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The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
Hold the Good Cow


There is probably greater tendency
to dispose Of heifer calves now than
at any previous time for a consider
able term of years. This is because it
Is difficult to see how the young stock
can be raised to maturity on prevail
ing high priced feeds at a profit. How
ever, dairy cattle are now, and have
been for several years. selling at I'M
precedented high figures and there is
no reason to believe thot this will not
continue; moreover the price OF milk
and products is raising rapidly in all
parts of the country. Without doubt.
these prices will be largely maintained
even after normal prices on most COM
modities retur nwith the close of the
war. This Is because dairy products
never have sold at prices which their
real values justified. In common with
every other phase Of the live stock in
dustry. dairying Is almost certain to
undergo season of prosperity when
peace Is restored The wise farmer or
dairyman will not dispose of good she
stuff, either young or mature, but will
rather pave the way for what seems
bound to be very profitable business
by getting his dairy herd Ia the best
possils shape at the present Tina.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
WADE ISSUES TIMEL Y WARNING

istence to plant all the crops second
time. When a considerable percentage of
stands are lost, a large quantity of food
is wasted for the nation and much money
value is lost. Farmers should use good
judgment and plant only the hardest
crops early and arrange to protect such
crops as are easily injured by frost or
freezes, both of which are almost sure
to come. Gardens may be planted and
sweet potatoes bedded. Covering should
be provided for potato beds, beans and
other tender plants that usually succumb
to cold. Corn may be planted at any
time hereafter, as it will spring again
after being bitten down by frost 1t
can only be destroyed by freezing to
the depth of the germ. Orchards have
already sprung to the danger point Wood
should be distributed at convenient
places throughout the orchards and ev-
erything made ready for keeping the
temperature up with fires in case of dam
aging weather. without such precau-
ton the fruit crop Is serious danger
of being lost
Cotton shorNd be yanted in south
Alabama up to Montgomery from March
20 to April 10, central Alabama between
Montgomery and Birmingham from April
to April 20, and from Birmingham
north April 10. to May l. Velvet beans
and peanuts should be planted in the
month of May.
LABOR CONDITIONS
The shortage in farm labor is one of
the nations greatest problems. Meetings
of public officials have been and are still
being held. Many BE it resolved" and
"Whereases'' are being offered but so
far no one has offered a. practical public
solution of the question. One of the lat
est plans offered is for the government
to allow the farmer boys who have been
drafted to return to their homes to make
a crop and then report FOR service
abroad in the SUMMER This plan is
without logic to begin with 1t is i'm
possible to give men military training
when they stand one In a hill behind
pillow or hoe handles. They would be
poor subjects for fighting Bouches, If
trained under any such system. The
number of farm laborers in the army
is small compared to those in the ship
yards, nitrate plants, munition plants,
laborers at environments, and all other
public works where high wages are be-
ing paid. These industries are necessary
and must go on, hence no remedy there.
In our opinion, the labor problem can
only be solved by the boys and girls
patriotic women, gentlemen of leisure, old
men and retired men going vigorously
to work on the farms and gardens. Every
habitually idle man boy physically
capable of service should be forced to
produce something or be declared a va
grant and be dealt with such regard
less of his means of support. We do
not need. any drones now We need the
Capt. John Smith plan and back it up
work or stop eating. are you a prov
Queer or parasite? Your conscience
will answer and the world will know
your answer by the fruits of your labor.
j. A. WADE,
Commissioner of Agriculture and In
dustrles.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07

