The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-24
General crep condltlons.

IneEe ls HothinH pSkAAdbb WohAd ih- terest our farm rsaders moro at this time than a report on the general outlook for crops for this season. Reporters on crops are apt to be influenced largely by what farmers tell them In different parts of the country. or they may write from the conditions as they see them, and 50 in this way we may differ in our opinions or con- clusions Then again, reports on crops may be gotten tip for influencing specula- tioni 30 in view of these facts the reader has to read and believe what suits him and guess at the rest.
 Now In my case have no axe to grind In this matter and my information Is gathered largely from 8 personal inspec- ton of the crops in various sections, so I feel competent to do the subject fairness at least. However, there Is one fact upon which we are all agreed, which Is that all crops and all farm operations are very much delayed and everything badly be- hind.
 Now am an optimist when 1t comes to crops in this country, for have learned by experience that conditions on crops can change so rapidly in this coun- try that where 1t may look at present lilse failure, in one week of favorable con- dltions everything Is changed and the prospect for plenty will take the place of gloom, But at the peresent time, May IS, the prospect for a big harvest Is any hing but hattering.
 But as stated, this unfavorable condi- ion may be largely changed for the bet
 CT within week or so of more favorable weather. This change for the better will have to be also encouraged by unusual energy and activity of the farmers them selves. There is no time now to lose, and 1nly good weather anu push and shove 1n the part oI the farmers can win. Some sections are now receiving too much rain. while other sections are too dry.
 The excessive rains which continued iver very large area of country and which lasted so late in the season pre- vented all early farm work. And not only
 his; when the rains stopped the soil was left beaten down hard so that 1t has been almost impossible to prepare the soil for seeding. This excess of rain was also bad on the wheat crop, and in many sections the rains have been followed by
 ool north winds, which have prevented any growth, or but very slow growth of most crops. This condition has been espe- cially severe In the great agricultural state of Texas, where farmers have suf- fered more loss than in any other sec- sion. Then, too, another very discourag- ing feature Is that there Is so very much land yet unbroken, and what crops can be expected from land left to grow up In brush and weeds to this late date is a question.
 I am well aware of the old saying and one, too, which often proves true, that a short season means a big crop. Yet this depends largely on conditions. Where the soil Is in fine condition this might prove out all right, but where the soil Is badly washed, baked and left until this late date in an unbroken state, can see but little hope for full crop.
 l am a strong advocate for early crops and all crops should be planted just as early as the season and soil will per- init. We see abundant proof of the wis dom of early planting all over the coun- try, for every now and then we find a farmer In each neighborhood who has taken every advantage of the weather and who has managed to get his crops in early and who has them all cultivated in good condition, and these crops only af- ford object lessons of what may and can be done when we do our part When I go Into a neighborhood and find some farmer who mas a fine stand of corn all plowed over and Is clean and nice, grow ing right along, the question comes up, why can't all the farmers in this neigh borhoode have just such crops? Why. only the other day I visited a neighbor- hood and found one farmer with field of five acres of potatoes nearly ready for market, while the crops of his neighbors were but fairly up and started. 1 go in sections where farmers tell me that va- rious crops will not grow, yet go out and find that the same crops where they have had any chance are doing we'll
 But l can not take time now to give A lecture on the careless system of farm ing as generally practiced, for had start ed out to give report on crop conditions However, when I see so much poor, shift less farming lands, so badly butchered. 1t makes me feel like entering a protest. and l can hardly start out to write on any agricultural line without stopping to warn farmers that the time has passed in this country when farmers can succeed in farming under the practices now so large ly in vogue.
 l thought yesterday as I was passing across the great state of Illinois. what an object lesson 1t vas for the shiftless farmers For all through the state were to be seen great broad, fine farms, all well broken, narrowed fine, and the soil rolled or planked, and so well prepared for seed ing that 1t would be a pleasure even for a lady to drive one of those fine teams hitched to a corn planter across one of those great fields and plant the corn. Yes, illinois farmers as rule have learned the great advantage to be gained by fully preparing the soil for seeding before planting, as we'll as preparing the soil so as to retain moisture for some time. The question is why cannot or does not Texas farm the same way. They have their great broad, smooth acres of country very similar in every respect to Illinois and yet note the difference in their meth ods, as well as in the yield of crops.
 It is only by these improved methods or farming that such crop reports as I here make can be prevented in a large degree But I will drop this part of the subject for the present and take up the crop outlook.
 As this crop stands at the head of the