The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-06
CULLMAN OCCUPIES A UNIQUE POSITION The Town and County Are
 Noted for Thrift A VARIETY OF PRODUCTS cuIIman Free From swamps and Ma laria-No Negroes In Town and
 Few in the county-Educa-
 tional institutions.
A VARIETY OF PRODUCTS

tional institutions.
 cullman. November 5.-(special.)-'N malaria, TO swamps, no hurricanes anu no na0roesr are only four or the many advantages of which Cullman boasts, but her wide-awaKe. enterprlsihs citizenship lays special stress upon 'nese noints The casual visitor to Cuilman is at once impressed by the uniqueness ol inc niace It is so unlike anything else in the south and yet is in the very center of southern soil, southern popuialloh anu southern custom and habit.
 Cullman's present status is a living H. lustratfon of the wisdom and the 1ore- sight of one man, John G. Culiman' nm self a native German. who In lsfS' lounu- ed this town, and here builded the niose successful colonization enterprise ever undertaken in the south. MT. Cuiiiiian found a willing aid in the south anu North Alabama railroad, now a part oi the Louisville and Nashville, and con tracted with it for a large tract Of lano in the territory now included Tn Cuilnian county.
 A Little History.
 The story of Culman is one of deep in- terest to all southern people who are in- terested in the subject of immigration and development. It was in Cincinnati on the 5th of January, 1875 that MT Gull man began his work of inducing immi- I'll April of that year. Five German faml- lies of ten persons came from Cincinnati at time when the site where now stands the prosperous city of Cullman was an unbroken wilderness. By January, 1874, the colony had increased to 123 families and the first step was taken then toward incorporating a town, and rom that time to the present Culman has moved steadily forward.
 Though 52 miles from Birmingham Cullman may be accounted really much nearer by the splendid facilities now afforded by the Louisville and Nashville railroad in the numerous passenger trains which ply between the towns. It is now a simple before-breakfast run, either way. without breaking one moment of good nights sleep.
 The Morning Paper.
 By the carry morning 'neWSDOy lrdinS inaugurated this week, the Age-Herald Is read here at the breakfast table, and all observers are remarking upon the increased demand for the morning paper and the eagerness with which the people watch for it's coming. There is a general expression of qualification here that Gull man is at last furnished with an Ala bama morning paper fresh from the press. This all means a closer kinship between Cullman and Birmingham.
 Why 1t Is So.
 If the writer, after closely observing conditions here, were to give an opinion as to what Is the real basis of Cullman's prosperity he would say: the climate, the soil, the industry of this German popula- tion and of native Americans who meet them half way, and their wisdom which inspired diversified farming in the north and west. The proceeds from dairy pro- ducts, added to poultry and eggs Is greater than the corn or wheat crop. Here in Cullman county the trucking in- dustry has proven immensely valuable. Fruit growing Is most successful; large shipments of poultry demonstrate the extent of that industry; stock raising is annually increasing and to these are add ed 15'O00 bales of cotton and thousands of bushels of corn. Think of the wealth that in these lies and all right here in this favored place.
 Distinctive Features.
 Here are some distinctive points touch ing Cullman
 Cullman was originally a German set clement, and holds today more consider able portion of Germans than any com munity in the south. The German makes an ideal settler and a genuine citizen. He lr,,1 1,
 does 1t.
 There are no negroes in the city@ of Cullman. and very few in the county. Therefore. there is no race question" here
 The contour of the land of Cullman county Is generally rolling, the city be- ing SIP feet above sea level. The timbered land of Cullman county consists mostly of different varieties of oak as white, black, mountain, Spanish, post, etc., beside which are considera ble quantities of hickory and yellow pne These lands, having very little under brush, are therefore easy to clear. General Health. In the matter of general health, no part of the south has greater advantages. The elevation of about 800 feet gives perfect drainage; there are no malarial swamps. and with an abundance of pure water. Cullman enjoys a degree of healthfulness that makes 1t in every way desirable for residence. Many suffering from pulmonary diseases, and those seeking recuperation from a debilitated condition, have here found great relief.
 The soil of Culman county is sandy loam with clay sub-soil and a mixture of rotten limestone It is highly produc- tive under proper cultivation, and very susceptible to the application of fertiiz- CTS.
 For the production of fruits and vege- tables the land is rarely equaled. Cereals and grasses do we'll and no section of the south has demonstrated the desira- bility of diversified farming more fully than has been done in Cullman county. The following are some of the more im- portant products that are making the farmers of Cullman county the most pros- porous in the state. Vegetables of al- most every variety Beginning with the first spring crops, strawberries, raspber- ries, early Irish potatoes, early peaches and apples, grapes, sweet potatoes, mel ons, sweet corn, oats, rye, millet, clover, peas, beans, late Irish potatoes, corn, cotton, etc.
 The following estimate will give some