The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-12
Agricultural Department
CONDUCTED BY FULTON s. WHITE.

Since my last have been so very busy that I could not find the time for writ ing earlier. I know that it has been some time since 1 gaye our readers anything from my travels.
 I have travelled over a wide range of territory and have had the chance to make note of the condition of farms and the,l country generally. We have had rather a peculiar condition of things this winter, especially in weather.
 The whole country las been soaked and drenched with rain. All rivers and streams have been on a rampage, mak- ing it very dangerous to travel and caus- ing an unusual number of railroad wrecks, washouts and bad delays It has simply been impossible to run trains on time, and many lines have been badly delayed in moving freight. Now this is not the worst feature of the matter; farmers all over the country have been seriously delayed in all farm operations, and most all crops are or will be planted rather late and in many sections will be put in without that thorough prepara- tion which the soil should have before the seed are planted.
 I shall notice crop conditions as I find them III several StdltSJ anu diSOH llltg have something to say about fruits as much which might be written that one is at a loss to know where to begin or where to end in this matter. But l wish to say something that will not only in- terest. but prove valuable to our many readers.
 Winter Wheat.
 Never before in the worlds history has there been such an acreage grown in winter wheat, as is to be found growing today in the United States. The facts are that 1t is something simply wonder full. Then the acreage is not all, but the general conditions and promise of the crop is something marvellous. l have travelled over portions of the following states quite recently and have noted care fully the conditions in each state: Ala bama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illi- nois, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Indian Territory, Kansas and Oklahoma. I might also mention Mississippi. This last named state Is the only one where the acreage of winter wheat is small.
 Commencing with north Alabama and following through all the other states and territories named we find this large acreage of wheat, and fnd the condi- tions far more promising for an enormous crop than ever known bcfcre In the his tory of wheat growing in this country. Then, too, this promising great harvest Is not confined to any one section, but it is to be seen everywhere all over the country and especially is this true where improved and scientific methods of farm ing were employed in preparing the soil and seeding the grain by improved meth ods. Many sections of the country have found by actual experiments that the wheat crop may be brought up from ten to twelve bushels per acre to thirty to forty bushels per acre, and this is com mon results all through the country
 I find now in all parts of the country some live wideawake farmer who is growing large yields of not only wheat but all other crops. Last fall gave our readers a plan by which they could grow paying crops of wheat, and in my travels through the country, I find that where these large yields of wheat are obtained that the improved system of preparing the soil the same careful selection of seed as well as the sowing of the seed, has all been done along such practical lines as suggested in my paper on wheat growing Not that every farmer saw and read that paper, for perhaps but few wheat growers ever saw it, but all practi- cal, wideawke, up-to-date farmers have learned these practical matters by exper- fence and are all adopt1ng the same lm- proved methods.
 We have learned the value of good, well prepared soil not only for the wheat plant but for all other crops. There is no question but what if we are to grow big crops. There is no question but what if we are to grow big crops we must care for and prepare the soil for these crops Perhaps the favorable season has had much to do in bringing out such re- suits as we now see in the wheat crop. There is one thing sure that the crop has not sui cred for want of moisture, while on the other hand I have noted but very small acreage damaged by overflow and too much moisture. Farmers all over the country are hopeful and feel