The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-23
Report of Department

Report of Department Following is the report:
 Recent rains have been bountiful
 throughout the state and complaint Is
 becoming very general that more rain
 than was needed to offset the effect
 of the drouth has already fallen
 Weather conditions promise contn- uance of the spell and the efforts of 1t may work new factor in the cot ton crop. Prices for cotton arc below what is asked for the staple. We have been informed that in the smaller towns fl om to S1s cents has been paid for middling grade and as high as.11 cents as been paid in Montgomery and per
 haps some other places. The sales have been small and there seems to Se no marked disposition on the part of the seller to avail themselves Of these sporadic prices. The market sit uation continues to remain unsatisfac-
 tory. There have been several conven-
 tions composed of financial and lead- ling representatives of business and
 farming interest proposed and some of them held to consider what is best to be done. Up to now nothing of definite policy has been adopted. The national government upon cooperative lines seems to be disposed to move
 sympathctically along with these ex- ponents of this great interest. Togeth- CT it is hoped that something VIII eventuate that will enable the farmer to procure regular and satisfactory
 price for his product during the sea son.
 "The boil weevil is doing great damage | in the infested areas. In many sections cotton that bloomed since August 1 has been largely destroyed by these pests. It continues it's westward flight and has l reached as far in that direction Mont gomery county, where the forcrunner of | the main weevil body has been found. It's appearance was noted on the plantation of MT. w. V. Bell in the southea stern part of the county and the specimen cap tured was sent to this office for identif-
 cation Ii proved to be the genuine weevil
 and established the fact that it's appear snce in Montgomery county is real. An evidence showing the great interest felt ] in the march of the weevil consists in
 the fact that many farmers during the
 past several days have sent various in-
 sects caught in the fields to ascertain whether or not they were the great south
 ern foe. In all instances except the one mentioned these specimens have turned out to be some variety of bug of far less dangerous character than the real weevil. i It Is not thought that their appearance will exert any apprecable effect on the 1 crop in the counties where they have been I found. As previously advised, 1t Is too l late this season to think of further en- countering the boil weevil. Later on it will be incumbent to wage the crusade against 1t.
 Crimson Clover Popular The popularity of crimson clover is marked throughout the state. Unfortu- nately for large acreage which we would undoubtedly have. the European war has cut short the supply of seed. Germany exports this product. and, of course. it it impossible to procure 1t from that coun- try. However, quantities of it were pro- cured previous to the war, and those who l were fortunate enough to get in on the price that prevailed at that time are in
 
 ble item in next years crop. The seed is yet to be had, but at price greatly ex- ceeding those that prevailed a few weeks ago.
 The rise in sugar is another penalty that the war has brought. Those who have planted largely in cane this year will ] fare better from the conditions that high sugar brought than their neighbors who ], have omitted this necessary item in all l southern crops.
 l This has been bountiful fruit year. | and the pantry of many country home 1 will bear splendid attest to this fact in l suppIementing the table supplies next l winter when times will be even harder than now. This is one of the many ways l of meeting the conditions of the high
 cost of living
 l There seems to be considerable abate- 1 ment in hog cholera, which may be fairly I attributed to the general disposition of l raisers to adopt the serum treatment, which is undoubtedly an effective remedy | for this hog malady.
 II "Of course, 1t is beyond the capacity 4 of anyone to foretell what the next few \ months will bring the country and the \ world, as result of the European up- \ heaval. but with due allowance for the II gravity of the situation as it exists. the |l lot of the southern farmer. al, things con- \ sidered can be favorably compared with Fl that of the people Of the rest of the coun- II try. and if the situation is not materially H worse than now. we can afford to pay our \ part of the penalty that an unusual sit- sa tiou has brouRht the world.'s