The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-07
PARTY BEGINS
TOUR OF SIXTH DISTRICT
CONTINUED FROM, PAGE ~


forms such an essential portion of every
soil must be restored to the soil and
properly incorporated with it through the
production of green crops, which may be
plowed under or better yet may be fed to
/ cattle in order that the manure may be
returned to the land. Lastly by the ap
plication of the culinary commercial and
chemical fertilizers to supplement these
other methods of maintaining or restoring
soil fertility.
Wide Variety of Crops.
THE soils of Alabama are capable of
| producing a wide variety of crops. While
] cotton is king and may remain king for
centuries, there are other crops of only
secondary Importance whose cultivation
! Will bring large returns and furnish ade-
| quate profits. Upon some. of the soils
J of the state, those of the Orangeburg
! series and the red, sandy hill lands, q
high grade of cigar filler tobacco may
be produced. Upon these same soils the
E, alberta peach thrives. Upon other soils
in other sections apple culture is very
! successful The great staples, corn and
wheat, may be produced to a much
greater extent than ever before within
the state Many of the more sandy soils
are well adapted to the production of
peanuts, sweet potatoes, water melons
diversity of soil conditions which is
shown by the existence of forty-fve in
dividual soils within the state points to
, the necessity for much greater diversity
! in crop planting and crop production. 1t
| remains with the people of Alabama now
that these points have been called to
their attention to develop their crop sys-
tenn and their agriculture so that every
| farm and every plantation may be not
| only self-supporting. but the source of
that profit which is necessary for conf
Portable living and the best development
of the moral and social side of the life of
| the people"
On Forest Reservation.
William l.. Hall discussed the impor-
lance of forest preservation and i'm
| pressed the audience Samuel Hill of
Seattle, Wash. president of the Good
Roads association of that state, made a
most interesting talk on the work that
has been accomplished in that state by
the organization through state aid. He
was followed by Sam c. Lancaster of
the department who explained the great
necessity for good roads and also eX-
planned methods of building them
Captain Hobson talked for twenty min
utes on educational subjects He praised
tbs work of the state Legislature in APP
proprlatng $1,000 to each county for school
buildings. He said that he proposed to
make an effort to have Congress donate
the mineral rights in all public lands re-
naming in the state to a fund for
schools and good roads and allowing the
lands tc be opened to homestead entry.
He said that it is estimated that this
| fund would sufficient. to supplement the
states funds with another $1,000 for each
county. In closing, Captain Hobson pro-
posed that a committee be appointed
looking to the organization of a county
.s.4s ~.
campaign of education which is outlined
by the present tour.
A meeting was held at Carrolton this
afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, which was prac-
tically the same programme given al
Aliceville The court house was crowded
with people who seemed very much inter
ested In every feature At Reform to-
night at o'clock the party was greeted
by q very large crowd and much interest
was shown in the work. At the close OF
the speaking Mr. Lancaster gave some
stereoptician views of road building that
We're received with great interest.
Personnel of the Party.
The party is composed of Congressman
Hobson, ]. A. Bonsteel from the gov
eminent bureau of soils, Sam c. Lam
caster from the office of public roads
William l., Hall from the office of forest
products, r. s. Wilson from the bureau
of plant industry, expert on cotton cult
walton, and Samuel HILL a son-in-law OF
James ]. HILL the railroad magnate.
Mr.. Hill has voluntarily connected him.
self with the party but will only remain
one or two days on account of pressure OF
business calling him to Chicago. He is in
terested in the good roads movement and
devotes most of his time to this work
He has large financial interests at Sc
attic, Wash, and Boston, but says that
the idea of good roads is his religion.
The tour will extend over two weeks
and will cover every county in the Sixth
district.
Hill a Good Roads Enthusiast.