The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
A Dairy Land Of Promise
By s. E. MELBOURNE

In the twenty-fourth report of the de- partment of agriculture it is stated that soe, ,957 1882 worth of northern and western da,ry products were shipped into 90 south crn cities during the F months covered by the report. There Is no valid excuse for such condition. The south can sup ply her own needs in this line more cheaply than can either the north or west The natural advantages for dairy ing which the south possesses cannot be surpassed. all things considered, by any portion of the United States. And there are no better markets TOT dairy products than the cities and towns of the south.
 These advantages, both of production and of markets. are beginning to attract the attention of shrewd dairymen from the north and west, and many of them have already bought cheap land in the south and are making money. Well-in- formed dairymen declare that in the south a dairy COW may be maintained at cost of from a dollar to two dollars a month legs than in other sections of the coun- try.
 The cheapest and best feed for the dairy COW is that which she gathers by graz ing This should, of course, be supple mented by proper grain ration. It IS impossible to secure a full flow of milk from a COW that does not have an abund- ant supply of succulent feed either from pa stures, soiling crops, roots or enslagc, and the pasture is eminently the best and cheapestsin the southern states.
 More Cows, More Cotton
 The pasture lands of the south are for the most part cheap lands. In no sec tion of the world can such an enormous yield of corn slage be grown to the acre, and silos are building in all sec tions of the southland. Green pastures are to be had in the south eight to ID months of the year. and in some locali- ties the grasses grow throughout the entire year.
 Silage is being reported to as a sup rlement to the pastures during hot weather and as insurance against pos sible drouth. In every section of the south winter oats and rye thrive amaz- ingIy, and these grasses afford the best of winter grazing for the dairy herd. But ter and cream take practically none of the fertility from the soil. and when cot ton seed meal is fed With other home grown feeds the dairymsn is able to re- turn to the land in manure far more l fertility than he removed in the hay and corn fed to the cows.
 The owner of a smah dairy said: "I have been dairying for seven years. | recently built dairy barn to hold 20 COWS, with cement floors. improved stan
 
 but sanitary and convenient dairy house and have been buying some pure-bred dairy cows. have not invested a dol | lar in buildings or pure-bred stock ex- | cept as the cows have earned it for me. My farm is now easily producing bale of cotton an acre without the use If any commercial fertilizer except pot ash and phosphoric acid Originally it produced not more than half bale an acre with the use of a complete fer l t!lizer'
 Such statement Is worthy of careful consideration. This man with few cows has more than doubled the productivity of his fields. greatly increased the value of his land and can now enjoy a thou sand conveniences which a few years ago. before the advent of the dairy COW, he could only dream of. |. The best way to become a successful dniryman is to grow into the business. While the south is natural dairy coun- try. the southern farmer is not a natural 6airyman. The successful dairyman is likely to be the man who possesses real fondness for the dairy cow-the man who understands hernature and requirements This understanding will only be acquired by observation and experience. A Pioneer From Illinois Cotton farmers who are adopting dairy l ing. even as a side line, are making more money than they ever made in their lives before; they are building up their soils. cutting down fertilizer bills. and are living better than ever before. These men are leaders in their communities they are the men who are buying more land.
 o miles from northern border Of the