davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
Seed Potato Situation

William Stuart of the Bureau of Plant Industries, Washington, issues the fol- lowing official information on the potato outlook
 A recent telegraphic inquiry into the seed potato situation, with reference to the available stocks of varieties suitable for the truck growers of the south, i'm dicates that there Is a reasonably good supply In the hands of the northern seed dealers. Al the same time it was found that the southern seed dealer who serves as distributor for northern grown seed had for tine most part an ample supply on hand or in sight to meet the require ments of the growers in his territory. It would seem therefore that so far as tho supply is concerned the seed situa- tion Is in a fairly satisfactory condition. There is, however, another feature to the seed potato condition which Is 10 large extent what might be termed an unnatural and artificial condition. The condition to which we refer Is that Of the price which the southern grower Is being compelled to pay for his seed stock. The prevailing price at the pres ent time for Triumph seed stock in Texas and other points in the south and southwest is in the neighborhood of s to SS.25 per 100 pounds. In view of the unusually large crop of 1917 1t would seem as If such a price as that which has been mentioned has little or no ius- tificatlon. Apparently 1t is the result of Q reflex action on the producer Of this seed stock, due to the high prices which prevailed during the 1917 plant ing season.
 The physiological effect of the high price charged for seed potatoes in 1917 Is difficult one to overcome, and seems to make 1t possible for the pro- queer or holder of seed stock to ask and secure much higher price for his holdings than is Justified by either inc supply or the demand
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
WHO MUST CONTROL COTTON?

1 ducers and their leaders have shown since the outbreak of the war" Make the south ashamed because the world conflict and it's many phases has sent cotton up to a price where the jug glers cannot realize as they would! Sure ly Price is overflowing with patriotism. In 1914. when cotton fell to cents, did Price call on the government to- regulate tho staple? The southern farmers did, but got nothing.
 Northern papers keep harping on high cotton. It hurts them to think the south is getting a little of the gravy left in the skillet caused by the unfortunate war.
 The northern advocates of government control seem to agree among themselves that about IS cents is right. while the few southerners who advocate control think 3O cents right. This is the first time in years when the southern cotton raiser has got enough out of his staple to go round, and have some change left.
 If the manipulators of the fleecy staple are going to force down cotton to a point where high wages, high fertilizer, the boil weevil, the pink bollworm and other stumbling blocks win not leave a margin of profit for the raiser, then let the matter come to a head in Congress one way or the other before preparations for the next crop begin or seed is planted.
 Perhaps these "cotton profiteers," as Price calls them, can make more money rasing hogs for Uncle Sam than they can by raising cotton for Wall street manip- ulators to tuggle and wax fat on
 The cotton raiser simply wants to know where he Is at," and right now at that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
How Far Do Bees Fly?
By R. A. MORGAN

There is great deal of speculation about the distance bees fly for nectar. In handling bees in large quantities we learn many things that we would never have chance to learn with only a few.
 Bees can and will fly seven miles for nectar if 1t Is real necessary. But in flying seven miles very little sur- plus honey is stored, and 1t is very un- common to find bees flying much over two miles,
 Bees do the best work inside of A mile circle. They seem to be able to take care of everything within one mile with perfect ease-the young working the territory near the hive and the older ones reaching out from one to two miles. It is the same with bees as with men-the farther we go the longer 1t takes to make 8 trip and the less trips per day. Bees are very ambitious and if there Is nothing near the hive then they will go farther and farther. even five to seven miles.
 l am saying all this for the sake of encouraging people to try bees even if they are not in close proximity to large fields of alfalfa or sweet clover. for if they have good forage within two miles the bees will find it and utilize it. How ever, we should have a fine lot of sweet clover within 40 rods. Then there are a great variety of things that can be grown near the house, such as the plum. cherry, strawberry, mignonette and other towering shrubs and garden vegetables
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
WILL GOVERNMENT PROTECT NEXT COTTON CROP?
Wade's Letter

