The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-01-13
Mrs. G.. III. Mathis, of Alabama,
Talks to Commercial Club.
Here Attending Meeting of
State Board of Agriculture.
COTTON is NO LONGER KING
Diversified Farming Is the Sal
walton of the South.
The Speaker Is a Practical
Farmer Herself, at Home.

Cotton is no longer king and the
sooner the south aWakens to this fact
that much quicker will it get on the
right ROAD to prosperity Such was
the substance of the remarks made
before the Commercial club this morn
ing b. Mrs. G. H. Mathis of Birmlng-
ham, Ala, principal speaker at this
evenings session of the board of ag-
riculture. Diversified farming is the
salvation of the south, she declared,
and when the south accepts this fact
it will recover it's equilibrium as an
agricultural leader.
Large in stature and rich in per-
sopality, dropping her RS to a per-
lection, this remarkable woman, who
has done so much to rejuvenate the
southland, captivated the Commercial
club members who filled the luncheon
room. Not only is Mrs Mathis a prac-
teal farmer but she fills positions of
trust in big organizations of the south
that would make many men envions.
Mrs. Mathis is president of the Ala
bama Diversified Farming association
and the Alabama department of agri-
culture.
King Also Speaks.
Following Mrs Mathis was D. Ward
King, of split log road drag fame. His
remarks were equally well received
and had to do with the problem of
good roads H. S. Putney, president
of the automobile association, and an
exponent of good roads, sat by MT.
King. Others seated at the speakers
table were Charles S. Elliott, president
of the Commercial club, Governor Cap
per, and Mrs. Cora Wellhouse Billiard
Oi LeavenwOrth county, a member Of
the school book commission and honor
member of the board of agriculture.
Every farm must feed ITSELF" de-
clared Mrs. Mathis. LAS a result OF
diversified farming practiced by Ala
bama farmers in the last year, "A mil.
| lion more bushels of corn were raised
than ever before, three million more
bushels of wheat and 1 Il million more
/ bushels of oats, saving many a million
/ dollars to the people of the state.
"A tenant farmer by properly at
| tending and diversifying his crops Cal
make from $500 to $4,000 a year
| This has been done by more than
/ dozen tenants who have come under
my observation. The south must con
/ tinue as an agricultural leader because
| of its large colored population, which
/ to great extent is fitted for nothing
/ else"
Service of King Road Drag.
The best method of producing thu
/ best wagon road with the least eXpen
diture of money and energy is th'
/ problem for this generation of roaC
! builders to solve declared D. Ware
King in his address He pointed to thu
King road drag as a solution anC
| quoted a statement made by J. c. Mob
Ter, secretary of the Kansas board o
agriculture, to clinch his assertion.
Progress" said MIR. Mohler, accord
ing to Mr.. King, must come through
more extensive and more intelligen
use of the King drag"
Continuing further FIR. King assert
ted, that an examination of figures
compiled by the United States depart
1nent of agriculture, prove that tn,
drag can be of great service on SO pc
cent of the roads of America. He ex
| planned the proper way to use ant
make the drag, care for the road ant
in addition paid his respects to thos
who have been attempting to dissuad
men from dragging.