The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-07-25
Agricultural Department
CONDUCTED BY FULTON s. WHITE.

this one fact always in mind, that unless
farm implements are well cared for the
rust and wear when not in actual use Is
greater than when being used. So that
when the seasons work Is over, every inn
plement should be cleaned and given a
coat of varnish and then be put away in
some dry she'd where 1t can be had the
next season ready for use. If repairs are
needed these should be provided at the
end of the season and the implement
should not be stored until fully repaired
and made ready for the next seasons
work. 1t would seem that these matters
are all so plain and so practical that they
would need no recommendation. yet we
see all over the country the need of urg-
Ing these matters, for they are not being I
practiced to the extent needed.
Rotation Crops.
Prof. Newman's article is also very
timely in another respect which is his
recommendation for rotation of crops.
This too. is a matter of deep interest to
all farmers, and I commend his advs,
In this matter Tt will pay any farmer to
cnt this cut and file 1t where 1t can be
had when needed. The soil of Alabama,
as well as nearly all the southern states
Is deficient in humous, and this is need
only make better and greater crops, but
to render the soil more easily titled, as
we'll as to insure quicker termination of
seed and a more uniform stand of plants
at the shortest time possible after plant
ing. Every farmer should understand
this matter every farmer should know
that every days delay in the termination
of seed means extra work that 1t gives
the weeds a start, for they are growing
all the while. So If the soil is made light
by good supply of humous in 1t this
will prevent the baking of the soil and
the forming of a crust over the seed,
which often delays their pushing through
for some days.
This humus can be more cheaply sup
piled by n well regulated system of rota-
ton of crops than in any other way.
But In this same issue of Age Herald
July Z is another valuable article taken
from the Southern Agriculturst. Lime
and Peas Make Soils. This articlA too
is right In line with out teachings, and
I am greatly pleased to see this article
at this time for 1t will strengthen our
position on this matter very much I have
been preaching the use of lime. COW peas
and other 1egunres so long that our read
ers may conclude that am joking, but
with others coming to the rescue we may
see better results. But as I stated In the
outset all well informed agriculturists
are agreed in all these practical matters.
Question at Issue.
Put the question is how are we to get
the people to see their interests or to
feel the need of education along these
lines? Only yesterday I was down in
south Alabama, where a farmers meet
ing was called, and several able lecturers
had been selected to address the people
The town was full of farmers. and the
officers of the association were going
around the streets begging farmers to
come over and hear the lectures Now this
is common all over the country. farmers
are slow In attending agricultural meet
ings, where they might learn great deal
that would be to their interest.
The great questions of subsoiling. the
preparation of soils for farm fall crops.
rotation of crops, alfalfa and in fact many
subjects of great interest to all our farm
ers will be taken up In these papers right
along every week. so that any farmer
may here get the information he needs on
various subjects.
On Wednesday July 20 we will have a
great farmers meeting at Holly Springs,
Miss. and this meeting will be followed
up by others for some days. It Is to be
hoped that farmers will take more Inter.
est in these meetings and that we hlay
have great gathering of farmers at Au.
burn.
But we are making progress along these
lines and the way to win Is to push
ahead hold what we gain and gain al
much more as possible.