The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-23
OUTLOOK FOR CROPS.

Crop prophets are now coming to the front all over the land, and predictions as to what the harvest will be for 1906 of our various crops are now in order. Of course it is by far too early to give any very reliable information or estl- mates of various crops, for there are so many contingencies that may arise that would change any present estimates We might makes Yet the acreage now in sight of the various crops, together with the present outlook, may warrant us in giving some ideas as to what may be reasonably expected.
 Soil Conditions.
 As a rue the soil was in very bad condition this spring to begin farm opera tions In many sections the winter was mild with heavy rainfall and but little snow. This condition, not only retarded all farm work, but also left the soil badly beaten down by excessive rain. This, of course, made it late to commence work so that many crops were and will have to be planted on soils that have been poorly prepared. The result of this will be a reduction in yield of all crops plant ed on this unprepared soil, unless we should have a very favorable season later on. Then again. many crops will be planted late, and this always means a III ylelu. VIII nOIlCt D1ltlly the chances for some of our standard crops as the outlook presents itself now.
 The Corn Crops.
 Corn is called king in this country, and if corn is king, we should crown grass queen, as we will notice later on. The corn crop has always been a reserve power in agriculture, as well as leader. for the acreage Is always increased in proportion to failures in getting other crops planted. This is truer this year than it has been for some years. This year the acreage, which will be planted to corn will be large In many sections the bad weather delayed or prevented the sowing of oats or the planting of early potatoes, and the acreage intended for these crops will be planted to corn.
 Much of this great acreage of corn is being planted on lands that are but poor 1y prepared for the crop. and unless the season should prove a very favorable one for corn. the yield from such soils is bound te~ be small. Last year G9O5) we produced in the United States, one and a half billion dollars worth of corn. This great volume of wealth should have been produced from one-half the acreage that we had planted to corn. and the other half should have been set to grass and stock growing. It is a question
  last years record In corn production with an increased acreage
 Wherever I have been the seed corn is coming up nicely. However, good seed is scarce, and there is an unusually heavy demand for seed corn. On May :, per haps not over one-half of the crop had been planted in the corn belt.
 Grass.
 Grass should be crowned queen of all crops in all countries. for it is the foun- dation of all agricultural wealth. Last year we received from the grass crops of this country, either directly or in- directly, nearly two billion dollars. This season the grass crops very prom ising. The great alfalfa crops of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. now being har- vested are wonders of the world. One who has never seen these fields of al- faIfa would be astonished if he should come to these sections now and behold the beauties of the alfalfa fields, for certainly there is no prettier sight to be found anywhere The largest and finest alfalfa fields in the world are to be found in Texas. oklahoma and Kan sas. In these sections six tons per acre in one season is not uncommon. Alfalfa Is destined to change the whole system of farming and stock growing in the great southwest. It is almost a complete ration for all stock. Alfalfa hay is now being ground into meal which makes one of the best of stock foods and will soon become one our great commercial stock foods.
 Other grasses are also very promising and many of our tame or cultivated grasses are now being introduced into the west Kansas Is the home of the Meadow Rescue or English blue grass, and here it is grown and shipped in car load lots for export purposes, as well as for home demands It Is grown exactly after the method of growing wheat. sown with a drill, harvested and bound with the wheat binders.
 With a favorable season. we will have the greatest crop of hay ever grown in this country. Our farmers. everywhere are becoming more and more interested in clovers and grasses and are educating