The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-28
MEN, WO M FEN
 AND T H IN c s

"Did you know that there were fewer cattle on the farms and ranches of the United States Sn January 1 of this year than at any time since January 1, 1917?
 This is not an idle statement but is fathered by Uncle Sam. This being true, and knowing the conditions in Alabama in spite of the low price which cattle are bringing am urging my friends in the game not to quit.
 For those who are practical cattlemen now is the time to recoup any losses which they may have sustained during the past year. It takes courage to face a situation which is fraught with many difficulties, but for the man who knows and has the grit there will be reward
 But we should adopt here in this state new policy with reference to livestock raising and plans should be made for permanent establish ment of stock raising part of our agricul- tural system both for the sake of the land and the profit which may accrue from the industry itself It should not be left it is at present on most farms as negligible side line.
 There is no excuse for farmers of intelli- gence and stckability to longer turn their backs upon stock raising in Alabama as government statistic have shown that nowhere in the whole United States can cattle be raised as cheaply as in our own favored state. The three principal points in the program for live stock development are; better pastures, better feeding and better breeding.
 There are many agencies at work to help any farmer who wishes to get into cattle raising. The government at Washington is ready to as- sist, the state is anxious to serve, the experts at Auburn are on call, railroads show desire 4z the lookout to help, bankers are ready to get in behind the movement, and the fairs are offer ing not only blue ribbons but handsome cash prizes.
 I wish at present, however, to magnify the work of the county agent, most potent influ- ence in rural life today in Alabama. As matter of fact, these men only teachers in the biggest school in America, which is being conducted by the United States department of agriculture. The students in the great national university for service embrace men, women and children of almost every class and creed.
 For long time efforts to improve the cattle and farming interests was downward process, the national government assisting the state au- thorites, they in turn standing behind the county agent, who helped to develop the com munity organizations. The push was from above but I am hoping to see it come from be- low, for when the community gets under the county agent and he lifts the state workers they will have to make the government men extend their operations to care for the ever increasing load.
 If your community is not fully organized hope some enterprising men and women will get busy and see to it that they are in line to reap the rich rewards which can be had when a proper community spirit is aroused. This is why I am so strong for "community fairs"
 simply took up the cattle end of the agri- cultural and community problem for I am alarmed at the decrease of cattle during the past year, and while am in hearty favor of pig clubs think calf clubs should be pushed equally as strong, for unless the cattle raisers come to the rescue there is going to be shortage of meat. This being true I hope number of our Alabama cattlemen have been feeding for the fat steer show at Nashville in December.