davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
SAVE THE SWEET POTATO CROP

The proper storage of sweet potatoes is one of the most important food conser. :. walton measures that can be put into eff United States department of agriculture officials No perishable product produced in the south is of as great importance as the sweet potato, and none, as rule, is ing preserves, jellies or fruit juices, the good condition the poSa,oes must be well matured before digging, carefully han- died, well dried or cured after being put in the storage house, and kept at uniform temperature after they are cured. The only safe ano practical method of stor. ing sweet potatoes is in well-built, dp to date storage house. Suggestions on storing sweet potatoes, and detailed in- formation on how to construct suitable storage house. are contained in Farmers Bulletin 97c, recently published, by tae United States department of agriculture.
 GROWER CAN JUDGE
 The grower can judge when his sweet potatoes are ripe by breaking or cutting one of tfem and leaving it exposed to he air for a few minutes. The cut or broken surface dries if it is mature, but the sur- face remains moist if it is not ready 10 be dug. However, in regions where early frosts occur the potatoes should be dug about the time the first hard frost is ex- pected, regardless of the stage of ma turity.
 The second essential, careful handline. should be observed in digging. gathering.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
More Than Their Share

We are ready with no per cent in crease of wheat, or whatever else your department may call upon us to do to help win the war" That is the message that 14o0 farmers of Madison county. Indiana, flashed over the wires to the Secretary of Agriculture a few days ago.
 It indicated also that men in deferred classification realize that they owe a special duty to their country, for it came fro. mfarmers who have been given the opportunity to keep at agricultural pro- duction. The rest of the telegram, from H. s. Agster, rural director of the Ge, ferred registered men of Madison coun- ~ty, said: Thirty three hundred men met on Saturday and perfected the deferred registered mems organization of Madi- son county, Inidina. About 400 or ds are farmers. Although our corn was se' verely frosted on June P we are going to increase cur number of brood sows 10 per cent"
 In expressing the gratitude of the peo. pie of tho country to this association of war farmers, the Secretary of Agriculture sent the following telegram:
 s.Men who have been given deferred classification on occupational grounds owe a special service to their country. That you arc conscious of this special re- sponsibility is evidenced by your patri- otic action in the organization of the deferred registrants in your county. It is gratifying to the department of agri- culture 10 have this expression from you pledging increased food production m face of unfavorable weather conditions Throush the county agents the depart ment of agriculture has encouraged ac- ton throughout the country similar to that taken in your county"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
Kafir and Cane Silage

The Kansas farmer is fortunate In having at his disposal three common crops-corn, kafir and cane-any of which will make good silage. Feeding tests with dairy cattle by the dairy department of the Kansas state asri-' cultural college covering a period of three years have produced very fa- vorable results with kafir and cane silage. Corn silage was found to be slightly superior to kafir. and kafir slightly superior to cane, pound for pound. but when tonnage yield and the certainty of getting a crop were considered, both the cane and the ka- fir ranked higher than corn. Cover ing three-year period on bottom land at the college farm the following yields in silage have been obtained;. Corn. 11.S8 tons per acre; kafir, Ills ton; and cane, IS tons per acre. Easing estimates on these tests the amount of milk producer from the above yields per acre would be corn, 22,o00 pounds; kafir, z1,600 pounds; cane, S0,o00 pound. In more than half the counties of Kansas greater yield of kdfir and cane can be-obtained with greater certainty, than with corn. Manifestiy thhe crop should be used which will re- turn the greatest tonnage.-Kansas State Council of Defense
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
1MENCE TO PICK BEST ON FARM FOR STATE FAIR
Feeds for Dairy Cows

