The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1911-02-06

spent a day with A. w. Brown drlVihs
through the hill country at the head OF
Tomas valley. lust above Mt. Pinson.
Every mile of the days journey present.
ed some feature of engaging interest,"
A little hill farm on the side or the crest
of a mountain. valley farm nesting III
a cove or the windings of Turkey creek
as pure and clear as crystal, each ana
all presented something Of peculiar at
tractiveness.
The college graduate building an egg
factory on a mountain, a poultry farm
who're fine breeds of chickens will be
grown a hill farmer turning MS Tune
and attention to the breeding OF me
blooded hogs, the healthy, rosy-cheeked
maidens and rolicking boys, the hope OF
the country, and the majesty OF the
everlasting hills, made up a panoramic
collection of events and scenes that was
NOT only refreshing but inspiring.
Plight at the head of Jones valley Is
found ]. G. Rogers, one of the pioneer
farmers of Jefferson county. He was
breaking I'D his garden with mule
between which and pesky dog tnat IN
sisted on barking at everyone who passed
he divided liberal flow OF. surplus IN
vective.
Passion and garden work somehow go
hand in hand. If there 10 no dog or mule
TO cuss you can always find something
that ruffles the peace of mind and the
bann;ness of the community, and on
which YOU can pour your pent-up wrath
or bust.
Mr.. Taylor is one of the substantial
citizens of the. county and has always
taken a lead in the educational, social
and material development of his COM
n,unity. He has something more than $40
acres of the fine land along Turkey creek
and in the coves opening into the north
ern extremity of Jones valley. He has
always lived at home and has been able
to give his children liberal education and
Law by some for his declining years.
"If n farmer In jefferson county can
not produce his own foodstuffs at home
he should quit the business of farming
said Mr.. Taylor as he gave the dog an
extra kick for good measure.
He has sweet potatoes still banked in
the corner of his garden, corn In the
barn and meat in the smokehouse.
little further up one of the coyes we
came to the home OF William r. Good
win. one of the substantial farmers of
this section He has handsome home
and good hill farm.
On the top of one of the steep noun
tains on this farm we found by walking
up one of the most remarkable pieces of
ground in the state. A large field cover
ing rolling, stony plateau on top of
the mountain at least 800 feet above sea
level and more than 100 feet above Jones
valley | saw evidences of wonderful
yield of corn and cotton. Here l saw
cotton and cornstalks that canuot be sur
passed In any section of the state The
cotton stalks still standing are higher
than the average mans head and are
loaded with matured bolls. l could not
get the figures on last years yield. but
the wear before a tenant with one mule
on this same field made 10 bales OF cotton
and 14O bushels of corn.
And yet it has been claimed that the
rocky hills of Jefferson county will not
produce stuff.
We passed the country homes of the
three Gibson brothers. They are away
making steel in the Birmingham plants.
but they are building farm homes here
that are a credit to the county.
They are developing the fields and will
make them ideal In every respect
We found a real character In j.
Smith, patriarchal veteran with wide,
flowing white beard and eyes as keen as
the stars.
He settled on this farm which is fluted
by the rocky foothills about 80 years ago,
and has managed to force through the