Very few people seem to realize that
Alabama is now buying more food prod
ucts than she is selling. This condition
has developed within three months after
the largest food crop ever produced in
the state was harvested. Alabama has
sold short and is now buying it back.
The quick sale at high prices of Ala
bamas big food and feed crops is posi-
tive proof of the world being hungry
and the reserve very low. Mr.. Hoover
says food stringency is threatening the
southwestern states. Chicago, in the CEN
ter of the wheat belt, is complaining
of flour shortage. People in some COM
munities in Alabama have not had an
opportunity to buy flour or sugar for sew
eral weeks. When the home grown sup
ply of corn and meat is exhausted, they
will be equally as hard to obtain. Eng
land, France and Italy are pleading for
an increased shipment of American food.
What viii be the result, If you and a
majority of other Americans fail to pro-
duce enough for yourselves and some to
spare? What will the consequences be,
If we as farmers are negligent, if the
rainfall should be insufficient or dam
agingly excessive over a considerable
portion of this country? The starvation
which is now threatening all Europe
would be brought to the door of every
American citizen. The great American
eagle that has protected our ancestors
and their posterity for nigh unto 1T
years would utter cries of distress in our
ears. The destiny of American liberty
would be dangerously threatened by the
sword Of the barbarous Hun. Awakel
patriotic Americans, produce and con-
serve as never before Victory and SUI
premacy, we must have. America calls
upon each and every one of her sons and
daughters to do their level best.
SWEET POTATOES LOST
s Information seems to be pretty gem
eral that the potato houses and banks
have suffered severe losses this winter.
People who have been fortunate enough
to save more potatoes than they
need for seed, should look out for their
neighbors to supply them with seed be-
fore putting any on the market for eat
ing purposes. Alabama has quarantined
against the shipping of seed potatoes or
potato plants from the states south and
west on account of the potato weevil.
Therefore, we are dependent upon our last
seasons crop here in the state for seed
and plants.
Keep preparing your soils over and
over, making them better each time Do
not get impatient and plant too early,
but wait until the usual planting time
regardless of the appearance of an early
spring. Plant quickly when you start
and in the best possible condition Seed
are too scarce and too high to be ex-
perimenting with the weather.
Get ready for gardening days. south
Alabama, March T. central Alabama,
March Il, north Alabama, March 81.
Present indications are that spring time
is breaking upon us nearly a month
earlier than usual. When the warm days
come birds being to sing and trees be-
gin to bud. people get restless and want
to plant their crops. This is a time
when planting seed are very high and
scarce. There is not enough seed in ex-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
Farmers Organizing

ny ~. FOftD
observation-disclosures Farmers Union
As l have just returned from the field,
am glad to say that / had some very en-
thusiastic and successful meetings In
Cullman county we were met at Blount
Springs and carried about eight miles
over some very bad roads, but when we
arrived at the place Of meeting we found
a large crowd awaiting us.
First thing in order was to eat din
ner,' and in the afternoon we had pub
lie speaking; then went into executive
session. We elected two organizers to
go TO work in Cullman county. We feel
satisfied that Cullman county will double
her membership in very short time.
From there 1 made run into Franklin
county, and held a very fine meeting.
taking in lot of new members and
electlng local organizers to work that
county.
On March I was in Morgan county.
and on the Sth and 9Th in Crenshaw
county. Then l will take up my tour
over the state. | want to visit every
county In our state in the next two or
three months and get wide-awake organ
izers to work in each county. I ask
that every president and secretary of
each county cooperate with me- write at
once the most essential point to hold a
mass meeting ip each county.
am expecting our national president,
G. s. Barrett, to be with me part of the
time. Now, brother farmer, get busy and
we Will double our membership in the
next 90 days We will not be salts
ned until we have membership of at
least 5000 farmers in bur order. 1
am glad to state to you that the bust
ness men and the Civic association in
Birmingham are heartily supporting and
indorsing the Farmers union in every
way possible. So wake up and get busy
we want marketing bureau established
In birmingham, and we can get it if we
Will only go after it. l hope to see many
of our members soon
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
Mares Before Foaling
By ]. L. wEsTnRnoIx

