The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-24

our power in such an organization that I wish to warn against. First, we must become educated to know how to grow such a line of crops as will keep us on the market as much of the time as pos sible We must learn how to quickly dispose of all perishable crops We must not make perishable crops from the greater part of our farm operations. We should try to keep ourselves in as com plete control of the market as possible. We should steer clear of all grafters and calamity howlers. All farmers organiza- tions should be strictly for educational purposes and for mutual benefit to all it's members, and not made a place where renegade politicians may have an oppor- tunity to exploit their grievances.
 We need, first, in all organizations, to teach farmers how to grow crops, how to maintain the fertility of the soil, how to grow big crops without eXhausting the fertility of the soil, and with this kind of education to begin with It will be an easy matter for the farmer to control the prices of his crops. With such an organization much lasting good could be accomplished, and I am heartily in CO., operation with all movements of this kind.
 Alfalfa.
 For some time I have tried to impress upon our readers the value of alfalfa, and have urged that if they could only prepare one acre so as to make alfalfa success, then, by all means, they should do this. Recently I have met with many experiences with alfalfa growing that fully convince me that I am right in advocating a more extensive growing of this wonderful plant. There is no crop that is giving such wonderful profits for the amount invested as alfalfa is now giving in many sections of our country. Last week I met and conversed with farmers whose alfalfa crops gave them last year from $50 to s90 per acre. What other crop have we that will compare with this for profits? One of the things that makes this crop so valuable Is the fact that the crop is handled almost en- tirely by machinery. Besides this, field well set to alfalfa should give good crops for twelve years, and will do so if prop erly managed. Many alfalfa crops here in Oklahoma are ready to cut at this early date, April 9th.
 However, this Is very unusual to have hay crops before many crops are planted. This shows the possibility of alfalfa. Vile we have sections of country where the soil Is especially adaried for the growing of alfalfa, yet almost any soil that will produce crop of corn can bo made to grow alfalfa if it is proper ly managed and the right kind of fer IillzerS used. Next week 1 Will give method of alfalfa growing by cultiva- 1 tion which will often prove a success, where broadcast sowings would fail. Every reader should have a copy of my bulletin ol alfalfa growing and this book
 mG.' bo had for the asking.
 Green Bugs.
 Since my last article the green bugs"
 have spread rapidly over many sections of Oklahoma, q .stroying many acres of wheat. Farmers are alarmed as they fear they will destroy the oat crop also. In fact these bugs are now leaving the wheat and turning their attention to the | oats. Farmers feel that they are prac- tieally helpless and all they can do is to let the bugs run their course.
 Weather Conditions.
 When I wrote last the weather was 1 dry and hot and farmers had begun to fel as if we were to have dry season, but last week the rains came and there
 is now promise of another crop. The ! rains were general over Oklahoma which | greatly revived all crops, as well as the | hopes of the farmers. Cotton picking is | still going on and there are yet many | crops not gathered. In many sections l farmers are gathering instead of picking 1 the cotton, pulling off the whole bolls, | hoping in this way to be able to save | a part of the err , at least. In many
 sections the new crop of cotton is com | inC up nicely and some fields are ready | fo. cultivation. The demand for farm l help was never so great. Texas alone | could use 100000 more men on their farms, 1 The last years crop of wheat in Okla | homa is not all thrGshed yet for want l If 1ahOr