The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-17
Cultivation of Soil

"The growing demand for better and more profitable cultivation of the soil brings to us the consideration of the question of drainage. There is probably no portion of the earth where nature has been more generous than she has been to our state, and the time is at hand when investors are beginning to ap- preciate and take advantage of this fact
 The value of agricultural lands has been steadily increasing all over the unlted States for the past decade, and prices are now steadily obtained which rev years ago would have been pronounced fabulous. One of the most obvious req sons why our people have not heretofore reaped a fun reward for their indus try and thrift, is their continued futile efforts to cultivate proitably lands which are wet or undrained and, therefore practically unfit for tillage.
 "The legislature has already recognized the necessity of adopting some adequate | system of drainage for the several sec tions of the state by the passage of sev- eral laws upon that subject.
 "The problem is complex, and far from solution and must be solved by provid- ing some means to remove effectually and quickly the water from those lands already cleared, and under some sort or cultivation but this is not enough, be-
 
 lands more fertile than the famed valley of the Nile. capable of producing crops or thrice the value of the crops now pro- duced by our farmers There are always some obstructionists ready to use money and time to defeat any and all efforts to advance, but they aae fortunately tew in number and in influence, and hope to submit for your consideration later In th session a scheme which will afford 10 farmers a method by which they can effect the complete reclamation or thelr lands and secure adequate drainage Wnerc it is now so sorely needed. There IS a way to satisfy all legal and practical op- iections that may arise In the prosecu- tion of such an undertaking. and, no doubt. every member of the legislature will lend his best thought and effort 10 the successful accomplishment or this inn portant work. .Jn connection with this character Of legislation, it is apparent to all as mat ter of course that extensive work oi such a kind can be done only from funds derived from the sale of bonds, and the attention of the legislature is called 10 1 the great saving which will result 10 the | communities who may undertake II, py having the state authorize the direct leVy i of the taxes or assessments requireu to nay such bonds and the interest thereon and bv acting as the fiscal agent Tor ! tho collection of the taxes for the pay ment of the interest on the bonds ana | tbe bonds at maturity, by reason of which | friendly interposition on the part or the | state. all such bonds can be sold at ad- yantageously low rates of interest which l could not be accomplished if the com I munities themselves should undertake to act unaided without sponsorship or di- | recting agency of proper state officials
 Improve Public Highways
 | primitive and backward indeed is the | community untouched by the march of progress along the line of better high
 ways Much has been already done in many counties in the state, and noth-
 ing has been of greater and more imme-
 diate relief to every interest than the
 construction of better roads. This is one
 public work reaching and benefting every
 man, woman and child.
 Good roads encourage community in.
 terest and bring about a unity of pur-
 pose and effort in all the business, so.
 cial and educational activities of every
 rural neighborhood.
 We have just entered upon this worl | and the people have been quick to ap l preciate the improvements in country life directly attributable to the improved means of transportation.
 Tt should be extended in every direc , tion, and system of highways estab