The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-16
SOUTH PROSPERS AS NEVER BEFORE1


Before the war the south annually imported about $500. .000, 900 worth of corn, hay, grains. mixed feed, flour. meat and meat products. dairy pro- duets, poultry and poultry products and canned goods. The emergency work of the United States department of agriculture has emphasized inten- siye home production with the result that 15 southern states produced 131,- 7S7.000 bushels more corn in 1918 than they harvested in 1909. The II states comprising the cotton belt produced 135 per cent more wheat in 1918 than in 1909. These same states during the same period increased their oat crop 133 per cent, their hay yield 12S per cent, Irish potatoes 117 per cent, and sweet potatoes 67 per cent.
 A NEW DIXIELAND
 The agricultural south is today as different from the Dixieland of 1910 as the industrious and experienced hands of skilled agricultural workers can make it. A near miracle has been per formed. Thousands of acres that were running wild in weeds and filth are now productive of profitable crops of corn wheat. oats. hay. cotton, tobac- co, potatoes, vegetables and truck crops. Sections that formerly had never exported a carload of cattle, hogs or sheep are now extensive pro- ducers of mutton, beef. pork, wool and dairy products. Families which for merly lived a drear life of meager ex- istence are now not only enjoying plen- ty of the staples but also many of the luxuries of country life
 How was that revolution effected? How was a mirage transformed into an actuality in the southland? The war presented the opportunity for refor- nation along agricultural lines due to the unlimited demand on the American food storehouses. The second reason is because the United States depart ment of agriculture and the state ag- ricultural colleges, through the me- dium of 1539 county agents, located in 15 states. from Texas to Oklahoma and from Florida to Maryland, have been steadily urging farmers to in crease crop production, to practice bet ter farming methods. to maintain mors livestock. and to produce in the south the majority of what food the south annually conSumes. utilizing cotton as the leading surplus cash crop.
 OLD PRACTICES CHANGED
 Heretofore the south has been the Eden of the one-mule one-negro cot ton farming corporation. The negro farmers have raised cotton largely to the exclusion of all other money crops They have about faced" and converted their cotton money into importe beans bacon and bread at the local supply stores. In view of this preva- lent and traditional practice of buying instead of raising the bulk of food, the United States department of agricul- ture operated under severe handicap when it began food work south of the Mason and Dixon line.
 Great credit is given to the county agents. who have not only shown southern farmers in 15 states how 60 raise and produce vegetables, truck crops and meat products, but have been successful in getting the farmers
 10 raise such products on large scale, Despite the fact that the record price for cotton has operated against the popularity of other crops the av- craze farmer backed up the food pro- gramme. Southern farmers and towns men raised plenty of potatoes as well as sorghum for syrup in their home gardens. The farmers increased their production of small grains corn. hay, peanuts. velvet beans, soy beans. cow peas, as well as meat. milk and eggs ALABAMA'S BIG GAINS increased it's production of potatoes 6S per cent; cotton. 30 per cent; hay. I2 per cent; oats, per cent, hogs, 21 per cent sheep. 19 per cent, and sweet potatoes, per cent, over the yields of 1917.
 The south has been a heavy buyer of