The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-17
a far worse state of indebtedness of our

a far worse state of indebtedness of our farmers
 We have tried to show our farmers that it Is not at all necessary for them to re- duee their cotton acreage one acre in order, in many cases, to produce all these side crops, which would give them money at all seasons of the year. We have enough idle. undeveloped land to produce these much needed side crops. But l must move on up the line. My next meet ing was Holly Springs; then on to Tupeo. The conditions at all these Mississippi points are about he same the cotton crop being the leading, crop But the disposi- tion of the people is towards diversified ton, and I found a strong sentiment at all places in favor of stock and grass growing. This whole section here in Mis- sissippi is an ideal dairy section, and much money could be made out of this industry for we have ready market at both Birmingham and Memphis for every ounce of milk or cream that can be pro- duced on the line and the railroad is ready to encourage this industry by mak- ing a low rate to these points, and in fact we want to build up this industry to that point where it will require a special milk train to handle the product between these points-Birmingham and Memphis.
 Forage Crops.
 
 a large line of grasses and forage crops, and it is these crops which makes the dairy business a profitable one. Some of this country needs tile drainage, other parts need subsoiling. The people all along the line need education along these lines, and I want to say here that have never met with a more appreciative peo- pie anywhere. or people more interested and anxious to learn and to improve their conditions. l had fine meetings at Suli- gent Winfield and Carbon Hill. Besides the great amount of coal and timber in this section there are many other things which can be produced here to great profit. such as fruits, early vegetables, early lambs, pork. poultry and goats. There should be thousands of Angora goats roaming all, over these Alabama hills. for there is good pay in this goat industry.
 There is a ready demand for every sheep and goat pelt, as well as for. all the wool of each. This section could produce early lambs for shipment north and this could be made great paying business. These things will all come around In tune.
 Orchard Industry.
 The apple industry should be encour- aged all through this section, and in order to make this industry success the farm CTS should educate themselves along this line. and learn when and where drainage, subsoiling and mulching is needed. These and a proper system of fertilizing is what this section needs to make 1t a great apple producing section.
 Then we have now and then some enter prising man who is furnishing object les sons as to what can be done not only in apple growing, but other fruits also. On these hills. with their pure running streams of water is an ideal poultry country, where thousands of chickens. turkeys and eggs should be shipped out every day The crops essential for suc- cessful poultry growing can be produced in this section cheap and to perfection. Then there is tho sweet potato crop. 1 found several farmers who have cleared