The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-20

value of $927 per farm or ;7.92 per acre.
more than twice as much per acre than
North Carolina produced. But there is an
other side to this, for Wisconsin has
only six months to conduct her farm
operations not over seven months at the
most, while North Carolina farmers can
farm twelve months in the year. But
there Is still another side to this, which
IL. that nearly all the money paid out
for fertilizers in Wisconsin was used to
produce potatoes on the poorer sandy soils
of the state where 1t has been made to
pay a big interest in the investment. And
now while I am on. or thinking of, po-
tatoes, I will give some news regarding
what Is going on among the potato far
mers.
Potato Combine.
Three counties in each of the three
states of New York, Michigan and wis
consin. nine counties In all. whose potato
growers claim that they produce % per
cent of all the potatoes grown In the
states are seeking to form a potato com
bins for keeping their potatoes of the
market until suoh time as the market
Will be compelled to take their crops at
prices fixed by the growers Great stor-
age houses or cellars will be built, and
grow ers VIII be able TO borrow money
on their crops II needed. There Is no
QucSliOn DuI Wlldl lIt pam u AoiAi'b
out In detail will have great Influence
on the price Of our potatoes. | visited
some OF these great potato growing coun-
ties. where 800 bushels of fine potatoes are
grown on one acre. had an opportunity
to see and learn much of the methods
used in potato farming
A state Of Dlversificatlon.
The reader may conclude that the geo
graphical position of Wisconsin would
make her a state of few crops. The re-
verse. however, Is true. for here we find
a great variety of crops, some of which
are wheat, rye. oats. barley. buckwheat,
flax, corn, millets, sorghunls, peas and
root crops of all kinds, Pugar beets being
quite extensively grown Nearly all the
clovers and grasses flourish here. Here
is the home OF the Alsyke clover, while
red clover and alafalfa are extensively
grown. Grasses and clovers remaining
green the greater portion Of the year
make the dairy conditions Ideal.
Great Crops Of Rye.
our readers well know how hard have
preached or advocated the use of winter
rye for feeding and pasture. Here in
Wisconsin is where one can see the fuil
force of my argument In favor OF this
great crop Here are great fields Of rye
which, after being used. complete ra-
ton for the dairy COW, as well as for all
other stock on tho farm. Rye Is IN rar
greater evidence In Wisconsin than wheat.
In fact there Is now but very little wheat
grown in this state. | Travelled 400 miles
in this state without seeing a Held OF
wheat. but barley and rye were In great
evidence everywhere.
The farms all wear an appearance or
prosperity The houses, barns and all out
buildings are in good repair. There are
no farm implements lying around to rust
and rot away, but, instead, the farms are
covered with herds of fine dairy cows.
Wisconsin claims that she produces 10 per
cent of all the cheese made In this eoun-
try.
Grand Scenery.
For scenic beauty few states afford
greater variety of beauty than this state.
Here are hundreds OF clear. cool lakes,
full OF all kinds OF fish. The woodlands
are fine. Here many of the wealthy peo-
pie from the south have built summer
homes. and come here to spend the hot
summers.
I passed on across southern Minnesota
TO St Paul, where spent the night The
next day put In seeing the wonders and
beauties Of the twin cities taking In the
falls of Minnehaha and st. Anthony
The Pillsbury Milling company gave me
a pass to visit their great mill, the larg-
est Touring mill In the world. Here @-
900 barrels of flour are put up in twenty
four hours This mill with its machinery,
is one of the wonders of the age, and no
one visiting these cities should fall to