davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
Wade as a Poet

The latest statistics collected from all
parts of Alabama indicate that the acre
age planted and to be planted as com
pared with last year shows the following
Increases: Corn per cent cotton Is per
cent, peanuts % per cent, velvet beans
per cent, COW peas 81 per cent. sweet po-
tatoes "a per cent, Irish potatoes 10 PEI
cent, oats 10 per cent, and wheat 50 per
cent The same report indicates a de-
crease in the available supply OF
farm labor of II per cent Just
>ow the farmers expect to hanole
.such a large increase in acreage
with a decreased labor supply / DO no.
quite understand. 1t is possible thAe
they intend to overcome this difference oy
working harder and longer each day,
putting in more days each week, Dy
drawing on the family for more ilelo
work, and the use of machinery. rms
extra task must be cared for IN soihe
way, and if the farmers of Alabama can
get through with it successfully no one
will have occasion to question their en-
ergy or patriotism.
To the Fellow who does not like to
work, :. AFRAID to fight. and has money
which he will not lend to the govsrn-
ment, submit the following little poem:
l am a young American, while patriot
ism is all the rage,
am between twenty and thirty-one, the
military age
l am a timid fellow and cannot use a
gun,
not kill a Hun.
thought was a perfect man before
the war, but now I know I'm de-
fective,
1 am near-sighted, knocked-kneed, pi-
geon-toed, and not fit for a selec-
tive
1 have lcafed and dissipated with wnis-
ky, cigarettes, and tobacco,
l have come at last to find I am moth
ing tut a Stacker.
1 am an American citizen. too old to go
to war,
l am a pacifist and can't see what they
are fighting for
I do not love 10 labor, / had rather h1n.
and go fishing The ponds,
l Save tic money to invest in either
Thrift Stamps or Liberty Bonds.
do not he to plow AID Zoe or atter 1
to pesky flocks,
I would rather toost and blow around tho
towns and white on box.
I would rather risk my liberty for some
others 10 desent.
I do not want to Gieh; or work, and dc
not care to lend.
I am an American citizen Of the aristo-
cratic and society class,
/ must have chauffeur, butler. cook,
and nurse, if the farms grow up in
grass.
cannot fight for 1t is dangerous; can
not labor, it is undignified,
! can only make patriotic speechs sn1
entertain people far and wide.
I mus, i'tt the politicians, s.se my so1s
VIII nave to go,
/ Hsust seizure for them commissions or
governmental positions, you know.
I waptthe cruel Huns defeated and IRE.
serve my liberty,
I want others to do my fighting, farm
Ing and financing. I am Stacker,
20 yea see. j. A. WADE
Commissioner of Agriculture and Ind.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
Keeping Dried Fruit

In connection with the discussion
in the Senate of the establishment in
various parts of the country OF large
plants for drying fruits and veSe-
tables, the great length of time which
well dried products will keep was
practically proven. During the Boer
war, in 1899, the British government
purchased large quantities of dried
fruits and vegetables to be used oy
her army. At the close of the war IT
was found that there was a great
deal that had not been used. This was
put in storage.
AT the breathing out of hostilties
in the present war the dried fruit IN
storage was investigated and the
fruits and vegetables were found to
be in exactly as good condition as
when they were first used. These dried
fruits and vegetables have formed
part of the food supply of the Brit
ish soldiers during the present war,
having kept perfectly for Is years.
Dried fruit products are easier than
canned products to transport, as their
bulk is greatly reduced. A 60-pound
case of canned tomatoes when dry.
weighs two and one-fourth pounds.
The container is less expensive, as
the only necessity is that it shall be
insect proof; paper bag or card
board box is sufficient.
Samples of dried fEuits and vege-
tables have been sent to various no.
tells and institutions in the country.
and the bulk of the testimony is tina {
the flavor of the dried products is
better than the canned and that they
are easier to keep and store.
Large plants for dying fruits and
vegetables, established in agricultural
districts. will save the waste of food
products needed at home and prepare
them to send to our soldiers and to
the allies, in the best form for trans
portation. and for storage over long
periods of time
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
Dressing Percentage