Carelessness and lack of knowledge q
responsible for large number of lossl
which occur during foaling. This is DOL
bly, true because in case of trouble al
must be given quickly and accuratsIS
The loss of foals before weaving, tim
has been estimated from 10 per cent
% per cent of the crop and the greats
part of this loss occurs before the foaa
are two weeks old. Much of it can I
avoided by attention and care.
Prior to the birth of the foal, mare
should have enough of good, WHOLESOME
food and water; plenty of exercise; clear
light and altogether sanitary quartz,
along with regular attention directed al
given by man who likes the horses an
who looks after this matter not from
sense of profit and loss alone, but be
cause of human interest and duty
On the average farm the problem q
exercise is not troublesome. The grea
difficulty is to find help that will han
die brood mares carefully. Brood mare
may work up to within two or three day
of the date of foaling, and be benefited
by it. They should be given moderat
but steady work. Such mares shoul#
not be given work which requires back
ing heavy loads, or where there is /:
chance of slipping. But they can and
should be worked.
There are many satisfactory rations fo5
brood mares. Among them e. T. Trowa
bridge of the University of Missouri col
lege of agriculture mentions the follow
ing: Oats, parts; bran, l part; mixed
clover and timothy hay. Oats. parts.
corn, 2 parts; bran, / part; mixed cloveS
and timothy hay.
Feed for this class of horses should
always be of the best quality and of such
composition that 1t will not cause dl5
gestive trouble. AS general rule mares
doing light work should eat approximate
ly one pound of hay and one pound o.
grain per day per 1000 pounds live
weight. This matter should be governed
however, by the condition of the marea
and they should be gaining in condition
with digestion in best of condition as
the critical time approaches.
Mares should be given a box stall ~
least four weeks before they are due to
foal in order that they become accus-
toned to it, and may also have a place
large enough to be comfortable during
the night The stall should at all times
be kept clean and we'll bedded, but par
ticular care should be taken regarding
these details when the foal Is born. II
truly known the source of navel trouble
in foals Is generally a dirty stable or
yard. AS a safeguard against navel
disease besides the scrupulously clean
stall, the navel should be tied and treated
with a strong disinfectant, such as a So
luton of carbolic acid.
If the season of the year and other ex-
listing conditions permit, mares may well
be allowed to foal on grass, which !es@
sens the danger of infection.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
Remember This

Remember this in making your pig
gerry ready for the spring war filters,
little pig loves sunshine and needs
1t almost as much as he needs food.
NO piggery is fit for the purpose un-
less 1t admits direct sunshine Onto the
floor OF every pen - the time the
pigs are narrowed, furnishes plenty of
Iresh air and provides for exercise In
the open air. Dryness, sunshine,
warmth, fresh air, freedom from drafts
ana exercise are of primary impor-
lance in raising pigs. These secured
the job is half done. In putting up
buildings the six requirements just
mentioned must be kept constantly In
MIND. Not one can be neglected
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
Cheese Is a Fine Meat Saver

There's great deal of food in lit
tie piece of it. Don't eat it at the
end of a meal when you have already
had enough You wouldn't eat a piece
of meat then. An inch cube of Amer
Jean cheese contains a third more pro-
tein than piece of lean meat of the
same size. Cheese is excellent food If
eaten at the right time. Get from the
United States department of agricul-
ture the farmers bulletin on cheese,
Nc. 4S7, to learn how to use it in
rlany ways
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07

by turning under the crimson clover
and planting corn again ON the same
land. This practice was continued for
five years. The third year the yield
or corn was about 40 bushels to the
acre and the fifth year the crop made
yield of so bushels to the acre.
GROWS GOOD WHEAT CROP
Up to the time of the change In
the cropping system it had been the
regular practice to apply 200 pounds
of Is per cent acid phosphate per acre
to each crop grown. Under that sys-
tenn. however. crop yields could not be
maintained. After the change in crop
ping system the same amount of acid
phosphate was applied each year to
the corn crop. The only real change in
method was to grow first crop of
coWpeas and after that to turn under
a catch crop of crimson clover in
preparation for the corn each wear
The Improvement in soil conditions il
further evident from the fact that
after the fifth consecutive corn crou
wheat was sown and yield Of q
bGshels per acre was harvested While
these yields are not extremely larga
1t was possible by simple methods and
with comparatively small expense To
increase the producing capacity OF
some very poor land to about three
times what it had formerly been.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
Plow Points

