davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
Producing Quality Beef

Live stock markets during recent years
have experienced continual growing de-
mand for wel1-fattened beef animals
weighing from 900 to 1900 pounds In or
der to meet this demand and secure the
highest prices. breeders are showing an
increased tendency toward finishing off
their beef cattle at younger ages Stock
raisers find it more profitable to conduct
their operations in this manner than to
hold their cattle to advanced ages as
was the custom some years ago, when
pasture land was cheaper than it is at
present.
Such a demand must necessarily be
supplied by well-inished animals from II
to 20 months old carrying a large per-
centage of blood of one of the early
maturing beef breeds. usually that of the
Hereford Aberdeen-Angus or Shorthorn
To distinguish them from animals of
other beef classes. these yearings have
come to be designated as baby beeves
The use of better bulls with consequent
Improvement In quality and early ma
turity is an essential in the production
of baby beef. The preparation for mar
ket of this class of beeves requires
more skill than is necessary in the pro-
duction of animals marketed at more ma
tnure ages, but, as has been stated, it
IS also usually more profitable. Heavier
gram feeding is necessary, but as the
Ieeulng period is shorter a less amount
or grain is necessary to bring the cat
tie to maturity.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
Beans, Peas, Peanuts

AS important features of its supple
mentary programme for feeding the ma
ton, it's armies, and the allies, the
United States department of agricul-
ture recommends that great attention
be paid to the production of beans, peas.
and peanuts On these subjects the pro-
gramme states:
1.-THE production of beans and peas
should be increased in regions to which
they are adapted, because of their high
food value. keeping qualities. and avail
ability for domestic or export trade.
Soy beans and peanuts should be in
creased in order to supplement beans
and peas as human food, as source
OF ch-needed oil, and as animal feeds
1.-THE production of beans last year in
the six leading states increased from
10.715,0O0 bushels to 15,701,oo0 bushels. and
peanuts from IS, 324.50o bushels to 6O.222 :
0cO bushels But these increased proved
TO be greatly needed, and there is every
indication that large increases VIII De
readily absorbed in 1918.
1.-THE peanut is especially valuable pc
cause of the oil it contains. for which
the need is great. In the south, espe-
cially. soy beans and peanut meal are
proving very satisfactory as partial sub
stitutes Tor wheat. Both soy beans and
peanuts are of great value as forage
crops
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
Increase in Meat Supply

Several complex factors have effected
an immediate increase in meat sup
plies. The transportation shortage, be-
fore the government took over the
railroads, the bad weather in Janu-
airy and early in February, the large
percentage of immature corn in the
last harvest and the necessity Of feed
ing this corn as rapidly as possible to
save 1T from decay, have not only re-
suited in backing up the animals-par-
tcularly hogs--on the farms for a
longer period of feeding, but have re-
suited in great increase in their aver
age weight. and win result. with i'm.
proved transportation conditions
which already appear, in larger than
normal arrivals at market for the next
Two or three months. The weight OF
hogs coming to the market for the
past two weeks indicates an increase
IN weight of from an average of 2Os
pounds last year to the almost unpre-
cedented average of 232 pounds. or a
net increase in their meat value O.
over 10 per cent This is a distinct adj
o1tlon to the nations meat supply II
therefore now seems certain that we
nave such enlarged supplies for at least
some months to come that we cannot
only increase our exports to the allies
to the full extent of their transporta
tlon Facilities, but at the same time
can properly increase our domestic con.
sumption.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
Feeding Floors Save Feed