Information has reached us that stand ard quality commercial fertilizer will sell at $35 to $40 per ton during the coming season. We are also getting many com plaints from farmers who consider these prices excessively high We do not con- slider these prices high when compared t' the present prices of farm products and the prices of other manufactured products. We formerly paid s20 to s25 per ton for fertilizer with which to pro- 'duce cotton at 10 to 15 cents per pound, corn at 75 cents per bushel and other products in similar proportion. Since the prices of farm products have slightly more than doubled. the present price and use of commercial fertilizer affords a better margin for profits than 1t did in previous years We would advise every farmer in Alabama to make good use Of all barn yard manure, velvet bean and pea stubbles and to use normal amount oe commercial fertilizer under his crops this year We believe we are safe in saying that the present high prices of farm products will prevail throughout an- other harvesting season. In fact, con- ditions really indicate even higher prices for all food and feed products as time gees on.
 We have been considering for some time the possibility of some ruling that would protect the farmers from the high cost of fertilizer bags. We are beseeched with letters asking us to permit fertilizer and fertilizer material to be sold at re- tai. in bulk order to eliminate the cost of bags. Section 36 of the political code of Alabama provides that all commercial fertilizer or fertilizer material sold in the state shall be in bags, barrels or packages with the brand name, guaran- teed analysis, name and place of manu- facturer printed thereon or attached thereto and the state tax tag attached. Alter careful study of section Al which limits the power of the commissioner of agriculture in promulgating rulings. we are convinced that the commissioner has not the authority to set aside, change or modify section 36 which provides for the bagging and tagging of fertilizer or fertilizer material
 After much thought on the subject of permitting the sale of fertilizer and fer tilizer material In bulk or the use of secondhand bags, we are of the opinion that such a ruling. If 1t were legal, would practically nullify the whole of the fertilizer laws which protect the honest dealers and consumers, and would open up avenues for fraud whereby the farm CTS could be defrauded out of more money by the substitution of low-grade goods than would be saved by eliminating the cost of sacks. The department of agriculture would be rendered powerless to protect them in the quality of the goods so purchased. For these reasons and others, the department of agricul- ture will pursue the usual policy of re- qufring fertilizer and fertilizer material to be bagged, branded and tagged.
 J. A. WADE, Commissioner of Agriculture and Indus
 tries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
By JOHN c. MOSES

Theodore Price. editor of Commerce and Finance, published in New York, in a re- cent issue expelled his inner feelings to-
 ward the southern cotton growers in the
 following paragraph:
 ''The future of the cotton market ap-
 pears to have become entirely question
 of whether in the language of President
 Wilson. the law of supply and demand has been replaced by the law of unre- strained selfishness insofar as the price of cotton Is concerned. If so, we may be sure that a way will be found to curb the greed of the would-be profiteers. for public feeling upon the subject has now become very intense."
 This public feeling of course. is con fired to a bunch of Wall street manipu- lators and New England spinners, who. have been making profits beyond belief These cotton pirates have squeezed the southern cotton raiser for years and years, and now that circumstances and southern spot holdings have placed cot ton above 30 cents they commence to we'll and call the man who raised it a profi- teer."
 Who sent spot cotton to 31 cents? Not Wall street, you can bet odds on. This man Price claims to be a southerner and in another paragraph, discussing the cotton situation, says: Tt is for this req son (being southerner) that I have felt 1t my duty to try and make the south of what has seemed to me the greed that the cotton pro-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
Destroy Homes of Insects

Clean up the cabbage patch! Don't raise . crop of Insect pests on the stalks. That is what is likely to happen if stalks of cabbage or of cauliflower, collards, brussels sprouts, and such veg tables are left in the garden after they have fulfilled their food mission. En- tomologists of the United States depart ment of agriculture advise that where such remnants of the garden can be promptly fed to hogs or cattle a double purpose will be served-insect pests will be kept down and food provided for meat making animals.
 The plants just named are affected by the same class of insects of which there are several distinct kinds-cabbage worms. the cabbage looper, harlequin cab bage bug. cabbage aphis, and other plant lice and cutworms-any one of which, if 1t occurs in sufficiently largo numbers, Is capable of destroying an entire crop. After the cabbs ge has been cut the stalks are likely to bear numerous shoots which harbor the Insects in autumn and even during early winter. Cabbage heads which haven't properly matured either because of insect ravages or for other reasons also may provide place of refuge for bugs. All such crop remnants which cannot be used for feed. and weeds or other rubbish, should be destroyed now by burning.
 If the gardener is familiar with the use of arsenicals some stalks may be left specialists say. The pests which gather on such traps can be readily destroyed by dusting the plants with dry Paris green or arsenate of lead diluted with about 20 parts of finely sifted lime or road dust.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31

operations of harvesting, grading, pack lng' inspecting and shipping has been started on other truck crops
 As result of these investigations inc bureau of markets was able to recom- mend immediately, in conjunction with the United States food administration on the request of the federal reserve beard, potato grades for use by member banks when, in August, the banks were authorized to make loans against ware house receipts for potatoes properly graded, packed, stored and insured These grades are described in a nl,hli- cation of the department, Markets Doc ument z.
 The tentative grades worked out in lslb were put to practical test bv be- Ing used as basis for the actual field grading of car lots of onions and pota- toes to compare the movement and sell Ing price of graded stock with that which had not been graded
 Tn thss work experiments have been made to determine the efficiency and practlcability of machinery for sizing these crops. It was demonstrated that the work may be done economically and with more uniform results by the i1se of machines than by hand methods.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
Illustration of Progress