Lime, legunes and livestock-this il
the answer to the fertilizer problem.
The record of American farmers in 1917
is certainly proud achievement and
splendid promise of what will be done in
1918.
Preparedness means that every farm
implement and machine be In good work
ing condition when the time comes to nut
in the big war crops.
How about your vegetable gaNdenY
There was never time when it would
pay you SO well to raise all your own
vegetab les. You should have fresh veg
etables on your table three times a day
this summer. Put in your garden as
soon as possible, and then turn it over
to the women folk Let them make the
care of the vegetable garden a part Of
their patriotic work
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
Amateur Milking Rules

never attempt to milk without letting
inc COW know 1t is her privilege and.
besides. 1t is unfair to attempt it behind
her back.
If milking is done in the sitting room
parior or library. first carefully remove
ras carpet and pictures from wall. Even
with greatest care. a teat is apt to slip.
Don't stop to argue with a calf. Give
way to it. For. after all, the little dear
mas a priority right, you must concede,
especially if hungry.
While COW is kicking over milk bucket.
re careful not to get in way You might
dent the bucket and it would certainly
prove great disappointment to the COW.
Hardened copper photograph needles
are the invention of New York man,
who also has succeeded in making a
watch spring from the metal.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
HOGS AND POTATOES MIX WE'LL

potato produced a quality of fat equal
to that produced by the corn meal. The
dried potato did not produce soft pork,
The animals maintained tip-top condi-
ton throughout the feeding and carried
high degree of finish. Not a pig went
offfeed during the feeding.
No difference could be noticed in any
way in the curing qualities or the excel
lence of cured meats.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
ALL TOGETHER FOR A BUMPER CROP IN THE SOUTT
Rural Briefs
Beware Of dead seed.

Beware of dead seed.
Food is all important
No dead seed corn wanted.
Every shivver costs drop of milk
sults.
Brains are the best grease for a
tractor
Waste not, want not, is the motto OF
hen.
A taste of pasture of winters day
-silage.
The tractor hitch is mightier than the
lariat.
The average automobile on the farm
is a truck as well.
The hard pull is sometimes lightened
by the tractor.
Corn is corn this year-but very little
Consult ule COW when you try to feed
her a balanced ration.
The bee hasn't got it on the hen when
is comes to business.
The increasing use of tractors is bring
ing n the small threshers.
The man behind the tractor is as i'm
rortant as the man behind the gun.
A well-built tractor will make good
like Missouri mule when handled.
Kindness is necessary in the man
who would make a success with live
stock
Tfe right kind of boy and the right
kind of a tractor make a good combi-
nation.
Patience and some ability as a me-
chauic are necessary to the man who
would run a tractor
Last season put the seal of approval
on flint corn. In many localities it was
the only corn that came through.
When mans own spark plug won't
throw a spark of common sense, he
had better not try operating a tractor
An ear of corn that is good for seed
will be almost worth it's weight in
gold. When a good thing is scarce, ii
becomes valuable. And real seed corn
is exceedingly scarce
Planting seed corn is a poor way OF
starting a crop. Most of our corn is
dead. There must be found live corn
to insure a start The earliest will dis
cover This live corn.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
nn nnnVl TIRE AT MENT. 1t
IXUvRAX gives quick relief
UMV8 ~ j Swelling and short

All distressing symptoms rapidly dis
General improvement is realized. / send
by mail trial treatment absolutely
FREE. Try 1t. Never heard of anythine-
its equal for dropsy
Write to DIR. THOMAS Il. GREEN
Bank Bldg. Box 20. Chntsworth. On.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07