One OF the most profitable improve
ments ever made on this farm has been
concrete feeding floor for hogs, built
two years ago. Before that, during the
wet weather of winter, when the mud
was not frozen, it was simply a case
of shoveling corn into mud hole or
feeding 1t in the house, which was en-
tirely too small for feeding space.
Almost everyone has had some expert
ence feeding corn to hogs in the mud
and knows what the waste is in nor
NAL times, but now. with corn how
ering around the dollar mark, it IS
more expensive to waste it than ever
before.
In building anything of concrete,
where plenty of rock may be had usual
ly for the work of quarrying them, the
main cost of the job is in the labor.
and with this right on the farm and
used when no other work is rushing,
the cost of putting IN substantial
concrete floor is nothing like as great
as many folks imagine it is. Leaving
out the expense of labor. which is by
far the greatest of ALL the actual cash
outlay is very little. Ene saving in
feeding so head of hogs on it for
month during wet weather, with corn
at 81 a bushel, L believe would pay
for the material used in bnilding a floor
large enough to accommodate a bunch
of that size. Then. too, besides the
saving in grain. think of the conven-
fence in being able to feed high and
dry" regardless of whether it rains
or shines. The chore of feeding is much
pleasanter. is done much quicker and
the cobs are also sayed in good con-
dition for fuel if the corn is fed on
the ear.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
PLANTCOTTON TO BEAT WEEVIL

The climatic conditions experienced in
Alabama during the past winter have
been in the southern half of the state
more favorable to the survival of boil
weevils than were the conditions of a
year ago. Cotton stalks were not de-
stroyed before frost and shelter condi-
lions have been much more favorable
also. We cannot foretell what the rain
fall will be during the coming growing
season. but if it is only as heavy as the
forward this season to much heavier
weevil damage than was experienced
generally in 1911.
Because of the prospect for increased
weevil damage and also because the
world Gncluding ourselves) will need
every ounce of food ma terials that we
can possibly produce, it is extremely i'm
portant that we keep the 1918 cotton acre
age down to a safe and reasonable
basis" This means for the southern
fourth of Alabama not more than four
the next fourth of the state from five
to seven acres.
1t is more important than ever before
that every acre Observation-Disclosures in
foodstuffs, forage or contemporaries the
maximum of which it is capable. With
cotton, therefore, the time of planting
to beat the boil weevil'' is as important
as acreage, culture, etc.
Successful cotton crops in weevil in
tested territory must be made rapidly.
This means that everything possible
must be done to force the setting of the
largest possible number of bolls within
the shortest possible time after squares
begin to FORM so that weevils can begin
to reproduce therein. This involves many
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28

Free from work with an hour
moro OF daylight at his command
than under the old time system. That
is what Daylight Saving means to
every one in the United States Four
teen other nations have adopted 1t
with great success and satisfaction.
"Only an hour day! And vet
that bit Of extra time each day dur
ing the summer months will give
more than 100000 years to the war
gardeners, OF the country. That hard
Iy seems possible until you figure 1t
out" says Charles Lathrop Pack.
president OF the National War Gar
den Commission. Washington.
reports show that there will be
at least 5000. 900 home food produc-
ers cultivating back yards, vacant
lots and other Stacker land this
year. In seven months Of 26 work
ing days each the individual gains
1872 hours. or more than % S-hour
days. Five million soldiers Of the
soil will gain 10000. oooxhcurs. or
1880, 900 days. This is equivalent
to 311.644 years"
1t has been estimated that under
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
Question of Cornstalks
BY II. H. IsLEN


There is no question but what field
of cornstalks has some feeding value for
the soil as we'll as for live stock. If not
used for the stock, then the next PROPOSE
ton is making the stalks ready for the
pillow, since one does not want to cause
to 90 up in smoke something he knows
would be of value to him if turned into
the soil. How to get it there so it will
not be a nuisance in working the next
crop is the problem. On this farm we
using disc harrow to put down the
stalks This did the work only partly
we'll enough, as at least half the stalks
would slip through between the discs
without being cut and come out OF the
ordeal only leaned over. These long
stalks could be plowed under fairly well
by blowing them the way they were
leaning. but they were right on the Jop
the next summer when working the corn
the cross way. Anyone who has tried
doing good work on corn the cross way,
with long stalks buried at pillow depth,
knows how much fun it is After put
ting up with it for some years, We
finally decided that it would be good
investment to put $40 into a two-row
stalk cutter. Such a machine would cost
more money today, but let me tell you
that if YOU have many standing stalks
to be made ready for the plow 1T will
paw YOU to buy it. With three good
horses, a large acreage can be cut down
in day, and the heavy, two-row cutter
does put them down, too. They are not
only put down, but they are cut in short
lengths so there is no bother when the
point of a cultivator shovel reaches
them. The heavy machine also rides
easier than the single row cutter. This
iob of stalk-cutting we al INTO get done
during the winter if the weather will
permit it at all.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
Must Oragnize to Win
by o. p. FORD
Secretary Treasurer Farmers onion


