The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-27
csoPsFORtSTS AND ROADS
 ARE SOME OF THE THEMES
Two Meetings Held In CulIman Yes terday and Other Parts of the County Will Be Visited
 During the Week.
BY WALTER HARPER.

Cullman, August 2b.-tSpecial.D State Commissioner of Agriculture J. A. Wilk erson, Senator Joseph F. Johnston and others addressed two large audiences here today on subjects of practical inter est and importance to the farmers.
 The first meeting was held at the coun- ty court house at 10 o'clock this morn Ing and the large court room was crowd ed to is utmost.
 After few preliminary remarks by Editor Will c. Brown of the Cullman Tribune, Commissioner Wilkerson was in- troduced. He explained that the object of the series of meetings to be held in different sections of the county during the week was to bring the experience and information Of the agricultural depart ments of the state and the United States closer to the farmers of the state for whose interest the departments were orig finally created.
 He explained that he was accompanied by experts from the state and from the bureas at Washington who would be able to discuss questions of vital importance to the people and he asked that the hearers feel themselves free to ask any questions they saw fit on any of the mat ters treated in the meetings. He said that he and the members Of the party had come to do the people some practi- cal good if they did not give just the information desired on all subjects he wanted the people to ask for it.
 Advises Cooperation.
 Commissioner Wllkerson stressed the 
 dependence in the production and mar ketins of crops, He said that the farm CTS of the south had sweated and pro- duced crops for prices fixed by disin- terested persons long enough and that 1t is high time that the producer places his own price on the product of his labor. He asserted that this could and should be done and urged the adoption of such intelligent methods as would bring about this result.
 He argued the great importance of mak- ing every acre of land under cultivation produce every dollar that it could stand and with as little labor and expense as possible. He gave some interesting fig ures as 10 the average yield of the farms of Alabama planted to cotton and corn each year. He stated that SIG is the average yield per acre in Alabama from cotton and that it takes practically thir- teen months to produce and market the crop He stated that twelve and one half bushels is the average yield for corn per acre in Alabama. He asserted that this average is far too low and is proof that we are not getting from the soil all that we should
 He advised the careful selection of seed thorough cultivation. rotation of crops and intelligent fertilization
 He discussed briefly the object and Importance of the United States soil sur vey and promised that he would use every means to help secure a survey of the county as early as possible
 Professor Cauthon Talks.
 At the close of his remarks. Commas sioner Wilkerson introduced Prof. E. r. cauthen of WetumplSa. who discussed briefly Seeds: Selection and improve ment"
 He explained the great importance os selecting seeds that are healthy and well developed and from stock that has been carefully selected in the field He showol how necessary it is to take into consider alton the size and shape of the plant, IS
 
 selves. With some sample stalks of corn cut fresh from the field he illustrated the defective parts of the stalk, form5- ton and seed development He also dis played before the audience some sample . punches of oats grown from different seeds under identically the same climatic and soil conditions. The varying results were startling and convincing.
 He explained that in the ma tier of corn the seed should be carefully selected and grown from year to year separate from the bulk of the crop. Every defective stalk from the seed crop should be cut out and destroyed before development. He guaranteed that such method of seed cultivation and selection would increase the quality and yield of corn in the state Continuing, he said: Do not be afraid of over-production. The country can nse all the good corn and cotton you can pro- duce if you will handle it ntelligently as you should
 Hill on Forestry.
 C. l.. Hill of the bureau of forestry of Washington was introduced and made an interesting and comprehensive address on the great importance of the forests Of the south and the necessity for their in- telligent handling.
 He spoke of the great waste of timber all over the country, and made the start ling statement that four times more tim Der is destroyed every year than grown. iIe explained some of the methods of cut ting timber so to preserve the grow ing forest and recommended creosoting oc timber to be used which more than doubles it's life.
 He announced that on September 5 public demonstration of creosoting would be made at Maplesville. and invited as many as could 10 attend this meeting, which. Mir Hill announced, will be aug mented by a grand barbecue Mir Hills practical remarks were re- ceived with much interest and attention by the people in the audience.
 Senator Johnston.
 Senator Joseph r. Johnston was in- .roduced and received genuine ovation