The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-08
ONE SUCCESSFUL
 ALABAMA FARMER W. c. Benton and Family Have
 Ideal Life NO OUTSIDE LAB0RERS Telegraph Operator Who Abandoned
NO OUTSIDE
Telegraph Operator Who Abandoned the Key for More CongeniaI Oc- cupatlon-Has Made Money
 and Enjoys Life.

A writer in the Washington Herald, writing from Columbiana, in Shelby coun- ty Alabama, has the following to say about one of the most progressive farm CTS in the state.
 There are many fine farms in this vii cinity. but the best equipped is that of w c. Benton, on the Siluria road, near Montevallo.
 While MT. Benton has a large farm he Is cultivating only limited acre. age this year. He was born within three miles of his present home, his ancestors being among the pioneers of the coun- try.
 While young man MT. Benton learned telegraphing, and became an agent of the Louisville and Nashville railroad. He be- gan to invest his earnings In land and to farm from the start. His farm Is equip ped with reversible disc blows for break ing land and all other machines that help to make farming a pleasure. His crops are so well tended by his sons, and the land Is so well prepared in advance, that his corn runs from 30 to 75 bushels to the acre. his oats over 90, while a bale of cotton to the acre is not unusual, and other things in proportion.
 Operates a Grst Mlll.
 Mir Benton has a first-class grist mill on his farm, and makes a good deal of flour and meal each year. His home Is a comfortable one, with wide verandas on all sides. The grounds are beautified by towering shrubbery. The adjoining gardens contain fruit and vegetables for home consumption, and the house is on high ground, with perfect drainage in all directions.
 Seated on the porch in the evening after a hot July day, 1t is like some mountain summer resort, with the fresh breeze flaming ene's face, and there Is not a mosquito about the place.
 The barns are substantial structures; also on well drained site. A wide pas sageway with space for a high load of hay to enter runs from end to end of the main barn, with lofts on either side for hay and forage, and stalls and gran aries under these lofts
 The lofts are filled with the finest al- falfa hay, the granaries with oats, COW peas and other grain. It is a scene of abundance which one would like to see on every farm in Alabama.
 Mixes Farm Fertilizers.
 A feature of Mir. Bentons farm work Is the mixing of his own fertilizers. He buys the best ingredients in bulk and then makes them to fit the requirements of each crop, according to the scientific rules laid down Dy the asrlculluldl ue- partment
 It Is plain throughout that MT. Benton has mixed goodly proportion of brains with his labor. There is not hired hand on the place as regular thing. One son takes charge of the feeding. and needs no call to get him out at o'clock each morning to feed the stock and get them ready for the days work. The regular work of the farm has not interfered with the boys who remain at home in obtain ing a good education.
 The home is in charge of Mrs Benton and her young daughters, who take pride In their part of the programme. Abund- ance of poultry, milk, and eggs are al- ways on hand. with other products of the farm and garden which add to the com fort and well being of the family Per haps no other department is of more in terest anu value than Mrs. Benton's can ming outfit, where she puts up supply of all the luxuries for winter use.
 Taken altogether, 1t has not been the writer's good fortune to see in the south a farm which so fully represents all that the poets write about when they describe the American country home.