Late August and September usually finds the pastures fn rather run down condition, due principally to dry weather that often comes about this time, says Prof. G. $ Templeton, animal husband man of the Alabama extension service at Auburn. When the pasture reaches this stage, 1t is the proper time to commence feeding silage, provided some was lett over from last season. Every dairyman should, if possible, put up enough silage to have some for use during the dry spells in summer.
 A good grain ration, where silage IS not available, or even where it is avai, able, is composed of three parts velyer bean meal and one part cottonseed meal. The beans sEould be ground, if it can pc done without too much expense. If grinc- ing is not convenient, feed the beans in the pod, but soak them F hours just be- fore feeding and sprinkle the cotton seed meal on them. When silage is not avail. able and the pasture is short, give one pound of this meal to each 21. pounds or milk produced. In soaking beans during hot weather the water in the vessel used for soaking should be changed each tine and the vessel thoroughly washed out so as to prevent souring.
 If some good legume hay, such as cow pea, alfalfa and clover is available, the grain ration can be reduced considerably. Those who have no velvet beans will find a grain ration composed of two parts cornmeal to one part cottonseed meal satisfactory. If the corn is in the shuck, it is preferably to grind corn, shucks and cob together and feed along with the cottonseed neal.
 To produce the maximum quantity of milk, dairy cows must have an abund ance of fresh, pure water regularly. half dried, UT pond or branch will not serve the purpose. Rock salt should be kept where the animals can have access to it at all times.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
Wade's Letter

cotton should be gathered as fast as II opens in order 10 save it from waste and protect the grade and improve the price. There are at the present time about three million bales of low grade colJon In the farkets that are an accu- mutation or several years. The manu- laeturlng interests do not want this cot ton and have placed a penalty of from two Eundered to two hundred and fifty polnt" as compared with middling and strict middling cotton This low grade cotton IS a dead weight on the cotton market. The premium on nfddling cot toner bette" IS sufficient to pay for har- NestiiiE the crop. Farmers should strive to harvest their cotton promptly and be prepared for rain storms when they come. We aie short ten or twelve inch es ef rainfall for the year and a wet suell is before us. No one can foretell just when a rainy spell will come, but we may expect it in September It is only Part of wisdom to keep prepared and avoid adding any more low grade cotton to this dead load which is already on the market
 Sell cotton slowly and only when the price is reasonable satisfactory When the, price saggs too low, stop selling until it reacts There is not very large indebtedness to meet this year as Is usually the case, and there will be no heavy pressure for the sale of cotton so far as Alabama is concerned The crop will be short and conditions justify good prices. Let every man strive to protect himself, but avoid excess spec ulative efforts
 Pulling corn fodder is a habit which has been handed down from our ancestors who had little opportunity of knowing the food value of the fodder or the dam age to the corn. Corn fodder contains six per cent protein and one and one fourth per cent fat. Crab grass contains eight per cent protein and two and one half per cent fat. Cow pea hay contains II per cent protein and five per cent fat. We have given the two most im- portant food constituents in these analy- ses, namely, protein and fat. to show the fodder butler that the crab grass is nearly twice as good as corn fodder. Cow pea hay is more than twice as good and soy bean hay is nearly three times as good as fodder
 An acre of corn that yields twenty bushels of corn will yield about four hundred pounds of fodder. It will cost four dollars to pull the fodder. 1t will damage the corn about four bushels, which is worth about eight dollars. Four hundred rounds of fodder will cost twelve dollarssbr at the rate of SC per ton, This would make COW pea hay worth $l20 per ton, and SOY bean hay $l50 per ton Stop pulling fodder. It is agricultural suicide.s It's principal value is an appa- tiger and not food. It makes horse neigh, and makes nature cry. Stop pull ing fodder and go to making hay or cut and shock your corn and use the whole stalk Hay is both an appetizer and a feed. Fodder pulling is hot work. dam aging to the corn and camouflage as q feed. J. A. WADE. Commissioner of Agriculture and Indus
 tries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
HEED THE YOUNG WHEATPLANT

