The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-08
Issinni Fary,,ers, Institute.

Inc IOuoWlnB programme was eNt- out, beginning Wednesday, August So' and continuing to September l:
 Wednesday, August 31, morning ana evening sessions were taken up by the Southern Live Stock association.
 Evening session-Welcome address, w. L. Hutchinson, director Mississippi Exper- mental station.
 Agricultural Education," c. L. New man of Fayette. -s.
 "The Mexican Cotton Boil weevii," by Glenn W. Herrick Mississippi A. and M. college.
 Thursday, September l, morning ses- sion-"The Work of the Farmers Insti- tute." 0. c. Gregg. superintendent of Farmers Institute. Lynd, Minn.
 "The Growing of Alfalfa," Hon. R. B. Smith. Alfalfa K.ng'' of sherman. Tex.
 This was the first address the writer had the pleasure of listening to. as only arrived on the noon train Thursday. MT. Smith treated this subject with his usual ability, intermixing his remarks with many humorous stories. fully illustrative of the claims made for alfalfa. MT. Smith went into this subject very thoroughly, showing that alfalfa was fast changing the whole system of stock growing in the southern states. He went on to show how eheaply the crop Lay be grown, and how cheaply stock especially hogs, can be raised by the use of this wonderful plant. MT Smith spoke of some wonderful re- suits obtained from alfalfa growing. showing that fields have been known to give five cuttings in one season, averag- ing one ton of hay for each harvest, worth at lowest price $12 per ton or $6O per acre. In addition to this a crop of seed had been in many places secured, yielding from $10 tc $20 per acre.
 MT. Smith laid grei.t stress upon first having the soil thoroughly prepared be- fore sowing the seed. He went on to show as we have repeatedly done through The Age-Herald. that 1t was only a waste of time and money in trying to gorw alfalfa on old. worn-out cotton soils until such soils had first been brough up to a high state of cultivation by liberal use of fertilizers and thor ough preparation. He went on to show that the organisms needed to inocculate the soil could best De secured by culti vafing the land in stock peas for at least two seasons before attempting to grow alfalfa He went on at great length to describe the plant and its habits of growth, how and when to harvest, and
 
 spoke of the value of alfalfa as feed for dairy cows. The whole talk was full of interest and was well received.
 This led out into lengthy discussion on alfalfa, which showed how great the interest is in the growing of alfalfa. Many Mississippi farmers gave their ex- periences. some reporting wonderful suc- cess, while others had made signal fail uers. The concensus of opinion was, as MT. Smith stated, that all failures were due to a lack of proI er understanding of the habits of the plant and a lack of a thorough preparation of the soil before planting. It was the opinion of all pres ent that alfalfa when properly managed will prove one of the most valuable hay and pasture plants ever Introduced in the south. gl
 Many fine samples of the plant were on exhibition, all showing what may be accomplished with alfalfa in Mississippi Many of the successful farmers advised all new beginners to go slow in growingsl alfalfa; to commence with one acre and make this success. and then branch out on a larger scale In the discussions 1t was stated that crab grass was the great enemy of young alfalfa plants
 See Culture.
 The next subject discussed was bee culture, by George A. Hammer. Brazelia Miss, who has this season sold 5000 worth of fine L.oney. The first part of the subject was taken up in discussion of the best bees to keep; next the methods of producing comb, and next, the best hives to use. The importance and value. as well as the comforts to be derived from fine honey were fully shown. The importance of planting honey plants was also shown. The llelolotus as bee feed ing plant was recommended for general use for the southern states. AL average of fifty pounds made per hive was considered a low estimate
 Sugar mixed with water was advised as feed.
 The next subject, that of Poultry for Profit" was discussed by R. N. Crane. poultry expert from Guelf, Canada. The first thing to be considered In poul- try growing for commercial purposes Is to know your market and grow such breeds as the market demands. The pro- lessor showed something of the value of the poultry industry in this country.
 In the discussion following MT. Cranes paper, I spoke of the enormous growth of the poultry business for the last few years, making the statement that the revenue derived from the poultry indus try in the states of Missouri or Iowa would buy every pound of cotton grown in the great cotton state of Texas, even if the crop was all solo. at 16 cents per pound. l, also stated that the poultry industry in 1903 amounted to nearly $2S5,- 100000 in the United States, and further. that all the m, ts and lard exported from this country in 1S03 fell short In weight 10000 tons of the eggs laid by the ever faithful American hen. I also stated that I expected to see a largely in- creased revenue from the business In 1904. I said that the south was the coun- try where poultry could be grown cheaper than in any part of the United States, as here there is always at hand an abund- ance of fresh running water, free range and cheap forage crops. Poultry food can be grown cheaper than any where else in this country.
 Thureday Evening Session.
 The first speaker of tie evening was 0. c. Craig. superintendent of Farmers Institutes of Minnc -ota, who made very pleasing address along the lines of farm CTS institute work. Professor Craig also spoke at length on the subject of the one crop idea, showing that only few years ago Minnesota was producing wheat just as the southern states have been growing cotton. The one crop idea was impoverishing the soil, placing mort gages on the farms, putting the people in debt This condition continued until the farmers got to thinking and to edu- eating themselves, and this education led to diversiflcation. This diversification led to the dairy industry, and this great industry in few years rid the people of debt, paid off all mortgages in the state. and today the result is that the soil has not only been made rich, but the land has haap -aafIv advanceL in value.