The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-18

, is dependent on the spindles of a distant
state.
Canning plants for fruits and vegetables
are sure to be erected in time-the very
waste by decay of the gardens and on
the premises will be sufficient to MAIN
tain a small plant. Factories for the pro-
duction of by-products from cotton alone
the oil and its various forms of refine
ment into cooking accessories. will be
erected near by the fields where the
staple is grown. Freight and handling
crude forms of all necessities enhance
the price of the refined and perfected
article when it returns from the faeto-
rles thousands of miles distant twofold
General freedom from pulmonary dts
eases in the black belt of Alabama is
one of the striking features of that land
of many blessings.
Tuberculosis, asthma, catarrh and bron-
ehitis-those scourages of cold climates
are uncommon, a fact which has often
impressed itself on visitors from the
states. There is perhaps no more desir-
able locality in this country for the worn
and weary than the black belt, aifording
high elevation and pure air for the dwell
lings of the farmers of the rich bottom
| lands
At this particular time nearly every
| county in this section has issued or is
| contemplating issuing. bonds for the pub
| lie road system. In several counties
large sums are now being expended on
| the various highways through their en-
tire length.
The road question is often the leading
| public issue in black belt counties, and
| under the new and prosperous conditions
that have been brought about, good
roads are imperative, and the agitation
! and progress in that line will continue
| until the Ipaira|I,Ia
| obtained.
! Another Great Canal
few days ago the Associated Press
| informed us that the minister from Mic
arauga had called on Secretary BRYAN
and broaehed the grand project of this
government building the Nicarauga canal,
| so long and ably advocated ny Senator
Morgan, after the completion of the Pam
| anna canal. And that the Nicarauea.
government would grant concession for
the canal to the United States for the
small sum of $30Oo.0o0. 1t was also stated
| that MIR. Bryan received the suggestion
with very serious consideration. The
arguments used are that this route to the
Pacific is 2000 miles shorter than the
panama route; that our government al
ready owns the vast equipment of ma
chiuery and the necessary skilled and
experienced labor for economic construc-
ton, and that the Panama canal Is in-
sufficient to dispose of the great COM
merce that will center there. and. better
STILL that the value of Nicarauga canal
10 America would not be hampered by the
short-sighted treaty restraints that en-
barass the fun utilization of the Panama
ditch.
Religious Denominations
A strong feeling of religious devotion
has ever characterized the conduct OF
the people of The black belt 1t is widely
difused, and its influence is felt through
out the state, tending greatly to the ele-
walton of morals and the publication OF
society. The laws afford every guaran-
| tee for the protection OF religious opin-
! ions and extend privileges to none.
| Tho fiVe principal denomina tioua among
| the white people are the Baptists. Cath
olics, Episcopalians. Methodists and Pres
byterians, and the Zion, or northern
| Methodists among the blacks. The Chris
tians, or Universalsts, have some
| strength. There are many beautiful and
| expensive church edifices i'm the district
! OF the secret orders for benevolent pur-
poses, the Free Masons and Odd Fellows
are prominent and the Knights of Pyth-
| las, Woodmen of the World Elks and
others have prominent lodges
The history of the black belt begins
with the invasion Of the country by the
| Spaniards under fernando De Soto. in
| 1910, which was but Is years subsequent
! to the discovery of this continent by John
.
nothing Is known of this region. It had
in all probability been the home of the
Indians, or other savage and inferior
races, from the remotest period. The
final triumph of progress and civilization
and the proud future of this splendid see
ton can only be surmised. Its greatness
and its material prosperity, judging from
the brilliant prospect, are scarcely to be
exaggerated by the most optimistic
prophet; but of one fact there can be
no part of doubt. and that is that at
present the peaceful and frugal labors of
the farm and plantation are sure of am
pie return, and health and comfort are
perhaps better assured here than i'm anv
other country whatsoever. 1t Is gratify-
ing to believe, upon rational presump-
ton, that brilliant future is before US