Wheat planted in soil that is provided with the right kinds of plant food in proper proportions will yield the best yields, just as young live stock fed balanced ration will make the best gains in. weight. It is therefore necessary, ac- cording to the United States department of agriculture, to supply the elements of plant food which are not already avail. oble in sufficient quantity in the soil. This is highly important in planting for the liberty wheat harvest of 1919 for which the department of agriculture is recommending that American farmers SOW at least 45,0O0,000 acres to winter wheat this fall. While this acreage, which is an increase of T per cent over last years sowing. is desirable, it is also of utmost importance .,that every means be taken to increase the yield per acre.
 Stable or barnyard manure is of great benefit when added to soil sown to wheat. It supplies humus by the decay of tho organic matter, and contains nitrogen and potassium, sometimes in considerable amounts. It usually does not contain
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
Black Rust Attacks Cotton i,

Potash hunger of cotton has begun to make it's appearance in several sections of Alabama especially on the light, san dy loam soils. and it has been most ao- ticeable on the thinner ridges and side hills. says G4 M. Armstrong, extension pathologist at Auburn. Cotton grown on the red soils has been very free of this trouble.
 The leaves of affected plants first turn brown to bronze colored and finally blacken when numerous spots may bs found. When the leaves are brown or bronze in color on the upper surface, the lower surface may appear almost norma In the final stages the blackened leaves usually fall so that the plant may ne completely defoliated.
 Red spider injury, commonly called red rust differs from the black rust in that the red spider causes a red area to ap- pear on the upper surface nears the cen ter of the leaf, and the lower surface be- heath the spo. will be covered with a thin web made by the spider
 The only remedy for the black rust or potash hunger is to supply potash. pre- ferab1y kainit, where this can be ob- tained. With the present shortage Of potash. the areas which show this rust should not Dc planted in cotton next year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
Fattening Feed for Hogs.

It is now time to commence fattening hogs for the early market says Prof. George S. Ttempleton of the Alabama extension Service This might well be started by turning them on soy beans about this time. The animals should be turned on the soy beans when the bot tom leaves begin to turn yellow At this stage of growth the hogs will eat the leaves first, and the analysis of the leaves is about equal to that of wheat bran When on soy bean pasture fattening hogs should have this ration supple mented wit hone pound of corn per day for each 100 pounds of live weight.
 The first of the fattening period can be passed fairly well on the peanut field No supplementary feed is need here. About half of the hogs put on peanut fields should have rings put in their noses. as one hog will root up enough for two to consume. In real sandy land one will root up enough for four, and three out of four should have rings in their noses.
 This time of year the brood SOW sohuld be kept on good permanent pastures, such as Bermuda, and given all of the soaked velvet beans in the pod that she will eat. A 200-pound sow will consume about 10 to 12 pounds of these per day, or six to pounds of the shelled beans. If velvet beans are not available give one pound of corn or some other home grown grain per day. for each 100 pounds of live weight.
 The small pig can be put right on the peanut or soy bean pasture with the fat tening hogs, and a small amount of vel vet beans or dry corn is desirable as 3 supplementary feed, when the pigs are on soy bean pasture. Gifts that are too A1x<.,,1 not be allowed to consume too much beans or peanuts, as these will cause them to become too fat thereby lessen- ing their value as breeding animals.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29

In response to a request from the woman's committee, council of national defense. Secretary Houston sent the following letter to Miss Marion Hughes Scott, of the committee, outlining some of the things that women may do and are doing in the field of agriculture:
 Dear Miss Scott: 1t is very difficult for one to indicate the things that women may do in the field of agricul- ture know of scarcely anything that some of them may not do and are not doing somewhere. The six and a half or seven millions of farm women, in addition to their onerous domestic duties. are aiding production along many lines Many of them work in the fields; many of them assist in planting, in cultivation. and in harvesting. Hun dreds of thousands of women and girls in rural districts, especially through the clubs, take active part in poultry. hog and dairy production. They assist in raising home gardens and in making the home self-sustaining. They con serve vast quantities of materials for future use as food by drying, canning and preserving. It would be impossible to overestimate their service in food production. It would be equally i'm possible to exaggerate the part they play in conserving food itself
 IN TOWNS AND CITIES
 I assume that your committee has in mind more especially women in towns and cities. These women can probably render their largest service by com serving materials for future use as food by canning, drying and preserv ing, by conserving food itself. and by
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
Kentucky Tester Law