Dressing percentage on any animal is
an important factor when 1t comes to
the block. Different classes of livestock
show wide difference in the per cent
which they dress out, due to some ex-
tent to the way it is figured for differ
ent classes The dressing percentage OF
hogs varies with the individuals from
o to s. per cent, averaging rs per cent.
Sheep dress out an average of As per cent
with range of from A to Sc per cent.
Cattle and sheep have their dressing
percentages lowered by the removal OF
nide. head and feet. In the hog, these
are left on and classed as edible ma
terial. '
Needless to say. individuals in the same
ciass OF livestock vary because Of condi-
ton. amount of fill at butcherinr time.
size of head and legs, thickness Of hide
and other factors. The more flesh and
size than can be added, the greater win
be the proportional dressing percentage
ana the greater the amount Of edible
parts High dressing percentages are
the quickest way of increasing our meat
supply.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
Try the Oatmeal Way

You have always known that oatmeal
is a delicious cereal. But it is getting
warm enough now so some people are not
using it as cereal, but as they are
buying oatmeal with other substitutes
whenever they get flour, it is necessary
to use oatmeal in some form.
Do you know that oatmeal makes de-
licous buildings and other things? OF
course, it is good as a breakfast food,
but it is even better as a supper or din
ner dish. 1t makes excellent buildings.
wholesome bread and cookies. an appetiz-
ing soup for a cold day. a baked dish for
dinner in place of meat
To cook oatmeal, stir slowly two and
one-half cups of rolled oats into five cups
of boiling water. which has in it two
and one-half teaspoons of salt. Cook for
one hour or over night in double boiler
or fireless cooker. This will serve Ave
people. If you want it for two meals
cook twice the amount to save time and
fuel
Oatmeal Pudding-Try one when you
have light dinner or supper Oatmeal
Betty or brown pudding:
Two cups cooked oatmeal, four apples
cut up small half cup raisins half cup
sugar, one-quarter teaspoon cinnamon,
two cups cooked oatmeal, half cup mo-
lasses, half cup raisins.
MIX anu udhe LOT uut-ndII lOuT, serve
hot or cold. Any dried or fresh fruits,
dates or ground peanuts may be used in
stead of apples. Either viii serve five
people.
Scotch Soup-With bread and dessert
it is enough for lunch or supper. Two
and half quarts water, one and a
quarter cups rolled oats, FIVE potatoes
cut in small pieces. two onions, sliced
two tablespoons flour, two tablespoons
fat Boil the water and ad the oat-
meal, potato and onion, half Tablespoon
of salt and half teaspoon pepper Cool,
for one-half hour. Brown the flour with
fat and add to the soup. Cook until
thick. One cup of tomato adds to the
flavor. Serves five people,
Scotch Dat Crackers Especially crisr
and good as wei as cheap. Two cup:
rolled oats, one-fourth cup milk, one
fourth cup molasses, one and one-hali
tablespoons fat, one-quarter teaspoon
soda, one teaspoon salt Grind or crust
the oats and mix with the other mate
rails. Roll out in thin sheet ane
cut in squares Bake for 20 minutes ir
moderate oven. Makes three dozer
crackers.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
AMONG LIVE STOCK MARKETS

