The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-05
l9 s+ a Committee of Farmers
 Union Here. ARE LOOKING INTO FARM
 RESOURCES OF THE STATE Close Competition of West is Hurt
 ing "Little FelIows.' zAe wnliamsen Cora Methods As Pas- lishea is Attrsetiss hreA
 Attention h The westsra N- Corn Fields.

.rricultural Alabama Is a topic oi ,nucn reconsideration in the western etates. especially among the farmers of Michigan. Stock raising. of all kinds. and what can be done on the farms of this state Is something the Michigan farmers want to know, for many are thinking of coming here TO be absolutely sure about the subject, 2 committee has been sent to make tour of Alabama and report what they see to those at home who are waiting to come South.
 While interest in Alabama mineral deyelopment Is rife in the local busi- ness centres and throughout the United States, the states agricultural and stock raising assets are calling for as much attention. The extensive interest that has been awakened through the facts proclaimed through the Com merciai Club. the Southern Commercial Congress. the williamson Corn Method data and the general information sent out by Secretary Dave of the Commer- cial Club. giving the report of the agricultural experiment station at Auburn College. has called the attention of Western farmers to this section of the country.
 As a direct result of the information given out about these matters and through them. farmers of Michigan have sent two men, who might be called committee Of inspection, 10 investigate the farm resources of the state. These men, Ex-Mayor George s. AIdrich of St. Louis. Mich, and Charles D. Wilson of the same city called at the Commercial Club Thursday to con suit with Secretary Dave. Mir. Aldrieh is one of the leading real estate men of his state and is Interested in sew eral development companies. Mir. Will son is acting as a eonsultant and Is also taking photographs of farms here, the general condition of the land, pro- ducts of the state and agricultural pro- ducts as they grow In the fields.
 With competition 50 close in the West, and the vast fieldg that are cultivated by capitalized companies. the smaller farmers are being crowded put, the wholesale prices accepted by their competitors forcing the little fel- lows to the wall Existing conditions there have laid but che course open to the small land owners. emigration. and naturally they are deeply interested in Alabama and the great fields along the courses ef the rivers Of the state.
 The information presented in the Williamson Corn Method reports. as published in The Advertiser. have been widely read in Michigan and have created no little interest. The report of the experiment station at Auburn, confirming the adaptability of Southern soil to the cultivation of corn has ciinched the impression about the Rdvisability of raising corn here. The only drawback 30 far met in the thought of their moving here is the known discriminatory tactics of certain southern railroads, regarding the rates charged on southern produced grain, but 1t is believed that this difficulty Rhd barrier to the development of the grain industry here win eventually be Burmounted by competition among the railroads for the traffic. when 1t is suf. ficiently developed, and the advent of new roads that will follow the open. ing of the Panama Canal.
 Stock Raising Prospects.
 Stock raising Is also being carefully noted by the visitors. and they have shown deep interest In the use of cot- ton seed meal as stock food. With this source of stock food supply con. stantIy growing and the expected in. crease in the production of corn and other grain. the visiting gentlemen ex- press themselves as feeling satisfied with the supply of food stuffs. The al nF aaxPArA nn1A 4vna4tn.. kL.A