The Kentucky legislature has passed a law requiring each crematory and skimming station, and in fact, every dealer who buys cream in Kentucky, to procure a license from the Kentucky experiment. station. Also the man or woman who operates the Babcock test in each establishment shall procure a license from the experiment station. Also only tested glassware shall be used- in making Babcock tests. An examination of men who desire to make Babcock tests will be held at the experiment. station at an early date. All interested are advised to procure a circular of information that is be- ing issued by the experiment station. The law becomes operative immediate ly and a fine is imposed on any one who neglects to obey the law.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
WOMEN AND FOOD PRODUCTION

assisting in planting and cultivating home gardens. In doing these things they not only contribute to the food supply of the nation directly, but also reduce the difficulties in marketing and relieve the burden on transporta- ton. There are in towns and cities many women who have been brought up on the farms or who have some farm experience They can unuuestionably, especially with some previous training, take an effective part In planting, cul- tivation and harvesting. Even those who have not had such experience may, by taking proper steps, qualify them selves for effective assistance in these directions. Another aid that they can render by careful thought and plan ming is through the relief they can fur nish to farm women in their homes thus releasing to this extent the more experienced women of the country dis tricts fors the more difficult farm tasks.
 BEST LINES OF SERVICE
 I have the feeling that the women themselves, especially after the many recent months of>reflection and expe- rience have discovered for themselves quite as fully as anyone could reveal to them the lines along which they might render service not only in agrf- culture, but in all other directions. It is amazing how much they are doing to assist the nation as nurses, in the Red Cross. in the Liberty Loan cam paings, in War Savings of every char acter, in industry, even in it's most diff ficult forms, and in agriculture. Very truly, yaurs,
 D. F. HOUSTON.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
Canning Fruit Juices
See that all equipment is ready.

l. See that all equipment is ready.
 2. Prepare fruits by cleaning, stem ming, etc.
 3. Heat slowly in an acid-proof kett,e until fruit ls tender. Before beginning ta cook Lerries, mash. A little water may pe added if necessary Cut hav't fruits such as apples, into pieces and add half as much water as fruits.
 4 Place in dampened bag; press to rs- move all juices.
 5. Drair through closely woven bag. dampened do not press.
 Pour fruit juice into hot jars. or lin cans.
 < Place scalded rubber and cap In 10. sition.
 S. Partially tighten tops; seal tin cans completely.
 a Sterillze 40 minutes at tempera- lure of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (simIner- ing).
 10. Remove jars from canner; seal com pletely.
 IL Invers to test joints for pinhole leaks. ter use.
 Use for flavoring and beverages.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
Garbage as Hog Feed

The utilization of garbage as pcs- sible source of feed for hogs is being studied by the United States depart ment of agriculture. Dr. A. Wilson of the animal husbandry division recently made an inspection trip to the New England and Atlantic coast states where he visited garbage plants that were making use of waste material in the manufacture of feed for hogs. pr. Wilson is now making a similar trip of inspection in the corn belt states and will go from there to the southern states, where garbage plants in cities and army cantonments will be studied.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
GET VALUE FROM PEANUT CROP

very likely tc mature and sprout dur,ng rainy weather before the crop is ready to be dtg. The vines assume yellowish appearance when the crop is mature, which is usually, but not always, asgood indication as to the proper time for har- vesting. This. together with the turning brown and falling off of the lower leaves, and the plump appearance of the pods should be the guide in determining tho maturity of the crop.
 After the crop has been dug the vines should be stacked before the leaves be come dry and have fallen off. and special care should be given to prevent the pee nuts from moulding. The stacks should he small and placed around poles pro- vided with two cross pieces nailed to the pole r to 12 inches from the ground to surrort the vines. After curing in stacks for a few weeks peanuts can be hauled to the barn and stored with nut danger of loss.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29

