The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-12
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
ALABAMA cITRoN,


 The entire state should be proud of The Age-Herald as a potent force in the upbuiiding of the state. Though notAan agricultural paper. this great daily continually points the way to successful farming, and the successful marketing of farm products.
 We are too prone to pour out shekels for the diamonds advertised l by the other fellow, while we unprofi- tably await the coming of some one else to discover "the diamonds in our own back yard" However, let us not wait for an outsider to suggest that instead of shipping watermelons as ;'raw material we "can" the pre- served rind for more stable mar ket. The rind can be peeled and cut into shape and put up in brine and made into citron any time during the winter. With Mrs. Betty Lyle Will sons receipt, the Girls Canning clubs | can make of watermelon rinds a most delicious conserve. which keeps indefinitely and could thus be placed 1 on the market in accordance with supply and demand" For instance,
 this nome made citron could be l offered very advantageousiy just prior to the Christmas holidays. when every one's mouth is watering for l fruit cake. Whether the cake is to be dark or light, citron is the most essential ingredient and any one can | tell you that the "home made" citron | Is far superior to that now on the | market.
 | Balzac's Country Doctor" knew that affluence and thrift go hand in hand in the upbuilding of communi- 1 ties when the home manufactured ar- ticle finds ready distdibution in the home markets. Even without the ! wizardy of a Paulhamus advertiser, Alabama cltron should find a speedy introduction to the public if our pa- triotic societies and fraternal organ izations will only cooperate with the Girls Canning clubs.
 Let the Woman's clubs place crys- tallized citron on their menu cards, and call for citron at the hotels, and all places where public meals are served, until the fame of Alabama l citron goes abroad and our water melon rinds become as famous in the foreign marts of trade as Alabama steel and iron. Perhaps before an- other season closes Mr.. Johnston will devote a whole For Good of the Community column just to the sub ject of citron. I am sure he will, if he is as enthusiastic about "citron like our grandmothers used to make" as Is Judge Tom Mcclellan of Mont gomery. And won't some one please pass a bowl of citron to Dr. Frank Willis Barnett. whose enthusiasm Is always contagious.
 From the Stokely Brothers one gets a suggestion of what disposal to make of the pulp as y-product-feed the pulp to poultry and reap harvest of delicious favored eggs.
 During the forthcoming State Fair would be an excellent time to launch the Alabama citron campaign. getting the clubs to pledge their cooperation for another season. and getting all patriotic citizens to promise their support to the upbuilding of this home industry.
 Can't you prevail on Dolly" to in- terview some of the leading demon. strators to know if they think this a chimerical dream or a suggestion of practical value?
 MAYA PETTus.
 Athens, Ala, September 9. 1910.
 
 OUR NEW COMMISSIONERS To the Editor ofSThe Age-Herald:
 When We get Our new commission CTS I trust some thought will be given to better service in the department that looks after the garbage.
 Memphis, Savannah and other cities have realized the benefit to the health of their people from keeping their towns free from decomposing matter that sends itsrfumes into the air for from 100 to TO hours every week. with heavy sun beating upon 1t, in our long. hot summers.
 If every one managed their refuse like I have mine done. two earrings @ week would do.
 First, burn all materials that won't make odors; next put all liquids or semi-liquids into the bathroom sewage; put bones aside for some one who sells to soap factories wrap feathers heavily in paper before put ting into can; bury the uncookable parts of chicken meats, to enrich some tree or vine. Have two small cans, washing and airing them alter nately Have barrel for cans and yard cieanings that won't burn. with cover that extends several inches all around to keep rain out. Keeping cans dry is the best safeguard. | know it isn't the pleasantest part of Housekeeping to look after these things. but is the safest and most far reaching.
 know Birmingham's strong point is to keep the cans tightly covered" secrete our offal and believe it isn't there, and think about pleasanter things. But the work of deeomposi- ton goes on. regardless of our blind ness, leaves the cans almost unclean- able. What proportion of the time are the cans tightly closed?' Do the men or the city know or think