The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-26

the wrong idea as to what diversification means in farming. 1t does not mean that the farmer should jump from ono crop to another or that he should run from one extreme to another; but it does mean dividing not only his crops, but his ener- gies also; and further, it means educa- tion--for this new system of farming de- mands a higher education than has here tofore obtained in the production of corn and cotton.
 Diversified farming has been preached for some years in the south, but perhaps with never such earnestness as at the present time We hear it in all the farm CTS meetings, in all the papers and on every breeze Is heard the cry-a need for a radical change in the methods of farm ing. It is along these lines that l am ready and willing to assist the farmer in every way l can. and in order that may the better help him would like for him to ask questions Of course, I do not claim that l shall be able to answer all ques- tions, but shall endeavor to do my best. It Is for awakening a general interest In the work and for the information l ex- pect to receive from such questions that l make this request. With short prelimi- nary outline, and trusting to have the hearty assistance of the reader, will now take up the subject of
 Diversified Farming.
 I am fully aware that much has been written on this subject yet the subject
 is not nearly exhausted. True, many farmers in the south-in fact l might leave out the word south--have been brought to see the great benefits which are to be derived from growing a large line of crops. The old order of things was a crop of cotton first, in the south, and a crop of corn in the north This general plan of farming has been followed so long that many fine farms both north and south have become poor and worn out. But this order of things Is changing, and for the last few years the farmers in all sections of our country are realizing the importance of growing as far as possible what they consume on their own farms. It is poor policy for the farmers Of the south to grow cotton with which to buy all his food for his family, as well as feed for his stock.
 The United States census of 1890 shows that the farmers of the south borrowed three hundred million dollars to assist them in growing their crops-paying high interest for the same Of course we expect to see these figures greatly re- duced by the census reports of 1900, but there is yet much room for improvement along this line. It is only the farmer who is growing his pork, corn, hay, and in sumption, as far as his soil and condi- tions will permit, on his own farm, that is out of debt and prosperous. l know that it is not possible to grow everything we use on any one farm.
 l know that many farms are capable of producing a much greater variety of crops than is now being grown. The farmer should exercise mature judgment in setting apart his fields for different crops. He should find out by actual ex- periments what crops are best suited for his different soils, for soil greatly differs. even on single farms. So that if he cannot successfully grow all the crops needed for home use, he should grow such as his land is best adapted for and from pro- ceeds of these can buy such other crops as he may need Then, too, the farmer should so arrange his crops as to have something to sell at all seasons of the year. The plan of farming so as to have nothing to sell except once or twice in each year will always keep the farmer In debt By having something at all seasons to put on the market the taxes and other expenses of the farm come easy.
 More Attractive.
 Then again, while the farmer is plan ming for the growing of the realities he should not overlook the comforts and even luxuries of life. For if we expect to have our children grow up to good and useful men and women, we must make our farm homes more attractive. We should make our homes so attractive that our children, no matter where they roam, will always look back to the old home as the dearest place on earth. We can't expect this if we bring our children up as a Georgia farmer said he had reared his family. l met this farmer on his way from Georgia with large family of children moving to Texas In talking to him as to why he was making the change. he said that he had reared his family mostly on corn bread COW peas and rye coffee. Now we need not expect our children to look back to home of this kind with many fond recolections. Now this man might have added at least few friuts and vegetables which we know the soil in Georgia will produce; but we suppose that like many others, he had got in the old rut of grow ing cotton to pay for what ever else he had to have. This kind of a home will for the people are learning the importance of growing a greater variety of crops They see that it not only tends to make home more pleasant. but it helps out in q financial way as well.
 Fruit and Vegetables.
 In every farm home should be grown IS great a variety of fruits and vegetables as the soil is capable of producing. Then. too. a few roses and other flowers should be grown They add greatly to the beauty of country home. Farmers have a right to, the good things of this life as we'll as the city people. and so we should get out of the old idea that city people alone should have fine yards of grass and flow CTS. These can be grown much more cheaply on the farms. and with care and attention every farmer can have fruits. vegetables and flowers on the farm. Now l am not going to make war on cotton growing, but only object to growing it to the exclusion of every thing else.
 There are localities and farms in the south where cottonfs the most profitable crop to grow. Where this is the case let the bulk of the crop be cotton. for the farmer in such sections may be able to supply his other wants by growing cot ton better than he could otherwise do.
 But even in these sections fruits, veg etables and flowers can be grown too and there is no excuse for neglecting these en- tireiy for the sake of a cotton crop. On the farms where the land Is rolling or broken cotton should not be grown. but grains. grasses fruits and vegetables sholld be grown and stock raised on