The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-06
SOMETHING OF THE . BLACK BELT FARMER Yield During the Past Sea-
 son Was Heavy
 DEMOPOLIs COTTON
Farmers in Demopolis Section and Marengo County Are Demon strating Solution of High
 Cost of Living
Rx LESSEE n. HEARIN

Demopolis. November 5.-(SpeciaL)-
 Much has been written and said about
 prize acres and prize winners in the
 agricultural development of Alabama, and
 recently my attention has been attracted
 by some achievements in this dhe De-
 morois) section, where farmers, not
 working for prize, but simply in the or
 dirary course of their farming opera
 tons have demonstrated the possibilities
 Of intelligent farming.
 John C. Webb, one of Maren2o's largest
 planters and cotton growers, has this year raised two bales of cotton on seven eigLths of an acre. This was grown on a vacant lot in the city of Demopois, ]ust across the street from the handsome Webb home.
 On another body of land on the edge of the city limits, MT. Webb has lo acres in cotton that will produce at least a half bale of cotton to the acre. This cotton was planted June 2 and chopped cut July and 5.
 On this same land a splendid crop Of cats was grown and cut before the cotton was planted, and MT Webb states that
 he will plant another crop on the same
 land as soon as the cotton is all picked iI. R. Vaughan, five miles from Demop- Oils, HdS lllS year SdllIcIcu iiteiO iiiCi V than six bales of cotton from five acres. This land produced until a few years ago | less than a bale to three acres MT. Vaughan also raises an abundance. Of corn, hogs and sheep.
 J. P. Boggess and son. cotton raisers, have 30 acres of land less than two miles from Demopolis. On this 30 acres they have this year raised 17,960 pounds of lint | cotton. This is only 60 pounds less than To. sures me he will gather three more bales from this land, which would make 39 | bales to 30 acres.
 Near Lndon. this county, E. C. Coats has raised something over six bales of cotton on four acres, and his neighbor, J. Y. Aston. has gathered two and one quarter bales on one acre.
 | These are not the only farmers In this sdtion that are demonstrating the possi- eilities of heavy yields. Compton & Bley, 10 miles from Demopolis, have a magnifi- cent plantation, where modern methods
 are employed. They will make 600 bales of cotton this year and 10000 bushels of corn. Besides, they have fine herds of cattle, plenty of fat hogs and an abund- ance of alfalfa and other high class feed stuff.
 This farm was until four years ago waste land used only for pasture. A DdlG or cotton 10 the acre and bushels of corn to the acre no longer attract any special attention in this sec tion. Our farmers are learning the value of alfalfa, fine stock and diversified farming. n1E t Improved agricultural implements are being sold in larger quantities than ever before and farm life in the black belt is taking on a dignity and joy that was ! never dreamed of in the day when only totton was planted aftf | The Black Belt Fair, just closed. has shown our own people that in this sec tion the finest cattle sheep, hogs, mules, horses. poultry and other things that
 make living at home" profitable, can be
 ra'sed more economically and easily than in any other section of the country. Our best and most intelligent farmers are preparing surprise party for the boil weeyi when he reaches us, ana lave an idea that when the weevil finds cr'bs piled high with the finest corn, pas lures filled with herds of the best cat te pens of fat hogs, barns of alfalfa and other rich hays, f1oclzs of sheep and goats,
 gardens of vegetables. orchards of lus-
 cious fruits and plenty everywhere. he
 will fly high and rapidly to find a land
 there his welcome will be warmer.
 If one really desires to know where to
 find the "very best,' you can safely di-
 rect him to the black belt of Alabama.
 but tell him to come now while the lands
 c1n be bought at reasonable prices, for
 our people are learning the value of their
 own lands, and each year they are put
 ting higher value on whatever they can
 afford to divide with the stranger.