serious complaints now see the market
on a more profitable basis. Although
the advice to producers was to turn out
medium grade of beef and many thou
sands did that. we now see long finished
weighty cattle going at a hot pace. The
heavy end of the gain in prices has
been on good steers.
Another reason for heavy suppaes III
the west central states is due tn NSe
fact that the south has been liberal
contributor of beef The most interest
ing feature in this connection has been
the quality of meat produced by states
below the Mason-Dixon line. 1t is now
hard to distinguish between choice prime
fed Illinois, Missouri and Iowa steers
and the steers now coming from
southeastern safes. Well-bred long fin
ished cattle are now topping the market,
whereas in previous years the common
Gamers hardly able to stand the trip
we're pushed into the cars and sent TO
killing centers
TEXAS HAS SUFFERED
Texas in the past three years has suf-
fred untold Aardships from droutcs
The writer had the opportunity to visit
several ranches of the Lone Star state
recently. The steer scarcity in parts oil
Texas is appalling. On pastures where
thousands of cattle could have been seen
a couple OF years ago are now pracucal-
~ barren. Hundreds of cattle raisers
readily conceded a serious result IL they
fail to get rain this season
In tho range territory OF Oklahoma
will be found quite good army of the
drouth-stricken cattle and we also find
many cattle which originated in Texas
in the southeastern states. 1t was well
for Texas that at those sections had
the grass and feed to handle their cat
tie, but it is also an evident fact that
that state is growing shorter and shorter
as the drouth continues. The famed cat
tie territory will no longer maintain its
name if conditions do not improve. Local
markets depended upon that state for q
good many cattle. but it now appears
as though they will have to seek new
timber. The demand is greater than ever
| and it is up to other states to furnish
the beef. A shortage is naturally going
to be felt in the future and more keen
| ly so during the present war. The ole
story of supply and demand may again
/ be brought into play and nothing but
prosperity appears to be ahead of the
producer in territory tributary to the
! local market.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
TOE MARKS IDENTIFY CHICKS
RAISE OWN FOOD AND FEED

authorities In important war poll
cies may be carried out and that the
national defense may be strengthened.
FOOD GREATEST NECESSITY
Food is the greatest necessity, the
sneakers are telling the farmers of the
south and an ample supply of food
should not be jeopardized for the sake
of cotton. the great money crop OF
the south. After the living for the
people on the farms and in the towns
and cities has been amply provided Tor
the farmers are advised to place such
acreage in cotton as the intensive APP
plication of labor will permit, remem-
bering always that food can be eaten
and cotton cannot. In new boil wee
vii territory no increase in acrea ge
is advised. and farmers are urged not
to allow the high price of cotton to
tempt them away from the safe farm
ing" programme of we'll balanced pro-
duction.
INCREASE ALL FOOD CROPS
Following are items in the produce
ton programme for the SOUTH:
Home gardens throughout the coun-
/ try villages, towns and cities in each
southern state; more corn for live
stock and for human beings: MOI Q
peanuts and soy beans because of their
value for vegetable oils. food for hui
man beings. and the by-product for
feed and forage for live stock; more
velvet beans for feed and forage; more
edible peas and beans. especially cow
peas; more hay and other forage; more
sugar and strip; more hogs and pou,-
try and the early setting of hens to
increase productions; more dairy prod
ucts through the preservation OF al!
productive animals and the most in
tensive scientific feed: maximum pro-
duction OF beef. specially for local use.
! through proper feed and the preserva-
ton of breeding stock and fun use OF
pastruse and all roughage.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
Where Dreams Come True

On tho farm pages OF this ISSUE, =. ~
Cox of Birmingham is advertising ms
famous Gulfport, Miss. acreage. 'wnere
dreams come true" as to ideal climate
for early trucking and the raising Oh
Satsuma oranges. pecans and poultry
The Mississippi coast country escapes
late frosts in the spring and early frosts
in the fall, and Mr.. Cox claims truckers
on small acreage tracts get the cream OF
high prices every year. clearing from 500
to $500 per acre. His literature is inter-
esting.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18

