The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-21

ative work does not in the least interfere with any other obligations of the mem bers.
 Organization Needed.
 Every section where the people expect to engage in this class Of farming should organize such associations and commence this educational work at once. Regular meetings should be held during the bad weather when the farmer. could do but lit- tie on the farm. We can see no reason whatever why any farmer should object to good farmers .nstitu or why every one should not be willing 10 take an active part in supporting the institute. The in- stitute is not only needed for education in the growing of truck crops or fruits, but all crops on the farm should come in for a good share of attention First of all, the question of soils. soil building and soil protection should receive careful at tention, for the success of all crops or all classes of farming haa to depend entirely on soil conditions When these institutes are once organized in a community the farmers soon see the importance of them and the interest grows as the work pro- gresses.
 Advice For Lamar Farmers.
 Now that Lamar county farmers have organized for the purpose of educating themselves for the growing of fruits and vegetables for market and as they have requested me to assist them In this work, shall take the matter in hand and give a general line of instructions on soils. soil pre- Aaration, crops that can be grown to nrofit and how to grow these crops The information which will be given will an- swer not only for this section. but equally well for all sections of the state and for the cotton states generally.
 Now. the first thing for every farmer to do in this educational movement is to subscribe for this paper. so that they may avail himself of the information which we shall try to furnish from time to time. Another advantage In this is that we are able to keep our readers in- formed of what is happening in an sec tions of the country, to give advice on what crops are most profitable to grow, where. when and how to ship and. in fact. a vast amount of valuable information condensed and ready for the use of the growers. Again. in this way. we could answer such questions on various sub jects and on matters that may come up as the work progresses.
 There is now way by which the farmer can get so much valuable information at so small an expense as he can by taking a good home agricultural paper.
 As stated. the farmers of Lamar county are thinking of changing their system of farming. They want to plant less cotton and more grain crops; more stock moro feed. and to grow line of crops for ship ment to the best markets. They have wisely concluded to commence at once to prepare their lands for this class of farming. This season over finds them sowing more oats and preparing to grow hay crops. The question of stock growing is receiving more attention. and more fruits, trees. potatoes and vegetables are being planted
 Character of Soil.
 The first thing for the cotton farmer to begin to consider in this diversifcation movement is the character of the soil; what crops 1t is best adapted for, and how to prepare this soil at least cost for the production of these crops. In travel ing through the country l have made a careful study of the soil conditions. and I think I shall be able to give an outline at least of what Is needed in the preparation of the soil of various soils before they will be in a condition for producing good crops of fruits and vegetables suitable for shipment to market.
 We find men in nearly all sections who are furnishing object lessons along this line, and are showing what may be done under improved methods of farming. We found farmer of this order at Vernon, a man who had so buiIded up his soil as to be able to produce one and a half bales piece of land planted to Irish potatoes. which produced potatoes at the rate of 1900 bushels per acre. His sweet potatoes and all crops produced in abundance. This mans farm is now ready and in fine con-
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