The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-27
CORN AND COTTON
LATE AND FARMING
DELAYED BY RAIN
Varying Conditions Found In
South AIabama-Irish
Potatoes Short
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU |
THE AGE-HERALD
M0nt1np,sry AIa Ma, ga

Following a trip o. two weeks over
the southern counties Of Alabama.
including the black belt, F. w Gist,
agricultural statistician, reports that
the two main crops of corn and cot
ton are quite small in size and other
wise show the effect of unfavorable
weather. South of the black belt"
says Mr.. Gist, where white farmers
predominant, fields are clean, indi-
eating that the farmers have worked
every day between rains. In the
western portion of the black belt
work Is fairly well up; but in the
central and eastern black belt coun-
ties crops are badly in the grass.
| In this latter section much cotton
remains yet to be chopped, while in
most other southern counties 1t is
further along toward being chopped.
| In southeastern counties chopping Is
| practically completed. Corn is smaller
| In proportion to normal than cotton
and in the black belt much Of 1t has
sfckly appearance, indicating lack
of air and work.
The only thing which is permis-
sible to be said concerning acreage
at this time is that cotton was seen
growing in vacant town lots, back
yards, gardens, orchards, and on rail-
road right of way. Even In the city
of Selma where metropolitan airs are
wont to be observed. one large vacant
lot in the heart Of the city was seen
growing to the fleecy staple. Feed
dealers in southern counties are get
ting ready to handle a large volume
of corn and hay-from the outside.
Too Much Rain.
Complaint Is heard from every
section Of too much rain. though in
the sandy lands 1t was noticed that
farmers were working between
showers. Labor is said to be scarce.
and II probably Is, but what remains
is busy with plow and hoe. Some
hay Is being cut in western counties
from Johnson grass and alfalfa, while
in extreme southern counties little
Dealers there are now importing
timothy from the outside.
Some farmers are sticking to pea
nuts in a smaller way for market,
while most of the corn fields have
their usual interplanting of beans
and peanuts. In the black belt farm
ers have reverted to the old system
one-tenth of the field being devoted
to corn at regular intervals.
Sugar cane is coming up in the
southern counties. and most farms
have the usual small patch Sweet
potatoes are seen on about the same
scale. though very few large patches
appear to be growing for commercial
purposes.
Irish potatoes are moving from
the usual areas. though in much re-
duced volume. the acreage for COM
mecial purposes being reduced to less
than half of last season.
Doubtful Of satsdmas.
I'm Mobile and Baldwin counties
satsumas appear to be In mixed con-
ditions. Some orchards are blooming
heavily. while others appear to be
setting fruit lightly. No growers
would attempt to estimate the crop
at this time. New trees are Just
coming into bearing as far north as
Atmore, from where 1t is expected
there will be some movement this
season.
Strawberries are about exhausted
in Escambia and Conecuh counties.
while in Sumter picking has been
abandoned on account of unattractive
prices.
"A few reports of weevil appearance
have been had, though not In such
large numbers as last season. There
are probably enough alive, however,
to prove seriously damaging with wet
weather in June and July.
Altogether at this time farmers
are going through their annual ex-
perience Of working every possible
hour and trusting to favorable sea-
sons to return them a profit There
is the usual number of pessimists and
optimists. with the former slightly
in the lead In amount of noise il not