A new high record in the south was made in the prices paid at the public auction sale of Duroc-Jersey bred sows held January at Cochran, Ga, by ]. P. & W. H. Peacock and J. w. Hodge. An average of s260 each was paid for Al head and huber of sows bred to Orion Cherry King, Jr.. the great ss5o0 Duroc boar owned by Peacock & Hodge. brought an average of $S11. After the public sale sucking pig. a son of Orion Cherry hdng' Jr., was sold at private sale for SlW. The purchasers at the sale were rom five southeastern states.
 The results of the sale ;,lus+r.+ achievement and progress in the ,ivs stock industry in the southeast. The magnifiicent animals that were sold dem. onstrated the high achievement Of tha selling breeders. whose work Is a benefit ana a credit to the south. The fact that new record prices were paid showed that breeders and hog raisers generally in our part of the country have come to an. preciate the greater value of high-class live stock. e''sa
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
Catching the Sly Rat
By GEORGE w. BURToN

Although it does not seem to be gen. erally known, rats are wary creatures. and all sorts of camouflage must be resorted to if they are to be trapped successfully. Several years ago these pestifeous little rodents began to get overfamiliar with our poultry, killing the little chicks and carrying off the eggs.
 On each of two successive nights T caught 8 rat in a steel trap and al- though the trap was hidden in various ways, still the other rats continued their depredations and avoided capture
 My brotherin-law suggested that when set the trap should grasp the end of the attached chain, and let the trap hang for several minutes over a fire. This, he said, would remove the human scent and the rats would not be so suspicious. Using the method l succeeded in ridding the place of rats for while, but eternal vigilance is the price of rat-free premises.
 In order to use the steel trap inside the puoltry house with no danger of catching the chickens. I use a wooden box of convenient size, with the ton and one side removed. The trapefs set in front of the rat hole, the box is then turned botto mup over the trap and hole, with the open side against the wall. admitting the rat and excluding the chicken.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31

for 1917, the great predominance of the north central states is conspicu- ous and their production is mostly hu- man food and animal feed The 12 chief crops produced in these states for cotton does not appear, had a value that is nearly one-half, or over 4S per cent of the value of the IS crops for the whole country. Of this division the section west of the Mis- sissippi river produced the greater value, or over 27 per cent, of the na- tion's total, while the eastern section produced 21 per cent.
 The entire south produced nearly three-eighths of the total value of the nations IS crops, or 361s per cent, and this fraction was divided among the three sections so that the South At- lanttc states produced 14 per cent, the south central section east of the Mis- sissippi river 9M per cent and the section west of that river 13 per cent. The smallest share of the total value of the 13 crops remains to the north Atlantic states and to the western states, z F per cent each.
 The relative standing of the yarious divisions of states in value of chief crcps may be better understood when It Is remembered that the corn crop or 1917 has an estimated value of S4,0o4 100000, cotton lint $1,452.000.- 900, hay s1,359, 100000, wheat $1.s07. o0o,o00 and oats $1,061, 1000, 900; and that the north central states enor mously produce corn, wheat, oats and nay. and the southern states cotton. With strong support from corn. to- bacco, sweet potatoes and rice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
Care of Turkeys

While 1t is not necessary to pamper your turkeys. 1t Is very essential that those intended for next seasons stock bo given . little extra care during the cold part of the winter.
 If left entirely to themselves, they will roost in some tall tree or upon the roof of some building. Did you ever notice how dejected they look on a cold, dreary morning, when they come down of the roost for their breakfastf
 However, 1t Is not advisable to keep turkeya housed with other poultry, be- cause they are always more or less abusive, especially at feeding time. Be- eidea. e house that Is all right for tur- keys may be all wrong for other fowls. It ia not warmth that they require. The turkey is . very hardy bird and can endure a great deal of cold. What they need Is shelter from the clements. The turkey has . heavy coat of feathers, but somehow, . turkeys feathers will not turn rain as well as those of other poultry. Even snow seems to soak rfxht in. when they are out all night.
 we have . good, dry shed enclosed with netting on about half of one side. This lets the birds have plenty of sun- shine Cbeing open on the south side) even when the snow is too deep for them to have free range. It is best to keep all poultry-ducks, geese. guineas, turkeys. and chickens housed in winter when the voather is very cold.
 Sea that the turkeys have good. strong roosts. not too high. Provide plenty Of puro Watsr to drink. Do not forget grit and charcoal Feed some green stun alcnr with grain Onions are good for turkeys.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
Why Grade Potatoes?