In experiments covering three years
on a farm In the western part OF
North Carolina winter grazing proved
to be the cheapest and most satisfac-
tory method of wintering stock cattle
and produced substantial gains each
year. The winter grazed cattle made
the largest total gain for the year
and at less cost per head than any oil
the steers wintered In barns.
Descriptions and results of the ex-
perrin ents are given In bulletin re-
Gently issued by the United States
department of agriculture. The expert
E,ents were conducted by the bureau
of animal industry of the United States
department of agriculture, in cooper
alton with the North Carolina agri-
cultural experiment station. The farm,
being located in the western part of
North Carolina, which Is extremely
mountainous and rough and presents
problem of peculiar Importance to
the farmer or cattle grower Is said
to typify conditions to be met in q
number of surrounding states. The
area available for the growing of
crops for winter maintenance in this
section Is restricted because of the
mountainous condition, and the re-
suits of the experiments are consid-
cred of unusual Importance to stock
growers in similar locations.
WINTER-GRAZED CATTLE
The winter-grazed cattle made lar
ger average profit than any Of the
other lots of cattle in the experiments
Not including manure, the total profit
was $22.36 per head. The winter
grazed cattle cost the least per head
fo- feed. both winter and summer, this
being $1,000.
Results of the three years work
show that steers which have been fed
silage heavily during the winter make
pr actically as good gains the follow
ing summer on pasture as steers win
tered solely on dry feeds The total
average gain. winter and summer. of
the silage-fed steers was 319 pounds,
while the dry-fed steers made a total
average gain of 329 pounds per head
Considering that the dry-fed cattle
were somewhat better in quality. there
is not enough difference in the gain
TO show that si1age wintered cattle do
not thrive well the following sum-
mer.
YEAR-ROUND PASTURE
Ihe results show conclusively the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
YEAR-ROUND PASTURE

Inc results show conclusively the
Value OF winter pasture when com
oihea Win summer pasture. The total
average gain from fall to fall on these
cattle was $50 pounds, which was
made at cost og s0.031 per pound.
Ihe winter grazed cattle did well on
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
WINTER GRAZING PAYS BEST

summer grass and on the average were
better cattle when finished in the fall
than those wintered in the barns.
The next most economical showing
was made by the cattle wintered on
silage, slower, and hay, followed b.
grass in summer. The average cost
per pound gain was s0039 for the to-
tai gain made from fall to fall. This
shows the value of silage in winter
ing stoeker cattle.
The dry-wintered cattle which were
finished on grass alone the next sum-
rner made an average gain of 344
pounds per steer at an average cost
of s0.04S per pound, which was prac-
tically / cent per pound more for the
wintered cattle.
The cattle wintered on silage, corn
stover, and hay and finished on grass
and cake made an average total gain.
from fall to fall of 1928 pounds at a
cost of $0.065 per pound, whereas the
cattle wintered on the same ration but
finished on grass alone made their
gains at cost of $0.03S per pound
This shows that the silage and grass
combination during winter and sum
mer, respectively. is the more salts
factory, considering the cost OF the
gains.
METHOD NOT ECONOMICAL
The steers wintered on a dry RAJ
ton of ear corn, corn slower and hay
and finished during the summer on
grass and cotton seed cake made a
total gain of 314 pounds from fall to
fall at an average cost of $0.074 per
pound. This was the most expensive
gain produced. 1t is interesting to note
in this connection that this is the
common method of wintering stock
cattle in the mountains of North Caro-
lima and of surrounding states.
Considering the combination where
the cattle were dry wintered on ear
corn, corn slower and hay and fin
ished on grass alone, the average cost
per pound for the total gain made
from fall to fall was St.04S. The diff ;
ference between the ration fed in this
case and that presented in the fore
going paragraph was the elimination
of the cotton seed cake during the
summer, which reduced the cost per
pound of gain from $0.074 to $004S.
These figures show that the combina-
ton of dry wintering with grass dur.
ing the summer produced the least
economical gains from fall to fall.
The important conclusion to be drawn
from these figures is that where win
ter pasture cannot be provided, cat :.
tie wintered on corn silage with dry
roughage and finished on grass make
the cheapest gains
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07
MICCEII,ANEOIIC

Old FALSE TEETH wANTED~Don't
matter If broken we pay up to SIS per
set; also cash for old gold, silver and
broken jewelry; check sent by return
mail; goods held 10 days for sender's
approval of our offer. Mazer's Tooth
6sslty. 2oo7 8. 6th st.. Philadelphia,
Pa.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07

An ear of corn that is good for seed
will be almost worth its weight in
gold. When a good thing is scarce, it
becomes valuable. And real seed corn
is exceedingly scarce.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-07

When mans own spark plug won
throw a spark of common sense, h
had better not try operating tractor