The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-23
SOUND ADVICE IS
GIVEN TO FARMER
BE-. Yoakum Discusses Swamp
Land Reclamation
RICH SOIL UNDEVtLOFED
Mr.. Yoakum points Out What Has
Been Done BY irrigation and
Shows How Southern Farmer
May Reap Benefits.
RICH SOIL UNDEVEL0FED

Washington, December 22.-(Special.)-
The Importance and urgent need of the
reclamation of unproductive swamp lands
of the south and southwest is strik-
ingly presented in letter to q. A. Cole,
president of the Farmers union, by b. f.
Yoakum the well-known railroad man
who is taking leading part in the de-
velopment of the states in the Mississippi
valley. Mr.. Yoakum tells the people OF
tho south they should get busy on this
question of reclaiming neglected swamp
lands, and as an incentive to action PIC
lures the practical results that are hkeiy
to follow such development.
This question of drainage is carried
home in forceful manner to Mr.. Cole,
who is a citizen OF Arkansas There are
6000,O0O acres of undeveloped swamp
lands in that state, which if drained and
settled, Mr.. Yoakum demonstrates
would increase the wealth held sl,ooo,-
100000 and add so per cent to Arkansas
entire population. The letter speaks OF
the existence of the same neglected OPP
south. equally as attractive and inviting
for development.
This letter of Mr.. Yoakum's, which Is
regarded by many congressman as the
most effective word yet spoken in oehalr
of the reclamation of the rich swamp
lands Of the south, shows that drainage
is much less costly, and produces quicker
ton, Co mr.
appeal to southern men to seize the
present as the opportune time for the
development of their section, and will no
doubt attract widespread attention. Mr..
Yoakum's letter follows herewith:
Mr.. Yoakum's Letter.
Dear Mr.. Cone: In reference to our cor
respondence and talks on the subject Of
reclamation of unproductive swamp
lands, wish to bring to your attention
the Importance of reclamation by drain
age OF the swamp lands of Arkansas and
the Mississippi valley.
From n business standpoint we are all
interested In such development, but the
question goes far beyond the advantage
to any class of individuals or corpora
lions. There is no question before the
public at this time SO pressing as that
of increasing the quantity of food stu1fs
of this country. 1t is an accepted TACT
that the consumption of food is increas-
ing at a greater ratio than its produc-
ton. Any proposition which involves the
bringing under cultivation more acres
of land concerns not only the man or
men who will own and cultivate that
land, but the millions who will be sup
piled with Its products.
Much has been accomplished in the
northwest In retaining arid lands by ir-
rigation. This is one of the most I'M
nortant works the government has under
taken, but irrigation of arid lands is slow
of results and expensive as compared
with drainage of our swamp lands; be-
sides the arid lands put under cuitiVa-
ton by irrigation are usually far from
the great consuming centers Of the coun-
try.
Not Good Business.
TRANSFORMATION company is perfectly
willing to haul a carload of tomatoes po-
tatoes. beets or other vegetables 1900 or
1000 miles from an irrigated farm TO the
city where it Is to be eaten, but that is
not good business for the thrifty mousse
keeper who is the one that pays the trans
portation charges on her supply or table
vegetables. The more delicate and ius-
cious fruits and berries which are raised
on expensive irrigated lands are really
luxuries consumed in expensive city res
taurants and hotels and In homes where
cost of living does not have to be consid-
cred. These far-off irrigated farms do
not produce the potatoes, tomatoes, on
ions, beans, carrots etc., which are used
in kitchens of large congested cities.
where small items of cost are matters Oh
serious Importance. When we enter fash
fonable hotels and restaurants in New
York Chicago, and other cities, and or
der half a cantaloupe at 80 and 40 cents,
and oranges. grapes and luxuries from
extensive irrigated farms, transported
$500 miles by rail, we do not have to count
the cost. but the wives of millions of the
working classes must consider every pen
ny that is expended for food.
There are in the Mississippi valley 25,-
, 100000 acres of land, an area equal to the
| state of Kentucky, with as rich and as
| productive alluvial soil as can be found
anywhere in the world. The governments
bureau of drainage has made several sur
yeys of districts in Arkansas, Mississippi
and Louisiana, and its estimate of the
cost of draining these lands ready for
cultivation is an average of $4.S6 per acre.
Average Size Farm.
On the assumption that the Mississippi
valley would be divided into farms of an
average size of 80 acres, which would
provide 3l2,5OO farmers with comfortable
homes, and that there would be seveh
persons. including children, to the farm,
It would increase the population of that
section 100000, which would be added to
by the population of numerous thrifty
towns These lands would Immediately
appreciate in value over their present
figure not less than $50 per acre, total
increase of $750,000,000 on land values
alone, to say nothing of the farm ma
chinery, live stock and other property
that constitutes a thrifty farming COM
munity. The annual products Of the Mis-
sissippi valley awaiting drainage. at the
low average of $40 per acre, would be
worth $500. 100000 annually to the farmers
cultivating these lands
In the state Of Arkansas, drainage and
its results is merely matter of mathe-
NAUTICAL calculations. In Arkansas there
are 100000 acres of swamp lands awaiting
drainage, which, as shown by government
reports. will cost s8.&s per acre to prepare
for cultivation. We all know that unpro-
ductive swamp lands held at from IS to
$40 per acre, after drainage sell for from
SEQ TO 500 per acre depending on location,
! 50 it is safe to say. that the swamp lands
# Arkansas when drained would en-
nance in value $85 per acre. This would
add s210.000 900 to the value Of tbs fAsA