroad, or if this is an index to what the country is generally. it is a hard problem. We hear great deal said about these cotton mills and what they are doing for that country, and 1t certainly has been the financial salvation of those states.
 The founders of these industries builded wisely. It Is only a question of time when the south will be the greatest manufac- turing center of the world. This industry is moving south and west.
 The only hope I see for the wornout hill lands of the south is to get them set in grasses and in forage crops, and grow stock. hogs, sheep, cattle poultry, goats, and build up dairy industries. Most all these lands alluded to may be turned or used to good advantage in this varied industry of stock and forage crop grow ing Fruits and vegetables too may be grown following the building up of the soil by stock growing.
 The fertility of these lands must be restored by hte use of the legumes, such as the COW pea, velvet beans clovers and the sofa bean Our farmers Will nave To learn how to grow stock on these various forage crops and not have to depend so much on corn. I was also disappointed in the country around Washington for here I had expected to see every foot or the land near the city in a high state of cultivation producing vegetables, lrults and orchards Instead l found swamps' and when out of the swamps in the brush. Washington is only ten feet above the sea, and this was also surprise. So that there is no wonder at the swamps. While taking in the city I visited the market, as the market in any city is good place to get an idea of what is produced Tn the country found the market well stocKeu with a great line-of farm products
 One of the most interesting sights, how ever, to be seen is the old of before the war days who came to the market "ilii many strange things to sell, such as
 
 of these old slaves has a history and are ready to tell the stranger long story or what happened in the long ago past days. Everyone visiting the city of Washlngton should not fail to make vslt 10 the Grand Central market early in the morn ing.
 talsing the sight-seeing car and making a tour of the city. We then visited many of inc great government buildings. the finest of all being the Congressional Il- brary. which is by far the finest build ing in the city and one of the finest In the world. We saw congress in session' visited the White House; saw all the great new, modern hotels. the finest or which is the new Willard. The Smith, sonian Institute, the museum, treasury, war department, postoffice, public print ing office, patent office, and many others are all places of great interest 50 are the many fine parks and monuments. we made a, trip to the top of the Wasnlngtoh monument, 555 feet, and walked oown the 901 steps. The whole city every place, has a history. We stopped at the old National hotel, one of the oldest-the one in which nearly all our great early states men stopped and the one where the great Henry Clay died.
 We made @ trip out to Mt. Vernon. Washingtons old home We went all through the house, kltcnen anu out houses. saw all the old historic relics as they are stored away in this old home. After we saw all this we visited the tomb where rests the father of our coun- try What a lovely place is this old Vir- ginia home, and what history sur rounds it. One can hardly help feeling that he is tramping over sacred ground. I could hardly realize where I was, and that it was possible that 1 was treading over ground where Washington once trod. The beauty of the old home is much in- creased by the old native trees which still stand in the yards and lots. The stately old poplars, oaks, elms, hard maple, ash and the holly whose ever green with it's red berries add interest, and think that Washington loved these beauty and charm. Then, too, to stand and think that Washington loved these old trees and spent many hours in their shade Truly it is fitting place for the last resting place of the republics first president No one should fail to see Mt Vernon when they visit Washington. It is situated sixteen miles down the his- toric Potomac. There is an electric line running out there every hour from the city and one can make the round trip for 50 cents Mt. Vernon belongs to the Daughters of the Revolution They charge 25 cents admission to the grounds