The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-19
PLEASED WITH MOBILE
WESTERN MEN ARE PROJECTING
 A COLONY
Sens sf David R. Francis Are Inter- ested tn South Alabama-Pro-
 pose to Tench scien- tine Farming.

Mobile. Dec. ts.--(special.) )--For some time there has been in this city and vicinity party of capitalists seeking information as to conditions with the view to investments in Mo- bile County lands for the purpose of
 Frederick D. Tucker. some time President of the Minnesota and Iowa Agricultural Colleges, is at the head of the party and with him are Thomas U. Francis. Charles E. Francis and Thomas Francis, sons of former Gov- ernor Francis of Missouri
 feature of the proposition of these gentlemen, according to Mir. Tucker, Is the establishment of an in- struction farm in this vicinity. Mir. Tucker says that any extensive colo nization for farming purposes should he preceded by thorough course of instruction in the treatment of soils ana rotation of crops together with the features connected with the mar keting of produce.
 This is the third visit of MT. Tucker to Mobile County and he is conversant with the climatic and soil conditions.
 AS to the results of their investiga. tions the men declined to talk. This morning they made a trip to Fort Morgan. accompanied by L. c. Irvine.
 Charles Francis. speaking with ref erence to this city and section, said
 While we have put in great deal of time in the inspection of lands, the results of which cannot be determined until our return to St. Louis. there are other features which have impressed us surprisingly. Mobiles outing fa- cilities. her surroundings attractive to sportsmen and lovers of the water. as well as the land. should be better known.
 There IS no doubt in my mind that with the inducement of good roads for automobiling. the attractions oi this coast will become famous. In years of travel and observation I have nowhere encountered any more seduc- tive surroundings than Mobile af- fords
 MT. Tucker. speaking of the project said:
 .while the details of my undertak- ing are not ready for publication, be- ing still more or less in a formative state. 1 am free to say that it Is my conviction that Mobiles development cannot possibly proceed to the pro- while her outlying lands remain in a wild state.
 "The incoming tourist or seeker for business will judge the possibilities of the city by the conditions of Its back country. While 1t Is a giant task to revolntion.ze these conditions. I be- lieve that 1t can be done within a few years.
 The late National Farm Congress held in Chicago demonstrated to the land seeking public plainly that the Gulf coast agricultural and horticui- tural sections held advantages over the far west with regard to market inR facilities which 1t Is a physical impossibility for any ingenuity tn overcome in favor of the irrigated sections of our country. Heretofore the craze of the farm hunter has been set in the direction of these govern nhnt irrigated lands of the West Now the public Is thoroughly prepared for a campaign in the interest of devei- opments nsarer home and in these neglected regions of the South.
 My impression is that there Is no way In which a proper settlement O., the country can be made without some plan such as propose to educate would-be settlers in the methods of treatment of thess soils. so as to in- sure them against the mistakes which lead to disaster and consequent dis couragenent of other efforts
 While none of my party desires, tc be quoted. this, arises not from the fact of any dissatisfaction. but be- cause our plans require thorough con. sideration and possible amendment to meet conditions as they arise. On the whole, 1t may be said that Mobile has pleased all of us and we are satisfied that with the advent of good roads