The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-31
The Hay Crop.

TIC nay 0iOps
 The hay crop is below the average, and it is surprising that after so much rain the crop is no better. But it goes to prove that it can rain too much even for grass. The long continued rain, no doubt, is the cause of the poor condition of the hay crop Even the wild grasses in the west have not made the growth that one would expect to see after so much rain' The best of all the hay crops that have seen is the alfalfa of the west. How strange that more of our farmers will not grow this crop-alfalfa-for feed! We find 1t thriving emarkably well in many sections in the south and west. We nave many sections and lots of land right in our own state, Alabama, where alfalfa can be profta.iy grown. But, like all other plants, it must have the soil proper ly prepared before sowing for 1t to be- come a success.
 We find farmers who tell us that alfalfa like other crops, will do no good in this section, and yet only few miles away are crops growing to perfection. me trouble Is that a mistake was made when failure occurs, either in the selection or soil or m the manner of preparing the N4AAA last fall will be a complete guide in sow ing alfalfa, as well as all other clovers and grasses.
 But I repeat here that the soil should be prepared and alfalfa sown in the fall. l find alfalfa growing finely from Ala bama to the Rocky mountains. The best crops, however that l have seen are to be found in Texas and Oklahoma This plant makes the best of hay as well as a To rfo1I nd alar D11 farm where 1t will grow. Conditions will have to improve very fast if we get large crop of hay this season.
 The Cotton Crop.
 This Is another crop that was very late in being planted, and much of the early crop that was up was killed by the recent cold snap. Texas suffered most of all, for a good portion of the crop had been planted and nearly all that was up was either killed or stunted so that it is mak- ing but feeble growth Texas is the big cotton state and, of course, will feel the loss more than other sections. The stand is poor generally, for the cool weather caused much seed to rot in the ground. Farmers went to work right away after the freeze to replanting, but in some sec tions see were scarce and 1t was hard to get enough for replantng.,
 Fortunately great many farmers had delayed planting, for the dry cool weather was against planting, and this class of farmers, for once are in luck, for if they VIII prepare and plant they may get a good stand at once All through ArlSan- sas, Mississippi and Alabama where I have visited I find about the same late conditions as I find in Texas. Then, too, much of the cotton crop, like the corn and other crops has been put in in very bad condition, so that like all other crop con- ditions must change fast in order to make a fair crop. It is now claimed that 1t will require twelve million bales of cotton to meet the American demand.
 The crop of 1902 was in close numbers ten million bales. Now there is no nope whatever that the crop of 1903 can be brought up to that of 1902. So where is the shortage of, perhaps, four million bales to come from? We haven't the acreage to produce such a crop even if conditions were favorable from now on. Then I can't see how we can figure much for cotton planted after the middle of May, and there are many crops yet to plant, if planted at all.
 The Fruit Crop.
 This is an off year on most fruit crops. There is only a small scope of country where there will be any peaches for the market. Texas and the two territories, Indian and Oklahoma, will have a few peaches for shipment, but the great crop expected in Arkansas, Missouri and southern Kansas is a failure, as in these sections the frost killed the crop. 1..e apple crop, too was badly damaged throughout the great Big Red Apple dis trict.
 Illinois apples will also be scarce. The damage to the apple crop Is hardly esti- mated as yet, but the best judges think it very great. The strawberry crop was short in all the west. The best straw berries that have seen are the Alabama crop. The only thing about the Alabama crop is that there is not enough of them. The supply of good berries has been short all the season. When Alabama soil will produce such berries as we see here this season 1t ought to induce farmers to plant largely. This is a crop that brings in quick returns. Other berries, grapes and plums, in fact small fruits of all kinds, will be short and in good demand.
 Early Potatoes.
 The acreage of this crop is smaller than usual and the crop in the best growing sections at least ten days later than it was last year at this date. The frost so damaged the crop in the west that it will make them later than usual. This is one of the seasons when it would have paid Alabama planters to have planted a large CIOp Ol early pOldtOeS, TUT they VIII DTlDB good prices and are less damaged here than in most sections.
 Vegetable Crops.
 These crops suffered severely by the cold snap and great shortage Is the re- suit. Good stocks of early vegetables are in good demand In all the northern mar kets. There Is especially a great shortage in early peas and beans. The supply of early cabbage seems to be the best of all crops The tomato crop suffered severely and in many sections all plants that were set out in open ground were killed. Farm CTS who are growing for canning factories are now replanting. The canning industry Is one that needs to be encouraged in the south and shall have something on that line later on. Such crops as cantaoupes, melons and sweet potatoes will also be late.
 Farmers should begin now to think about preparing fall gardens, for no doubt vegetables will be in good demand all the season. After having seen so much of the country where early fruits and vegetables are being grown for shipment north I am more than ever convinced of the many natural advantages of Alabama for this industry. The growing of all these things for early shipment to northern markets Is an industry that should receive more attention in this state than ever before and the country should be more fully de- veloped along these lines.
 Miscellaneous Crops.
 There is another line of important crops such as millets sorghums. COW peas, for age plants, etc, of which I can not now