To the Farmers of Alabama.
In order that we may comply with the
request of our government in helping to
win this war, want to say that the
first and most essential thing to do IS Tor
The farmer to organize. We cannot do
our duty isolated, and should first mopl-
lie our forces. Then, and not until theh'
can we concentrate our best EFFORTS IN
raising more foodstuff for both man
and beast.
BY having local organized in each
community, you can meet with your
neighbor as often as you WISH, 10 dls-
cuss those questions which are eest Tor
the building up of your homes Also
the kind of seed you think IS pest auap-
ted for your soil, and the kind that will
give YOU the best yield; and the Kind of
fertilizer to be used, etc. ! would ad-
wise that each community select the
same kind of seed OF whatever you de-
eide to plant, and all plant together, so
YOU can harvest about the sa.pe time.
This will enable you to bulk Your stun
ana get the best market prices for same,
ii you will grade and pack right.
Now. brother farmer, / want to- men
ton one among many advantages you
have. The President says that the pur-
den of this great war is Upon the farmer
so in order that we may be equal 70 the
task, let us first do the most important
thing. and that is to organize.
will in the near future visit many
counties to do my part but don't wait
for me. ! will try TO. get man III
every county to work, and hope to pc
successful, and | ask for the hearty
cooperation of all the officials and mem
bers of our organization, as well as
every farmer.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
factors beside mere earliness Of plan
EARLY PLANTING BEST

Unquestiona bly,, moderately early
planting is safest and best as rule.
This means that the planter should walt
10 DAYS or two weeks, after the average
date for the last killing frost in his Sec
ton This date ranges from about March
la in southern Alabama to April IN
northern Alabama.
Make certain that the ground is Wen
prepared, with sufficient moisture to
bring the young plants along rapidly
after the seed is put into the ground.
Proper fertilization will be found essen
tial to the best crops under weevil con-
ditions.
Extremely early planting runs the RISK
of having the young plants stunted or
completely killed by cold and in either
case the crop will be late at best. Uni
form planting at moderately early dates
gives the plants the best possible chance.
1t should be clearly understood that
there is no chance whatever to beat the
Dol, weevil by exceptionally late plant
in This has been tried by many thou
sands of planters with disastrous results.
Neither should cotton be planted on
poorly drained, cold bottom land under
weevil conditions.
AS a general rule, therefore. plant cot
ton as quickly as it can be done after
Thoroughly prepared soil has been set
tied nv good rains falling in south Ala
hama during the first week, in centrai
Alabama the second week and in north
! Alabama the third week of April. IL IL
becomes very certain before the 10th OF
March that we are experiencing an
"early season." these dates may be ad-
vanced one week.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
Canned Goods Freeze

Cold, unless it goes below the freezing
point, seems to have no bad effect upon
canned foods, says the bureau OF chem
istry United tSates department. OF agri-
culture A statement by the bureau IN
answer to numerous inquiries as TO the
danger of eating canned foods that nave
frozen, says:
Most canned goods will stand little
freezing without appreciable change. Ae-
peated freezing and thrawing cause Inc
foods to become flabby and gives Iiat
taste. Such change, however does not
alter the wholesomeness or food vaiue
of the material, but it may change the
texture appearance, and palatability.
The actual damage varies with the dltier-
emit kinds of canned foods and IN gen
era1 is somewhat similar to damage done
by freezing the same food in the fresh
condition.
"All canned goods, whether frozen or
not. should be inspected for evidence Oh
spoilage. due to leakage or insufficient
processing. Such spoilage Is indicated
by swelling of the cans and by an un-
pleasant flavor or odor of the contents.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
Manure Increases Corn


