The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-30
GREAT EFFORTS To
ASSIST FARMERS
Diversification of Crops Is the
Slogan In Mississippi
COTTON NOT ONLY CROP
Farmers Are Being Shown How To
Raise Hay, Peanuts, Rice and
Other Products Since Boil
WeevII Ruined Cotton.

Jackson, Miss, November 2s-(special.)
mississippi congressman who represent
districts In the boil weevil districts, and
where they are liable to make their ap-
pearance during the next season, have
been very active in assisting their con-
stituents toward Investigation of crops
that will help them to bear losses on
account of the weevils In years to come,
and perhaps put them in line to make
more real profit than they ever have on
cotton.
The department Of agriculture at WASH
ington has been very generous and has
furnished experts from any bureau asked
for. For instance. Congressman Dick
son has had the assistant horticultural
from the bureau of plant industry down
in his district to tell his people how to
grow peanuts for profit and If his figures
are correct they may thank their stars
they have seen the end of cotton grow
ing. He advised that only Spanish pea
nuts be planted and declared that the
cost of cultivation should not be more
than 80 per acre. He knew Of a 16-acrc
field which last year produced $50 bushels
of peanuts and II tons of hay, and that
when the stand was bad. The nuts sold
at 80 cents per bushel and the hay at
s15 ton, so that the income from this
small farm was nearly $1,000, and the land
was greatly improved. inasmuch as the
peanut draws so pounds of nitrogen from
the atmosphere per acre.
Further up tho Mississippi valley Con-
gresham Humphreys has been visiting
several Of the larger plantations. &C.
companied by another government agent.
an expert In rice culture. and 1t Is stated
that great many acres OF rice will be
planted next spring 1t has already been
demonstrated that Honduran rice grows
and natures to perfection, 80 bushels to
the acre, In the Delta counties in north
west Mississippi. and other farmers will
arrange to make it a permanent crop
hereafter.
Evidence and testimony to prove that
the boil weevil is a blessing in disguise
to the southern farmer continue to pile up.
Farmers Union Meeting.
The Mississippi division Of the Farmers
union will meet in this city on the LIST of
December for its annual convention, last
ing three days, and during which time the
officers for the ensuing year are to be
chosen 1t is expected that this meeting
will bring to town the largest number OF
farmers that ever attended similar con-
vention in this state, and that there will
be some lively and interesting features
during the three-day session.
1t is known of all men that there are
some serious dissentions in the ranks. and
that the opposition to the present man
agement will play very bold hand.
While It is not believed these dissatisfied
elements will be strong enough to carry
out their threats, they will be found in
the midst of the liveliest fray the union
has ever encountered.
President Hightower is not at all
alarmed over the promises Of the opposi-
ton to make it very lively for him and
other officers of the big organization. He
has been hearing rumblings for some
time, but has paid little attention to
them. He Is not candidate for re-elec-
ton, declaring his private interests are
suffering because of his absence from
home, but In the event the convention
should call on him to remain at the helm
he will not decline.
1t is possible that there will be other
candidates for the presidency. but It is
not believed Hightower can be ousted.
The present high price of cotton may be
due to some extent to the holding move
ment and the warehouse system covering
the state that was inaugurated by Presi-
dent Hightower, and If that be true. he is
entitled to the credit. If the price of cot
ton had gone down under Hightower's
leadership. his defeat would have been
easy of accomplishment. But providence
and the bulls have been ON Hightower's
side In this fight for higher prices for the
great southern staple, and his seat is Sc
cure for a while longer
Capt. J. ]. Haynie, one Of the leaders to
the opposition to Hightower arrived in the
! city few days ago, and does not hesitate
| to declare his intention of going after the
! scalp of some of the present OFFICERS.
! 1t is supposed that Bro. G. B. Waller
Of Rankin county, the leader in the
charges preferred against President High
| tower few months ago. will also be on
, hand, as will several others who oppose
the present administration of the AFFAIRS
| of the union.
New Kind Of Cotton.
Prof w C. Wolborn fosmarfx AZ tha