To get tho maximum amount of fooo value from the peanut crop-to save valuable source of food supply-the pea nuts should not be harvested too early in the season, and they should be care fully cured and stacked to prevent m jury Hundreds of thousands of dollars are lost annually as a result of poer methcGs>,of stacking and handling pea nuts, according to publication of the United States department of agriculture, Circular S1 of the office of the Secra- tary. Attention to few simple rules, the publication adds. will reduce this loss materially and result in saving val uable food.
 Harvesting peanuts before they are raa- ture. as is often the case among mex perienced growers, is responsible for considerable loss in the yield of market able peanuts. A few of the peanuts are
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29

dangerous. This safeguards the product and adds to the efficiency of the storage chamber. Vegetables can be more con yeniently placed in such a cellar than in the basement of dwelling.
 When the chief use of the outdoor storage cellar is for 2storing turnips, beets, carrots, and other root crops com monly used for stock food it should be hcated near the stable, where the ma terial will be convenient for winter feed- ing. When it is to be used for vegetables for the table the cellar should be aeces- sible from the kitchen at all times. If |apples or other fruits are to be stored in an outdoor storage cellar it. is de- sirable to have Accompaniment cellar, one for vegetables and one for apples; with ventilating apparatus in each compartment
 SMALL PITS BEST
 Outdoor tanks or pits are used very generally for keeping vegetables The conical pit is used commonly for such vegetables as potatoes, carrots, beets. of cabbage
 Vegetables keep very we'll in such pits, but it is difficult to get them out in cold weather, so that when a pit is opened it is desirable to remove it's en- tire contents at once. For this reason it is advisable to construct several small pits rather than large one and instead of sorting each crop in a pit by itself it is better to place a small quantity of several kinds of vegetables in the same pit, so that it will be necessary to open only one bank to get a supply of them. IE storing several crops in the same bank it is desirable to separate them with straw. leaves, or other material. The vegeta bles from the small pit may be placed temporarily in the storage rooUi in the basement where they will be easily accessible as needed for the table.
 This article gives briefly the differ ent storage places available for keeping late vegetables. For detailed information on arranging storage rooms, making out side pits. and cellars and taking care of specific products write to the division O. publications, United States department of agriculture, for free copy of Farm CTS bulletin S79 on the home storage of ynCetahleS
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29

sufficient proportion of phosphorus If 10 or 50 pounds of acid phosphate. rock phosphate, or basic stub are added to each ton of manure as it is being made in the stable or befire hauling to the field. this deficiency of phosphorus is overcome, and better form of fertilizer can scarcely be found At least s tons per acre of this treated manure should be applied at least once in four years.
 When barnyard or other routed manure is not available and plant refuse, such as straw and stubble, is not returned to the soil, the growing of suitable green manure crops is imperative in order to maintain soil fertility and the supply of humus On comparatively few farms is there enough routed manure to take the place of green manures altogether although by returning the plant refuse to the soil less of the green manure will need to be grown than where no returns are made. By the proper care of plant residues and the use of green manure crops, principally the legumes, fertility can be maintained as cheaply and as effectively as with the use of large amounts of routed manure only
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-29
Seed Production Survey


 Total production of vegetable seed with the exception of cabbage, let tuce. salsify, and turnip, will be ann pie for the needs of the coming year, according to preliminary returns from the seed-production survey of July 1, 1913, and crop reports from important commercial seed growers. Tn some cases the condition of crops is not satisfactory increased acreages are ex- pected to bring the total production up to normal, while more than normal production of seed is indicated for some kinds of vegetables. This con- dition, it Is pointed out, does not nec- essarily mean large surplus, for it is known that large orders have, been placed for certain seeds by foreign concerns for export to countries in Europe, which formerly have been ex- porters of these seeds to the United States.