Because 1t is progressive. For years the growers of fruit in California and thu Pacific northwest have competed sue cessfully with growers a thousand or two thousand miles nearer the markets they entered. The western growers grade their products so every box is uniform and pack in such manner that every fruit is perfect when it reaches the con srner. Following their lead New York apple growers and others now grade and pack carefully. Apples from such states are standard in markets, demanded and well paid for by those who know good fruit and wish always to be sure they get 1t.
 Southern potato growers associations have graded potatoes for years and marked their best grades. In the poor market year of 1915 practically every car of 10,0O0 sent out by one southern as- sociation was sold direct. The buyers knew just what they would get from this association and took it's stock at fair price, while ungraded potatoes went beg ging. Other shippers associations and many large growers have recognized tho trend of events. and would have graded all their potatoes, even had the food ad- ministration not required it. Be up to date. then. and grade your potatoes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
"Hogging Down Best

It Is both practical and profitable to harvest a part of the corn crop by hog ging' 1t down. Experience proves that the method is defective.
 ''Hogging down makes possible more rapid production of pork and at lower cost than where corn Is fed by hand, and no corn need be wasted in the field if rightly managed. By careful calcula- tons it has been found that saving of about 6 to cents on every bushel Is made The pork made by bushel of corn '.hogged down. is about 12 pounds
 It is important that young pigs be used for best results, preferably spring shotes farrowed in March. April or May It is also essential that the pigs get some sort of supplemental feed while in the corn field. This may be some crop grown in the field as rape, rye. pump kins or the like, or some concentrate such as velvet bean meal. buttermilk or middlings.
 In a test the cost of producing pork by "hogging down" without a supple ment was $314 hundred. while with the use of a supplement the cost amounted to about $2.60.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
Good Neighbors
By INEz A. JEWELL

There is nothing that will promote peace and harmony in the country more
 than good neighbors. and to have good neighbors, you must yourself be one. Here are a few good rules that should
 be observed: Always try to be pleasant and cheery when you meet them. A bright smile and hearty greeting will help to make the day pleasant, and do not start to run down one neighbor when talking to another. If you cannot say
 something good or pleasant of them, then talk of something else
 If you have a very near neighbor, do not get so familiar that you become nuisance. Don't drop in at any and all hours, above all at meal tilse. Do not allow your children to almost live there, or stay for meals. Teach them to al- ways come home at meal times and at other times when hungry to come home not to ask for food at the neghbors. Some children can easily form the bad habit of asking for something to eat almost as soon as they get into another home. Do not run in without first knock ing for admission. 1 know of one woman who would quietly slip into the neigh bor's house, and sit down until dis covered, saying she liked to see how long she could remain unseen, and also to find out If she was being talked about, which was finally stopped by keeping the screen doors hooked, at front of house. while doing up the kitchen work.
 A good neighbor should be willing to help another at times, when she Is hard pressed, or in sickness, and at times to take care of little neighbors' while their busy mother goes to town. But mothers. don't make the mistake of leav- ing your children too often with anoth- ar. as 1t gets tiresome after few times. If you borrow an article, don't fail to return 1t. and promptly, too; don't wait weeks, and even months, or have to be asked to return anything.
 If your neighbor Is sick, try taking her children home with you for few hours, or tho day, and see how she will appreciate the quiet and rest Make friendly calls to new people coming into the neighborhood. Plan for all to join in together sometimes for an all-day picnic, or an evening with music and songA
 If each ono will try to do his or her best, your neighborhood will be all that ono could wish for, and when one comes 10 leave such place 1t will be with feelings of real regret
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-31
Cotton Root-Knot

When cotton wilt and root-knot are present the whole scheme of farming must often be changed and planned with special reference to the control of these highly important enemies of the cotton crop. says a new Farmers' Bulletin, "Cotton Wilt and Root-Knot" (No. 625). Just published by the United States de- pertinent of agriculturs. The planting of wilt-resistant strains of cotton and the use of crop rotations are the two inn portant measures that must be taken In the regions affected by the diseases. 1t Is pointed out. If profitable cotton production is to be continued
 The bulletin contains list of the more important crops which are immune or highly resistant to root-knot and outlines certain two and three-year rotations. in. volving the use of such crops, which have satisfactorily controlled the disease Emphasis Is laid on the fact that cot ton wilt can be practically controlled only by the use of resistant varieties, several of which. including the Dixie and Dillon. have been developed by the bureau of plant industry during the past 15 yaarg Sources from which wilt resistant seed may be secured are given and methods for the farm breeding and maintenance of resistant strains de- scribed. Copies may be had free on ap- plication to the United States depart ment of agriculture. Washington. D. C., 70 long as the supply lastA