The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-25
BESSEMER MAN
 MAKES 4 RECORD Uses Dynamite to Help
 Grow Cotton ELKS GIVE PRESENTS Christmas Tree of Elks Lodge In Bessemer Was Great Success. Personal and General News
 of the City

Bessemer, December 24-(special1--J. H. Johnson, who lives a few miles west of Bessemer, raised 1767 pounds of lint cotton on one acre this year. He used dynamite. which he says is responsible for the remarkable yield.
 MT. Johnson states that he checks the land, and every eight feet digs hole three feet deep with steel bar, and into each hole he places one-half stick of dynamite. Packing the hole with dirt, he then fires the fuse. This loosens the earth to such an extent that even in drouth the roots of the plant can seek nourishment at great depth and find moisture unattainable by blowing. He states that this method will also eliminate insects within the radius of the explo- sion
 Last year MT. Johnson raised four anu one-half bales of cotton on an acre dyna- mited in this year, and he believes that land dynamited and properly fertilized and cultivated would yield five bales of cotton to the acre in a good crop year.
 O1QBT lile tdpllpils Al " V Upon an Agricultural Revolution?' the Manufacturers Record of recent issue publishes an editorial which in part is as follows:
 we have before us a sworn statement of J. H Johnson of Bessemer, Ala, 10 the effect that he has been growing cot ton since he was large enough to work; that he is now 57 years of age, and that during all of that period the maximum yield that he ever secured was one bale to the acre until he commenced experi- menting with dynamite. This year he subsoiled one acre with dynamite, ana though a bad storm reduced the yield below what it would otherwise have been. he raised 1767 pounds of lint cotton on one acre. He states that last year he raised gour and one-half bales to the acre on another tract dynamited in the same way, and expresses his opinion that dyna- mited land. properly fertilized and culti- vated. in good crop year would yield five bales to the acre.
 If this statement were unsupported by other investigations it might be regarded as the visionary hope of dreamer, but others are claiming similar results. More over, the claim is made that the dyna- hitting of land in this way not only solves the drouth problem by loosening the soil to such an extent that the roots of the plant can seek nourishment to much greater depth than under any method Of blowing. but that this system will de- stroy the insects within the radius of the explosion, and thus possibly open a way to exterminate the boil weevil as well as ether destructive pests"
 The Christmas tree given for the poor yesterday afternoon by the Elks at their hall proved a complete success. A large number of children and "grownups" were present, and old Santa Claus was there with something for everyone. About 2oO baskets filled with clothing, toys ana fruits of all kind were given out while II dinners for Christmas were delivered Two hundred and fifty bags of fruits and nuts were given the children, ana two tons of coal were distributed among those who were in need of it. The com mittee visited all of the homes of those in need, to find out what each needed.
 The members of the Methodist church and all pupils of the Sunday school are requested to meet Monday night at the High school auditorium. for the purpose of making an offering for the orphanaSe at Selma programme of music and recitations will be a feature of the even ing. Everyone is asked to take some gift, which will be placed in a box, ready for shipment.
 Christmas services will be held tomor- row morning at Trinity Episcopal church, conducted by the rector the Rev. l. 0, Adams. Everybody is cordially invited to attend.
 Miss Nellie Christilieb will entertain the members of the junior class, which num- hers about 3s on Tuesday morning, at d 4s party at the Grand hotel.
 Miss Madge Mims will entertain a num- ber of her school friends on Monday even ing at the home of Miss Nellie Kirkpat- rick on Fourth avenue
 Miss Bessie Ball, who is teaching school at Blossburg, is in the city, spending the holidays with her parents, MT. and Mrs. James Ball.
 Alvin Vogel of Louisville is spend ing the holidays with his parents in this city.
 Miss Matte Lay Is the guest of her parents for the holidays.
 MT. and Mrs. Phil Gulley, Mrs B. E. Pierce and children have returned to Meridian after very pleasant visit to MT. and Mrs. D. A. Little. Miss Sadie Bell of Birmingham was the guest of Miss Lora Gum yester- day.
 The many friends of Mrs. C. M Will Hams will regret to hear she was op- erated on at the Robinson hospital yes- terday. She is doing nicely. Miss Fay Fslkner. who is teaching school at Morgan is spending the holi days with her parents G. F. Goodwin has returned from Montgomery where he attended fam fly reunion.
 Mrs F. K. Hanby and children of At J. A Estes on Fifth avenue.
 A. c. Babcock left yesterday morning for Eufaula to spend the holidays with his daughter, Mrs. E. R. Pruden. Miss Mabel White left Saturday for Goodwater where she will be the guest of Miss Pearl McLendon for the holi- days
 Capt John D. Hanby of Kentucky is the guest of relatives in the city for the holidays.
 Mrs. Ben Craig left Saturday for Montgomery to be the guest of rela-