The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-04

equal in size to the great fairs the writer is or has been accustomed to seeing in the northwestern states, yet be it said to the credit of the management and exhibitors that the exhibits were of fine quality and showed that they were carefully gathered by persons of judgment and taste-espe- cialIy is this true in the agriculture and horticulture departments.
 It is the purpose of the writer to men, ton some of the best exhibits, and to be- gin will call attention first to the fine exhibit of the Amzi God1en Seed company of Birmingham. This firm carries tuli line of field, garden and flower seed, as well as a large stock of towering oulos' sprays, pumps, insecticides and fertilizers. All these are found in their exhibit. The samples of Alabama grown corn, oats wheat, rye and other field seeds would be a great credit to any state, and Ala bama should feel highly complimented over such an exhibit, as 1t clearly shows what the soil of the state is capable ot producing under improved methods ot farming. In this exhibit was also to be seen large line of both plain and fancy flower pots, also grass seed for both lawn and field. The beauty of arrangement In the display of this exhibit was commenda- ble. and showed both taste and skill One other grand feature of this exhibit were the fine samples of cotton. This cotton is ! the Spruells improved, and is strictly an Alabama product, A. M Spruell or Leeds is the originator and he has given this cotton special attention until he mas in it one of the best early varieties now known The bolls are large the int me and the plant Is strong grower ana great bearer.
 Cotton Seed Important.
 The great cotton growers of Texas ee- gin to see and realize the fact thar se- lection and changing their cotton seed IS as important as it Is in other crops. The fact that seed saved from the early, well matured bolls Is best and will produce not only much earlier, but much larger crops has been fully demonstrated. The Texas farmers, where the boil weevil and blight l are so destructive to the cotton crop, are now advocating changing their seed en- tirely and buying early varieties from the | eastern states, where these troubles oo not exist
 
 early cotton would prove great acqui- sition to the Texas cotton growers as well | as to growers in other sections. In an in- | terview with MT. Spruell I learned that l he makes it rule to plant none put the | most carefully selected seed from mature | bols. There is no question but that the | cotton crop would be greatly increased In | yield by the planting of good, well ma tured seed. This has been fully demon- | strated this season
 Cleburne County Exhibit.
 This exhibit, shown by Mrs. Hattie l.. | Asseltine of Fruithurst, Ala, was award | ed first premium as the best county ex- hiblt This was a very r1ne exhibit, in | which there was to be found a large well | assorted collection of field, garden and | orchard products; also a fine exhibit of | canned and preserved fruits; also a large | and fine bottled exhibit of home wines. l Then there are nuts, which should be | encouraged, as nuts are yearly growing | in favor and market value and form a | prominent part in the make up of home | comforts. In this exhibit are also to be | found some fine specimens of polished native wood. The beauty of arrangement in this exhibit was very attractive and was greatly admired by all.
 Mrs. Asseltine also made very fine | exhibit of fruits, individual plates all of which were fine.
 Jefferson County Exhibit.
 This fine agricultural exhibit was made by MT. Cox and others of Shades valley | The samples here were largely field products and were of great value. This exhibit won second prize for the best county display. There were some object lessons in the exhibit worth the atten- ton of every farmer in the state, as well as in the south, for here 1t was fully demonstrated that very large variety of corn and other grains can be proftaby grown in the south The exhibit of fine corn was something to be proud of. Then the various samples of hay and forage plants. such as sorghums and kaffir corn, pea vine hay, oats, wheat, rye and wild rice were all in evidence.
 The display of peanuts and sweet po- tatoes in this exhibit was something won derful. Then there was a great variety of field and garden peas and garden veg tables. This exhibit was by far the best agricultural exhibit in the hall, but as it was lacking in fruits and home indus tries, all of which were largely shown in the Cleburne county exhibit, it could not win first premium, and under the rules of the association Cleburne county was justly entitled to the honor. All parties were we'll satisfied with this decision. These were the only two county exhibits and both were great credit to the state Let us hope for at least twenty-five such county exhibits next year.
 Individual Exhibits.
 There were three very nice individual displays of farm products one by MT. Cox of Shades valley, Jefferson county, which won the first premium; one by MT. Montgomery of Shades valley, which won second premium; the other by G. W. Me- Cullough of the same place won third premium One thing especially worthy of mention in MT. McCullough's exhibit was the fine, well assorted varieties of stock feed-corn. hay, peas, sofa beans and peanuts. Then there was also fine sample of artichokes. which are good for hog feed. MT. Mccullough is growing hogs and finds that good money can be made from pork by feeding them sweet potatoes, peanuts, artichokes, peas and sofa beans and having corn to finish them off
 MT. Mccullough is furnishing the south- ern farmers some fine object lessons in the use of all these plants and foods, and it would be a great blessing to the south if we only had thousands of just such practical farmers.
 MeCnIlo11Ob all