The results of large number of tests
conducted by the University of Missouri
college of Agriculture show that manure
applied to corn land at the rate of eight
loads per acre has given an ayera &c in
crease OF 1914 bushels during the first sea
son Iohowing it's application. At the
present price of farm products this should
pc sufficient reason for making a spe-
clal effort this spring to save every ton
or manure produced on the farm, and
10 see that it is returned to the field
before the corn crop is planted.
Manure Is unquestionablv the mos-
satisfactory corn fertilizer No Missouri
farmer should consider using commercial
plant foods this spring until he has
cleaned out every barn, feed lot and nog
pen on the place. After this has been
done and still there is medium to thin
land to be planted to corn, some CONNER
cal FERTILIZER, especially the highly phos-
phatlc ones, will doubtless be profitable
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
NATIONAL WAR GARDEN COMMISSION

ordinary conditions the war garden
ers OF this country could raise food
equivalent to what 100000 soldiers
need for 237 days, or almost eight
months. Mr.. Pack figures that Day
light Saving should increase the efh-
cheney Of these back yard munition
plant workers by fully Is per cent.
which means that they should raise
as much food as Is required by an
army Of 100000 men for 10
months
ut has been said that the war will
be won at home" declares Mr. Pack.
Every soldier must be backed up by
four or FIVE workers on this side. And
for every aviator in the air, Secre-
tary Baker has pointed out. there are
required 46 men on the ground. An
army Of 1000. 900 men eat 4.250,oo05
pounds Of food every day. The war
gardens must help to supply this
large daily amount. They must keep
right behind the boys. for food must
| follow the flag Daylight Saving will
be great help in keeping the food
supply marching along IN time to
4 the tune Of America"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
Mashed Potato Dishes

Most housekeepers know how delicious
mashed potatoes can be made by beating
them until light with hot milk. butter or
other good fat, and salt and pepper,
four tablespoons of hot milk and one
teaspoonful of the fat for every medium
sized potato. To make the mashed pota-
toes little different" they can be
turned into potato souffle by adding
the beaten white of eggs 0wo eggs to
six medium sized potatoes), piling light
Nv in a baking dish and baking in the
oven till brown. Grated cheese added to
this souffle is good.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
USE NO IMPORTED SOY BEANS

and planting. The imported seed is held
inferior to the home grown seed by the
Japanese.
AMERICAN VARIETIES BEST
In the United States much attention
has been given to the planting and adap-
tations of pure strains of soy beans
There are now handled by growers and
seedsmen about rs improved sorts. The
department of agriculture has tested out
over 1000 introductions from different
parts of the orient, and the majority of
these are much inferior to the best
American varieties. OF the numerous lots
of imported seed tested by the depart
ment nearly all have been found more
or less mixed 1t is often impossible
to distinguish the varieties from seed
color alone, and it may happen that a
single lot of this seed will produce two
or more varieties differing widely in
maturity.
The farmers are urged to plant only
seed of the American grown varieties,
even though at higher prices than that
of the imported seed. Seed of the most
generally grown varieties is still avail
able, and information as to sources OF
these may be had on application to the
department of agriculture or state ex-
pertinent stations.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28

