The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-03
ALLGOOD APPEALS ID PLANTERS FOR
 DIVERSIFIED CROPS
Biennial Report Insists That Farmers Should Raise Cot ton Only When Demand
 for Food Supplied
Fly FRED H. GoRMLEY Montgomery Bureau, The ge-HeraId, 22I-2 First National Bank Building


 Montgomery, April 2.-(Special) )--Wita boil weevil infestation now problem ia every county of Alabama, agricultural ists during the last two years turned their efforts more and more toward 'di- yersfied crops, according to the biennial report of Nj. C.. Allgood, state commis- sioner of agriculture, which was sub mitted to Governor Kilby this weeE. Commissioner Allgood pointed out that Alabama lands have been surveyed and the different soils established in all counties with the exception of three, leading all states in the union in this work
 ,Crenshaw and Choctaw counties are being surveyed at this time. said the report. When these are finished only three counties, Coosa, Winston and Franklin, remain to be surveyed. Some time this summer samples of our main types of soils will be secured and an aiyzed and a bulletin issued by the de- partment treating upon soils, their adaptability to certain crops, response to fertilizer, etc a ..SatsunaS oranges and pecan indus7 ties have made great progress inathis state in the past two years. The sweet potato Industry is assuming an impor- tant place in our system of agriculture. The state should have many more po-
 
 BOIL WEEYIL ACTIVE
 we have encouraged farmers to buy fertilizer materials and mix their own fertilizers. In many instances we have enabled them to secure the material at a very low cost. Twenty-Five thousand dollars of the funds of this department derived from the sale of fertilizer tags is used annually to assist in, carrying on demonstration work which is being done by the county agents in the several counrles of the state
 "Boll weevii infestation covers the en- tire state In addition to this, the past two years were very unfavorabie for cotton in Alabama being cold and wet In 1914 our production was 1,750.00O bales, in 1919 our production was 715,O0 bales, and in 1920 our production was 66o 0D bales. In 1919 prices for farm products were good and there was general pros perity throughout the state. In the spring of 1920 prices not only of farm products but of all requirements for farm operations were at the highest prices since the war. However, before farmers could gather and sell their crops prices had gone all to pieces and there was a stagnant market Consum CTS refused to buy, merchants; cancelled contracts that had been placed for goods with manufacturers, manufactur- CTS in turn refused to buy raw products and for many months business was prac- tically at StandStill.
 Excessive freight and express rates have almost acted as a blockade against movements of certain farm products. Farmers throughout the state seemed to be at a loss as to how to proceed further for another year; however, there seems to be general determination to produce the actual necessities for life as far as possible on the farms and to buy just As little as they can make out with.
 APPEALS TO DIVERSITY
 sWhen the farmers of Alabama put in pastures and grow all the horses and mules, hogs cattle. sheep and goats that it is possible to grow in the state and feed for their consumption; when they grow velvet beans, soy beans, peanuts, peas a.nt. clovers their cultivated lands at least every third year: when they ter race the lands to keep them from wash ing; when they produce all the fruits and canned goods, vegetables, chickens, eggs. butter and milk that they consume and can sell to the people in the cities of our state; then, after this has been done, produce what cotton they can, then will there be a wholesome prosperity throughout Alabama"
 Attached to the biennial report were reports of the various branches of the work. including the division of foods.