Leading agricultural speakers are
carving to the farmers of the south
a message that the United States de-
partment of agriculture describes as
vital and of supreme Importance IN
enabling this country to win the war
Their message is this: "a reduced
food production in the south at this
time would be national disaster.
Food for the south. produced in the
south, is vital item of national de-
tense. The south must feed itself"
SPEAKERS IN CAMPAIGN
Prof. w. r. Dodson, dean of the
College of Agriculture and director OF
the experiment station in LOUISIANA
has been called to Washington TO
take charge of the food production
campaign, under the direction OF we
office of extension work in the south
Professor Dodson, in addition to SUI
pervising the campaign. is one of the
sneakers travelling through the south
ern states. other we'll known men
who are carrying the war message 20
the farmers of the south are DIR. Tait
Butler, editor of the Progressive
Farmer; Dr. Clarence Poe, of the Fro
gressive Farmer; Clarendon Davis, OF
Huntsville: Thomas Cooper, dean OF
the Kentucky College of Agriculture.
Lexington, KY; p. P. Garner, Mis-
s.ssippi commissioner of agriculture;
Clarence Ousley, assistant secretary OF
the United States department of asii-
culture; Bradford Knapp. chief, ana
]. A. Evans. assistant chief. of the OIL
flee of extension work in the sou.n-
This southern food production CAM
paign has been organized by the uni-
ted States department of agriculture
in cooperation with the state agrl-
cultural colleges and other state
agencies to bring home to the farm
ers of the south that If the south
should reduce it's food production this
year and therefore draw more heav-
lily on the north. there is a possible
ity that it might be fatal to tho
cause Of this country in this war. The
speakers are pointing out that. IN adj
dition to feeding our own people and
armies it is necessary that we FUR
nish a part of the food for the civil
population and for the armies of Eng
land. France and Italy.
TO ROUSE FARMERS
These are the main objects Of the
campaign: M
/. TO awaken the farmers Of the
south to the necessity of the war by
work and endeavor to intensity tnei-,
efforts.
3. To explain and emphasize the
critical condition in which the south
finds itself today and the great me-
cessity for each state producing its
own food and feed as necessary
measure of sen- defense and national
defense.
5. TO carry home the programme
outlined by the United States depart
ment OF Agriculture and the state
AGRICULTURAL institutions for the full
est possible agricultural efficiency ia
food production this year.
MUST PRODUCE OWN NEAT
The major message of the speakers.
which is that s"rhe south must produce
it's own food and feed is based on
these necessities:
i. That there may be no serious
privation at home.
2. That no additional burden may be
placed on TRANSPORTATION.
;. That military movements may
have first consideration.
I. That surpluses grown elsewhere
may be used for necessary Industrial
ana military purposes.
y That tho Wishes of government
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
HOMEMADE sTRIPPER

The commercial production of crimson
clover seed in this country is somewhat
handicapped by frequent untimely rains
which occur after the crop is cut and
before the services of a huller can be OBJ
tanned. A considerable acreage in a
given locality is required to justify the
presence of huller Where the acreage
is not sufficient to warrant the purchase
of a huller, stripper should be en-
ployed as it can be made on the farm
from readily available material at the
expenditure of few dollars, thus max
ing it possible for anyone with a GRIM
son clover field to obtain seed for re-
seeding purposes.
A homemade device for gathering
crimson clover seed. which the farmer
may make and use with a small outlay
of time and money, is described in Farm
ers' Bulletin 6i6 which may be had free
OF charge by applicants from the depart
ment of agriculture, Washington, D. G.
This device has given excellent success
in the localities where it has been used
the past three years. 1t is, therefore,
strongly recommended that it be used in
all sections where clover hullers are not
found.
1t is necessary that tho seed be fully
ripe in order to strip easily, and it is also
desirable that the ground be given level
tilage in order to facilitate the opera
ton OF the stripper.
Too much emphasis cannot be laid on
the Importance to the individual farmer
throughout the middle Atlantic and
southern states of the seeding Of largely
increased acreages Of crimson clover or
similar winter legume cover crops.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18

Peanut butter. one cup molasses.
one fourth cup sour milk, one-half
teaspoon soda. one teaspoon baking
powder. three and one-half cups rye
flour or flour to make q stiff dough.
Mix the ingredients in the order in
which they are given. Shape the
cookies with small cutter and bake
them in : moderate Owes
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
To Clean Patent Leather

