The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-27

yet available but will show a big ad- vance over 1909.
 The increase over average yields in Alabama in 1909, on demonstration farms, amounted to 7S5 bales of cotton, which, at s6o per bale, was worth s47,109; corn, 247o0 bushels, which. at 80 cents per bush el was worth s19 760. The total value of increase in cotton and corn amounted Q s66, ,s6O The total cost of the demonstra- tion work in Alabama during the year was s25,0o0 The return on the invest ment was, therefore, approximately 275 per cent.
 The increase in eleven southern states on demonstration farms alone amounted to 13,750 bales of cotton, worth at s6o per bale, $S25,000 corn increase, 609,54 bushels. worth at 80 cents per bushel, s4S6, 643 20 The total value of increase in cotton and corn in eleven southern states, by reason of the farm demonstra- tion work, was s1,311, ,64S. 20.
 While the average yield of corn per acre in Alabama during the year 1909 was 135 bushels per acre, the average yield per acre on farms where demon- stration methods were used was 33.2.
 These figures take no account of the increases that have been made on the farms of those farmers adjoining the demonstration farms and which have profted by the experience and instruc- tions had on the actual demonstration farm.
 Most wonderful Improvements has been made on practically all the farms of Alabama that are situated in communi- ties where demonstration work has been carried on. This is a part of the gen. eral results that are intended to be ob- tained by the department. The work is for the general good of the people and an effort is always made to interest all farmers, whether they agree to cooper ate in the conduct of demonstration farm or not. Indeed, it would be i'm possible for the local agent to visit all the farms of any county as often as he should and 1t Is better that only one or two farms in community are se- lected for the actual demonstration work. A.
 The value of farm demonstration work in Jefferson county cannot be estimated in doll4fs and dimes. It would do nprc eventually to bring desirable farm imfmi- grants to this section than any other one thing. Prospective settlers want to know what the land will do, how much stuff it will grow and what kind of stun may be grown Demonstration farms develop all these facts to the very best adyan- tage and then the reports are filed In the agricultural department at Washing ton for the beneht or those WHO may ue- sire information.
 Twenty-seven first-class farmers settled in one section of Madison county during the month of last January solely on the strength of results shown by the demon- stration agents of the United States gov ernment Not one dollar was expended by the people in the community or, in the county for the purpose of securing the immigrants with the exception of small amount appropriated by the county com missioners to supplement the work of the department in supplying the local agents
 The present legislature appropriated small amount of money to supplement the federal department fund in Alabama. The legislature also authorized the coun- ty commissioners in the various counties of the state to further supplement the fund.
 There is not enough money in the fed eral and state fund to keep man busy all the year round and for this reason the counties have been given the authority to supplement the fund. It is the best money that any county has spent
 Heretofore some of the commercial bodies in the larger towns like Selma Florence and others have supplemented the government fund 70 good advantage. The Business Mems league of Selma ap- propriates $1S00 a year to the work in Dal- las county and the investment has been remarkably profitable.
 Jefferson county will need to supple ment the fund in some way to secure the services of a first-class man all the year round.
 However, local agent will be appointed this week to begin the work with the funds available. The board of revenue will be asked to supplement the state and government fund so as to keep a good man in the field all the year round.
 In Jefferson county special attention will be given to the growing of food products. If the present production in the county is increased even 25 per cent during the first year of the demonstra- ton it will more than repay the people for the small amount that will be asked.
 J. T. Watt, in charge of farm demon- stration work for north Alabama, has been in Birmingham for a few days iook ing over the field and talking with lead- ing citizens and officials about the plans for tho county. He has also been lock- ing for the proper man to put in charge of the work.
 He Is very hopeful that the people of Birmingham and Jefferson county will see the value of the work and respond to the necessity of keeping a good man on the work all the year round.