The Mena weekly star., 1919-05-22
ALFALFA, FISH AND VARIETY OF ROADS
Representative of The Star Relates Some of the Things He Saw in Eastern Polk County--Where
 Language Is Inadequate.

A view of field of rsal alfalfa and a ride over a genuine, honest-to-good- ness graded country road were two of the pleasant impressions made upon the memory of Star representative as the result of a trip thru portions of Eastern Polk county few days ago.
 It was in the thriving Egger com munity that the field of alfalfa was seen. 1t is not large field, not
 more than two acres, but it contains a fine stand of the great legume, that is now ready for the first cutting
 The alfalfa is on the farm of J. Il. Diehl, one of Egger's best known res idents. The present. growth is the re- suit of several attempts to get the field planted to alfalfa Mir. Diehl evidently believes that if you don't succeed at first, try again. On his last attempt he secured good stand and the planting having withstood sue cessfully the great drouth of 1918, there are no fears but that it will continue to thrive.
 As it stands today beside the main travelled road, Mir. Diehl's alfalfa field is attracting much attention and the progress of the crop will be closely watched Undoubtedly it will prove valuable object lesson to many oth- CTS and it will not be surprising to find that numerous others in that section of Polk county will plant al- falfa this fall.
 The second feature of the trip that causes pleasing memories is those portions of the road between Mena and Opal that have been graded by the county's big machines purchased last fall by order of the quorum court. Not all the road has been given the final grading, but enough has been done to show that the big machines can and do make a real graded road bed. In a few places were additional grading has been done since the mi tial work the road is without question the best in Polk county. On these stretches a car can just naturally jump up and go, if it's got any go in it. When finally completed this road will undoubtedly prove one of the favorite drives in the county.
 Among the memories of the trip that are not so pleasant are those which concern the trip over the Mena- Egger road. The writer of these lines can't think of enough mean things to say about the condition of this road, but does desire to relieve his feeling by saying the Egger-Mena road is a disgrace to the fine country it tra- verses.
 A few days work and the worst of the mud holes could be repaired so the vehicles could pass without risk of life and limb and valuable proper ty.
 Wet weather has hindered farming in the eastern portion of the county and with the advent of clear days and sunshine the entire farming com munity will be as busy as the pro- verbal bee in making up for lost time. Corn looks good and in many fields cotton is showing in the row. Pastures are in fine condition and the meadows seen give promise of yield ing bumper crops of hay.
 Judging from stories one hears and from actual exhibits made of catches, the good folks living in the Egger and Opal communities ought to have plen- ay of fish to eat. Catfish, perch, trout, big frogs and cells were plenti- ful. At one home to which the Mena visitors were invited, but unfortu- nately they did not have chance to visit, they were promised all they could eat of two tuhsfnl of fish.