quota of food to Uncle Sam f. o. b. Cal
iiorna This is the programme;
Berkeley, Cal, March II, 1915.
The President:
The members of the emergency food
production conference representing the
agricultural interests of the state
through the SO organized county farm
bureaus received your telegraphic mes
sage with great enthusiasm and have
adopted the following statewide pro-
gramme for the season of 1918:
To urge the building Of silo and
planting of sweet sorghum for silage
and for strip on every dairy farm in
California a.
Put out on 10000 farms one good brood
sow or two pigs, in order to increase the
amount of pork that state will raise
raised. n
ITO develop boys agricultural clubs in
every community in California where
supervision can be provided. Three
thousand boys were already growing
crops Thousands more are to Join from
this campaign.
ITO bring the women of California
who live on farms into active organiza-
ton as a part of the county farm bu-
reaus in order to increase food con-
seryation.
ITO handle farm labor situation by
eliminating unnecessary activities and
working .harder on essential ones; also
futher better distribution of labor by
means of federal employment stations
and cooperation of farm bureaus.
ITO investigate Immediately the seed
supply of the state. in order to be as
sured that an adequate amount is on
hand to plant the 1918 crops
ITO protect grain fields and grass
ranges from fire by means of county
wide protective organizations under
farm bureaus and thus eliminate a
quarter of a million dollars annual loss
in foodstuffs.
Please rest assured of our hearty CO.
operation for the successful prosecution
of the war;
| Seven projects covered the emergency
situation in California, the conferees
found Whereupon they stated them in
| a few sentences of unmistakable mean
/ ing, adopted them and went to work.
| They didn't ask the President for help;
| they didn't send kilograms to congress-
men; they didn't sit down to wait for
an appropriation. They set about solv-
ling their own problems
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
More Food Needed

In spite of the large production In
many directions during 1917, the situation
IS not satisfactory. The supply of wheat
IN this nation and In the world is mad
equate Owing to short crops in proceed
ING years the reserves OF a number OF
important commodities have been greatly
reduced Whether the war continues or
not, the demands of this country, be-
cause of the increasing population and of
the needs Of Europe, will be great They
Will continue to be great for consider
able period, even after peace returns.
There Will be an especially strong de-
mand made on this country for meats
and live stock.-Secretary Houston.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
YOUR UNCLE SAM SAYS CAN ALL YOU CAN THIS YEAR
CALIFORNIA HELPS HERSELF

President Wilson recently wrote to
gathering of farmers in California,
asking cooperation. His letter and the
answer will interest every farmer in
the south They were as follows:
Il am greatly interested in the emer-
gency feed production conference to be
held at Berkeley. 1t is highly impor-
tant that we do everything within our
power to secure sufficient supplies for
our own population and army and for
the nations with which we are assoc
ciated / trust the conference will find
ways of overcoming the difficulties in
herent in the situation and that it's
labors will be fruitful of large results,
and thereby aid in bringing this war
to a successful termination. May I not
suggest that you read to those assem-
b1ed at the conference as message
from me. the recent statement I made
to the farmers of the nation through
the conference at Urbana?"
California farmers. in response to
the foregoing message from President
Wilson, have told the President that
they will try to solve their own farm
problems. The Presidents message,
delivered through B, Fl. Crochero, ag-
ricultural extension leader in Califor-
MIA, to the state emergency food pro-
duction conference at Berkeley, March
Ii, stirred the patriotism of Califor-
MAS farmers. AS a result agriculture's
opening gun in it's 1918 campaign, or
one of them at least has been fired on
the far western front
Responding with California enthusi
asm to the telegram from the White
House, the conferees. composed of
county farm bureau delegates repre-
senting IS per cent of the farms of
the state, drew up and telegraphed to
President Wilson a plan of attack on
present threatening farm problems
labor. seed, crops to increase, preven-
ton of food losses, and SO on--the def
initeness of which has impressed Off
Gals of the United States department
of agriculture. In seven short para
graphs a plan is presented TO the Pres
ident by which these determined farm
ers, difficulties or no difficulties, pur-
pose to make delivery this year of their
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-28
How Corn Saves Wheat

investigations OF the bureau of crop
estimates of the United States depart
rnent of agriculture have place the nor
nal consumption of wheat in some or the
southern states. where little wheat IS
raised and the people eat much corn
bread. at 4 bushels per capita, while the
normal consumption in the United States
Is 5.3 bushels per capita.
II the people of the entire United States
viii substitute corn and potatoes for
wheat to the extent that some of the
southern states do. says department
publication, the per capita consumption
for the country may be lowered to four
bushels, greatly increasing the quantity
available for export to the American ar
miles and the aliieA