The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-03-18
CANE BREAK REGION
IS FLOUR|SH|NG
Farmers Wide Awake to In
ducements Offered
NEW EXPERIMENT FARM
Work Is Under the Direction of the
United States Department of
Aariculture-Hog Rails
ing Pays Well.
NEW EXPERIMENT FARM
BY FRANK v. EVANS,

oi'iH'A1oHll, 1f.-tSptGidi.t -Allc
writing first letter from this favored
place j carriage ride into the countr.
through magnificent prairie lands, unde
the courteous chaperonage of Captain
Johnston and Cashier White of the Plant
ers' and Merchants bank, other observa
tons came to view and further informa
ton was furnished your correspondent
therefore, an addition to the first lette
is in order.
Captain Johnston and Mr.. White ar
both largely interested in the industrial
development of this section, and are en-
thusiastic at the present and prospective
growth. Large land owners anu real farm
ers themselves, they are also investors
in and officers of the cotton factory ant
oil mills, besides being at the head O
a fiourishing banking institution.
Munford Farm.
Among the places visited was the great
''Munford farm" where the experimental
proposition Of Professor Spillman
agrostologist of the United States de
partment of agriculture, mention of which
was made in my last letter, Is located
The Manford farm is the property OF Gen
T. I. Munford, now living at Iynchburg
Va, but who spends HIS winters here. l
is und ar the direct management OF MS
son, William Munforo, who is one OF tn
largest and nest successful farmers II
the state The latter makes his home OF
this plantation, and lovely nome IL Is
with all modern conveniences, even watei
works. This home is located upon
shaded hill, with magnificent lawn sur
rounding it, and overlooking a peautilu
prairie, which looks at this season o.
the year much like an ocean OF industry
the hundreds of two-horse plows resem
bling sailing craft of an open sea. IL
said that crop failures never befall the
.'Munford farm" Here cotton, corn anc
the valuable grasses are grown in abund
anoe and to perfection
Mr.. Munford pays attention to fine stoci
and most attractive feature OF MS stocf
department is a herd of Angora goats
These animals are beautiful creatures a.
this season of the year, with their long
flowing. curling silken hair, almost READY
for the shearer 1t goes without saying
that the high price and great value o.
this fleece make certain the success o.
this enterprise, and the work here set
the pace for other farmers and land own
ers to follow.
u. S. Experimental Farm.
AS stated 1t is on this plantation tn,
experimental farm suggested by Prof
Stilman is located. Already work ha'
begun. The land is undergoing prepare
ton, and the government has alreaos
shipped hundreds of pounds OF SEEDS O.
the finest varieties. Hog-rasing Will p'
the speciality of this farm and TN
Berkshire breed is to be used However
cotton, corn and the forage crops arr
to be used in the test. The government
furnishes all seeds and one-half the fer
tilizers; Mr.. Munford furnishes the, lane
does all the work and accepts the pro-
duct. An association of prominent farm
ers are interested. and the agriculture
department at Washington will advise
and receive reports of results.
State Experiments.
The writer has already referred to the
state experimental farm located on the
outskirts of Uniontown. This is one OF
the oldest stations established, and Its
demonstrations have proven OF great value
to the canebrake section.
Farm Labor.
There is as yet a great demand foi
farm ldDOT Ill luiS SeCtlOllSYooihe VI eiie
plantations not being supplied with the
necessary help, and yet there is an i'm
provement along this line over the past
few years. Many negroes have returned
from the so-called public works. tc
the fields, induced to do so by the pre-
ent prices of cotton, but there is room
for more. Most of them prefer the ten
ant system, but many have accepted
wages. which range from IS to $40 pei
month. with provisions furnished fue
and houses in which to live. The negro
farm labor here Is in good condition.
peaceful law-abtding, and industrious
AS evidence Of this fact the land prepar-
alton Is far in advance Of what 1t gen
orally is at this season Of the year.
"EIIen White" Cotton Factory.
The ELLEN White cotton factory, I'M
der the manager of President II. J.
White and superintendent Val Taylor Is
not a large mill, but has proven a very
profitable one. 1t was built entirely by
home capital, and the purpose Of the
company is to double its present size
1t is yarn mill. with fifty-two spindles
and uses about two thousand bales OF
cotton per annum. BY the way, in its
wisdom the management purchased this
years supply of the staple before the
high prices came.
Uniontown, like all the ''black belt
communities, has many handsome, coy
and well-shaded homes, and best Of al
happy people.