The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-04-05
STATE TOUR
COMPLETED
Experts Conclude Lee
lures to Farmers.
MAKE FARM sELF-sUsTANNG
Doctrine Of Crop Rotation zealously
Preached,
Commissioners of Agriculture .wnkin-
son ana Auburn Authorities ;
Advise .Let Cotton Go to
Farmers Bank Account.s
MAKE FARM sELF-sUSTAINING

Make oats, corn, hay and ~othel
profitable crops for support and lei
the cotton go for the farmers bank
account" was the doctrine zealously
preached during one OF the most ex'
tensive and significant campaigns OF
education ever unnertaken along any
line OF endeavor In Alabama. which has
just been completed by the agricul-
turaI authorities ofsthe State. consist
ing of the Commissioner of Agricul-
ture and the faculty Of the Alabama
Polytechnic Institute.
To make the farm self-sustaining
and 70 show the doctrine of crop-ro-
tation,A the main efforts OF the cru
saders were devoted. Throughout
north Alabama, and the eastern and
western portions Of the State two par
ties havs toured. three speakers be-
ing attached to each party, AMI 1So
speeches. in all. having been made
The purpose of the authorities was
TO take education into the homes OF
the farmers, and to fulfin the purpose,
the method Of holding farmers insti-
tute was adopted. Many of the farm
ers hesitate to attend the annual in
stitute at Auburn. both on account OF
their business, and, In some instances.
Of their poverty. And, that all might
efS@a VA eAC auftGC VI cAVtEtSp NfiG itA-
ports went to the farmers In this
way, during the past Ave weeks. a
lecturing school has been presented
to the people In the hills, ana county
villages and court houses.
The topics discussed were the soils
and soil work of the State, the prep
aration OF the soil. and the Importance
of Incorporating into the soil vegetable
matter. for natural nutrition. better
1a
farming. the importance-and how to
notwithstanding the farm self sus-
tanning. the power of organization,
live stock, etc
Inasmuch as cotton Is held to be the
money crop. II was endeavored to In
still in the farmers the idea of de-
pending on other crops. which could
be raised during all portions of the
year. for their sustenance, and for the
support of the farm. while the money
from the cotton crop, which would
come In its season, will go Into the
bank as profit.
Crop rotation--both as a means OF
increased output and profit. and as a
means OF natural fertiiization--was
stressed. Plant corn and peas, turn
ing the peas under; then oats and
peas, again turning the peas under
Then plant the cotton crop, and SC
on
1t was shown that, by the use OF
one crop, with the soil left nakei and
bare during the four other months, q
loss of So an acre. in the>yalue of the
land, is incurred,
The planting Of peas and leguminou.
crops. that the nitrogen to be derived
therefrom may go into the land a.
fertilization during the months wher
the money crop-cotton--is idle. wa,
one OF the salient points Of the cam.
paign's lectures.
The growth of corn and oats and
other crops. in rotation with cotton
was stressed.
Asked as to the efficacy of the viii.
hanson corn method. Commissioner
Wilkinson replied that all the speakers
in his party had universally advised
the farmers to try it--that he was con.
WINGED that 1t would prove success
In some soil types, and when season.
were good-that it would fail In 9th.
er soil types. Therefore, he advised
farmers. with the others of his party
to test 1t. and learn where 1t would
and where It would not pay.
He concluded by saying that oat.
was, in many soils. more profitable
to raise than corn--"but make corn
or oats. or hay. and let the cotton &c
to the farmers bank account"
The Institutes will be resumed later
during the year. the farmers being al
present too much behind, or too bus,
to be entirely interested as the pro.
iect deservea