The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28
SOUTH |S MAKING
 RAPID ADVANCE Secretary Wilson Is Much Im- pressed With Resources CAMPAIGN OF EDUCATION Good Results Accrue From Farmers Congress at Raleigh and Many
 Eyes Are Turned Toward op-
 portunities In the South.
CAMPAIGN OF EDUCATION

Farmers congress in Raleigh, which was attended by 1000 delegates from all parts of the nation; by Secretary of Agriculture Wilson, British Ambassador James Bryce. and other prominent citizens, and it is a cry that promises to displace the shib- boleth of another day to which express sion was given by the editorial sage of two. generations ago in speaking of the future development of the country.
 Secretary of Agriculture Wilson is a great believer in the wonderful agricul- tura1 possibilities of the south. He has exploded the idea that there are worn out lands in the south that cannot be made as productive as the best farming lands in the nation. The head of the depart ment of agriculture has outlined simple methods of farming to guide the planter in the south, which he says will make the lands of that section equally as productive as the rich soils of the northwest, and will at the same time result in increased crops of double and treble proportions.
 The Secretary of Agriculture Is of the i opinion that the south Is making the most rapid advance of all sections in ag-
 
 of lands and the possibility for making them the equal of any for agricultural purposes leads MT. Wilson to the belief that many farmers in various sections of the country will migrate to the south to engage in farming.
 Land Is Cheap.
 In most interesting interview on the agricultural possibilities of the south, MT. Wilson said today:
 "The cheapest thing fin the south today Is land. Some of those farmers from the northwest, who attended the annual con- vention of the National Farmers con- gress, in Raleigh, N. C., this month, own farms at home that are worth from 3l00 to $50 per acre. Southern lands that will produce equally as well are held at great deal less. The southern farmer has yet much improvements to make in the methods of agriculture. The most strik- ing advances of the south have been along manufacturing lines. No farmer can leave his southern land to better his con- diton by farming anywhere else. The meeting of the Farmers congress at Raleigh will result in many farmers of the north selling their dear lands and locating in the south to buy cheaper lands"
 Asked the question whether the farm lands of the south can be made as pro- ducdve as the rich lands of the north west. which sell for $50 an acre, MT. Wilson saidi Why, of course Whats the hindrance7 But the southern farmer must quit sending his cotton seed meal over the world to enrich other lands. He must use this rich fertilizer himself. Tho south has produced this year the heaviest i corn crop 1t has ever grown. This in- crease is due to the demonstration work of this department Our campaign of edu- cation is finally producing results. The next step will be for the farmer of the south to grow his own hogs. and make his own meat from his own corn Dr. Knapp has prepared circular showing them how to do this. We have circulated 10000 copies of these, and I gave au- thority today to print 6O.0oo more.
 Farming Is Progressing.
 '"The farming industry in the south is picking up. Right now more progress is being made in the south in improving farming conditions than in any other section of the country.
 Anybody who says the farm lands of the south are played out does not know what he is talking about The rundown farming lands can be brought back to their original state and made fertile as ever. There has already been a won derful improvement in the condition of some southern lands. First it will be necessary to rotate crops and make pas- lures. Eliminate the cattle tick, and feed the cotton seed meal of the south to the cattle, and the southern farmer will grow twice or three times as much cotton to the acre as he does now. And this ratio of increased productiveness will apply to all crops. The southern farmer does not fully appreciate the st- uation and he will not until he finally begins to double and treble his present crops on the same acreage
 The Cattle Tick.
 "One thing I want to carry home to the southern farmer Get rid of tho cattle tick. If the farmers of the south will cooperate with this department they will soon be rid of the pest. We have already eliminated the cattle tick from 75,00o square miles in the south. In course of time the tick will be entirely eradi cated, but 1t is important to the south to make a successful fight without de- lay"
 Speaking of the work that Is being car ried on in the south by the department for the improvement of agricultural con- ditions there, Mir Wilson said.
 We have an organization in the twelve states of the south. This work is under the direction of Dr. Knapp, who has a representative in each state, and through him. representatives in each county. The great object is to show the poorer class of farmers by demonstration how to grow better crops.
 Bane of the Farmers.
 '-rhe bureau of animal industry is at work to get rid o0lthe cattle tick, which is the bane of the southern farmers. The tick takes 200 pounds of blood from l each head of cattle in the course of q | year. and makes the growing of cattle unproductive. To the end that southern l people can keep more cattle, so that | they can renovate their soil and bring i 1t back to it's original strength by graz. | ing cattle, sheep etc., cattle should be fed on cotton seed meal. Not a pound of cotton seed meal should be shipped from the south. It is the best fertilizer In the world, and is destined to greatly increase the wealth of the southern farmer.
 'sThe dairy industry in the south is also receiving the attention of the de- partment of agriculture. This work of helping and encouraging the southern farmer is under the direction of Mir. Rawl, the chief of the dairy division. The plant breeders in the department arc creating new varieties of cotton, other plants and citrus fruits. Other~of our bureaus are working along particular lines, all for the purpose of building up the agriculture of the south" 
 Back From Exile.