The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-14
FARMERS GATHER
NEAR UN|ONTOWN
Preparation Against Approach
of Boil Weevil Urged
LITTLE TIME TO PREPARE
Agricultural Expert Declares That Fail
IRE to Make Ready for Pest Means
Ruin for Farmer-Underwood
and Taylor Speak
ny WALTER HARPER

Jniontown, July 3.-(Special.)-The an
nual barbecue and farmers institute, I'M
der the auspices of the Canebrake exper-
iment station. was held at the home of
william Munford. four miles north of
Uniontown. today. Neadly 900 of the lead
ing farmers of the three counties CEN
tering here were In attendance.
Preparation against the approach of the
boil weevil was the keynote of the meet
ing. DR.. w. J. Spilman, agriculturist Oh
the department of agriculture. Washing
ton, sounded a note of warning that could
not be mistaken. He said one of these
days, and not long off. "a storm of bugs
billions strong will come on the south
west wind, settle down in your cotton
fields and you who have not prepared for
the inevitable disaster will be swept from
your feet with financial ruin.
People and stock have starved to death
in the wake of this on-moving disaster.
Some of you will suffer when it reaches
this section. 1t can be no more than
four years off. 1t is liable to come in two
years. Get ready for the disaster. Plant
alfalfa. You that are growing alfalfa
grow more. Raise cattle. boys and sheep.
Plant corn and potatoes. l want to alarm
the people of this section. 1t is time
for you to become alarmed. But L want
| to say that the canebrake section of Ala
bama is getting in the besN shape to meet
the boil weevil of any section In the
state, but still there are hundreds that are
not ready and these will suffer"
This note of alarm was stressed by
every other speaker except Congressman
G. w. Taylor of the Second district. who
expressed the belief that some means Of
combating the weevil would be devised
before it destroyed one of the greatest
industries in the world.
| r. W. Winston of the bureau of soils
and soil utilization washington. described
the value of soil surveys and the adop-
ton of plants to soils. His address was
received with enthusiasm.
Dr. Cooper Cartice of the federal de-
partment discussed the Importance of cat
tie tick eradication.
w. L. Henderson. Industrial agent of
the Southern and Mobile and Ohio rail-
ways, made an interesting talk on the re-
lation of the railroads to the develop
ment of the agricultural interests.
Congressman Oscar w. Underwood adj
dressed the farmers on general subjects
affecting their interest. He pledged his
support In any effort to eradicate the cat
tie tick and reviewed the work of the
last Congress that effects the farmer.
Congressman Taylor followed Mr.. I'm
derwood. His speech, too. was full of
wholesome encouragement and much
merit. rwANTyI
Prof. Sam Tracy. one of the oldest men
in the department of agriculture, dis
cussed the importance of immediate prep
aration for the boil weevil w. H. Tay-
| lor. chairman of the board of control
| of the experiment station. was master of
| ceremonies and introduced the speak
| ers.
| The barbecue was a most delightful af-
| fair. The food was delightful The meats
were all produced on the experiment farm
and were pronounced as the finest ever
served by everyone present. Capt. P. e.
Irby was in charge of the barbecuing
| and P. j. Davidson was in charge of
| the tables. Men in charge had well or
| ganized assistants and the affair was a
| success In every respect.