To clean patent leather, rub it with a
little milk or a little vaseline very spar
ingly worked into the leather. OF course
YOU must use only a little vaseline 50
that there will be no appearance Of
greasiness Very duh patent leather can
be frightened by rubbing it with turpen-
tine on a soft CLOTH
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
Soap From grease

save every tiny bit of waste grease
that can't be made clean and sweet
enough for cooking purposes and make If
into soap to use in the laundry.
Use the directions on a can Of I've
apart from the few white bars of soan
TO- line laundry work and dish washing
you VIII have enough soap for use and
mat means the saving of several dollars
year; besides, the soap keeps the
ciothes much winter than the cheaper
soaps generally used for laundry work
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18

When washing stained goods be care
fu. not to dip them in hot suds until
they have been treated for the stained
spots and washed in clear water.
All spots or stains that are uncertain
should be rubbed with pure kerosene.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18

After the Matching season, cook, sell, or
pen your rooster. Hens not running with
a male bird will produce infertile eggs
quality eggs that keep best and market
best Fertile eggs soon spoil for food
and market in summer heat. just as they
do under the setting hen or in the in
cubator. Egg production is equally great
in flocks from which roosters are ex
cluded.
Forty-five million dollars every year Is
the estimated loss from improper meth
DDS of producing and handling eggs
according to specialists of the United
States department of agriculture. About
one-third of this loss is due to partial
Matching of fertile eggs which have been
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18

allowed to become warm enough to in
cubate, and is preventable. Production of
infertile eggs is the remedy.
AN INFERTILE EGG
An infertile egg is one that is laid by
a hen that has not been allowed to run
with a male bird. In most cases IA
days is long enough to wait for the eggs
to become infertile after the male bird
is removed from the females. The male
bird in the flock has no influence on the
number of eggs the hens lay. He merely
ertilizes the germ of the egg, which is
not necessary when the egg is to be sent
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18

to market or used for table purposes. 1t
is impossible to hatch an infertile egg,
or to cause a blood ring to form in one.
Infertile eggs keep in good condition in
temperatures that will cause fertile eggs
to rot.
A FERTILE EGG
A fertile egg is just the opposite of the
infertile one in many respects. 1t is the
egg that is produced from hens that are
running with male birds, although oc-
casionally there are hens running with
male birds that lay infertile eggs. This
is often the case with hens that are con-
fined in yards and runs, and birds that
do not have green feed. or those that
are overfat. The fertile egg should only
be produced during the breeding season.
The fertile egg is the one from which
the chick is Matched. and that spoils
quickly when subjected to the ordinary
methods of handling on the farm and
when marketed in the hot summer
months.
LET CHICKS RANGE
1t is best to confine the mother hens
until the chicks are weaned. The mother
hen that is allowed to range unrestricted
with her chicks frequently takes her
brood through wet grass and as a result
some are chilled and die. especially the
weaker ones which are liable to be lett
behind The loss of young chicks which
follow such practice is large and mainly
preventable.
Any style Of coop which is dry. ven
tilated and can be closed at night 70
protect the brood against cats. rats and
other destroyers, may be used
TOE MARKS IDENTIFY CHICKS
Poultry raisers frequently make the
mistake of keeping old hens on their
farms and killing the younger hens and
bullets because they are unable to dis
tinguish them after the pullets have ma
tured. Marking the chicks when they
are young with a toe punch will help to
avoid this and will enable the poultry
man to determine readily the age and
breeding and to Keep any otner RECORDS
desired The chicks should be marked
before they are transferred to the brooder
o. brood coops The accompanying di-
agram shows 16 different marks that may
be used.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18

and as there will undoubtedly be a good
demand for unhulled seed. it will not be
necessary to thresh the crop in all cases.
However, hulled seed is more desirable
than seed in the hull, as it may be
handled and sown with less difficulty
The handicaps under which crimson
clover seed production in this country has
labored have necesstated the importa-
ton of much of the seed that is annually
sown. This is especially true in the
south, where few clover hullers are