The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-11
TO Be ContInuedO
TEXAS WATER SOAKED.

Texas has been hard hit by storms and
floods this season The heavy rains, which
have continued for weeks, have greatly
retarded all farm work The soil is not
only water-soaked but very badly washed
In many sections, and In others beaten
until 1t is baked hard. Crops of all kinds
are late and there are thousands of acres
of fine land not yet plowed or planted.
In some sections the crops that are
planted are foul or want of work | saw
very few farms where crops had been
worked l saw fields of cotton under
water or partly so. Farm operations are
al standstill and plows are standing in
the mud and water in the fields.
Wheat, oats and grasses are all grow
ing finely. Corn Is very small and late.
There is a poor stand i'm many places and
the weeds are growing fast in e corn
fields
Damage to Small Fruits.
The fruit growers of east Texas are
very much discouraged over the great
loss in small fruits. especially on the
strawberry crop, which is very large.
The continued heavy rains have so dam
aged the crop that the berries are hardly
fit to ship; in fact, those that have been
shipped arrive in the northern markets
in such a poor condition that they hardly
sell for enough to pay expenses of ship
ping Pickers cannot make wages and
many are quitting as they cannot make
wages gathering Serries in the rain.
The peach crop is very promising as
yet, and it is to be hoped that the rains
will let up in time for saving the peach
and tomato crops, so that these may be
shipped in good condition.
Potato Crop Damaged.
Texas planted a very large acreage to
early Irish potatoes this year Many
crops are badly damaged for want of cul-
tivation and from t.scess of moisture.
Such crops will be cut short in both yield
and quality. Besides the crop is late and
will come on the market late, which will
put the growers at quite a disadvantage.
There was some loss of acreage by the
seed rotting and not coming up.
Increase in Cotton Acreage.
The conditions are forcing the Texas
farmers to plant largely to cotton. They
say that by the time the soil becomes
dry enough to work it will be too late
to plant any crops but cotton. and so
we may reasonably look for an increase in
the acreage of cotton in Texas rather than
for any decrease. This is equally true
of both the territories. One of the leading
seed dealers in Texas said that there had
been heavy demands for cotton seed for
the last few weeks. The prospect now is
that with a favorable season we are to
have an over-produetion of both cotton
and Irish potatoes. This will cause an
other shadow of gloom over the farmers.
Our readers know that l warned them last
winter of what we might expect from
both cotton and potatoes.
certain amount of fruits and vege-
tables may he grown and shipped to
northern markets. but to oVerdo the mat
ter is far more fatal than to grow a sur
plus crop of cotton, for the cotton Is
not so perishable | am trying TO per-
suade the farmers to build their founda-
ton upon stock grass, grain and forage
crops, and to make the fruit and truck
business a secondary consideration. Grow
ing enough to supply the demand will
give them cash with which to conduct
their other farming.
Alfalfa Again.
I am often invited to visit farms. The
owners are anxious to have me see their
farms aud give my opinion ON matters or
to give some timely advice. Recently
mentioned the largest and best managed
alfalfa farms in this country Since
then | was invited to see another large
farm. Now shall not mention the name
of the proprietor of this farm or the To-
cation, because the host was very kind
and perhaps is doing the best that he can.
But shall use this farm as an Object
lesson. because there may be some reader
who has just such farm ard needs TINS
advice.
This great farm is owned by m
who spends most of his time In the cities
and entrusts the care and management of
the farm to hired help. Colonel Smith also
lives in the city, but he drives OFT on Ills
farm and directs every movement This
last large farm visited is very unlike that
OF Colonel Smith. On Colonel Smith s farm
everything Is order and or the other
tarm rhere seems to be no system about
anything-but things are left to chance
Fences and buildings are out of repair.
orchards ragged and neglected and there
Is no drainage through 1t. which is needed
padly. Brush briars and the very worst
kind of foul weeds are to be seen grow