The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
Fine Breeds Of Fowls And Other Live Stock To Take Place Of Scrubs Of Former Times

Increased membership for all county organizations, a monthly bull letin in the interest of the Jefferson County Truckers association, stimu- lation of interest among the boys and girls in the work of the poultry as- sociation, and the increasein Four Ii clubs to It or more, are the most important of the projects outlined for next year by the Jefferson coun- ty farm and home agents.
 Several demonstrations in terrac- ing work have already been given by these agents, and this will be contin- ued and increased next year, ac- cording to the annual report of County Agent J. C. Lowery Many additional fields will be terraced and a general soil oil-improvement program undertaken. It is planned to have 10 cover crop demonstrations, 10 sum mer legume demonstrations, and 20 demonstrations showing the work ot the terracing experts. No dates for these have yet been decided upon, but it Is known they will be held at regu- lar intervals in various parts of the county.
 Although cotton is a minor crop in Jefferson county, the land being too valuable for it's production. con- siderable attention will be given to it's growth, and farmers wishing as sistance will receive the co-Qperat1on of the county agents and the united States department of agrlculttre. Among the special work to be done for the benefit of cotton farmers, perhaps the most important will be the fertilizer and spacing demon- strations and guidance in the com trol of the boil weevil. Several tests on fodder pulling" will be conduct ed next fall in the interest of corn farmers, and three or more demon strations will be given in the proper growing of corn.
 A total of 51 demonstrations will be given for the benefit of tr' growers, who compose the largest percentage of Jefferson county farmers. Special attention will be given to the problems of insect con- l troi, fertilization and plant disease prevention Several experiments will be conducted to test plans in use Tn other sections of the country as 10 their adaptabtlity to local conditions. It is planned to hold four demon- strations in controlling pickle worm 10 in the control of the Mexican bean beetle. six to combat turnip and cab bage lice, six for the control or the cabbage worm. and five for the con trol of the firebug or harlequin. III addition to these, there Will De ~
 
 various combinations of fertilizers In the cultivation of leading truch crops. and 10 other demonstrations of 8 miscellaneous nature arranged from time to time dcring the year as occasion may arise.
 Next years program for co-opera- ton with poultry raisers will be car ried out for the most part through the two poultry associations already organized, the Jefferson County Poul- try association and the Bessemer Poultry association of the Bessemer Chamber of Commerce. Boys ana girls have manifested an unusually keen interest in this work, and it will be emphasized in their club work. Three demonstration poultry farms will be attempted during the year. according to the recommendation or J. D. Ivey. poultry specialist, ana II sufficient interest is shown, more or this work will be undertaken.
 Much of the credit for this in creased interest in poultry among Jefferson county farmers Is given In the report to the two poultry asso7 citations already mentioned. All over the county new poultry houses are being erected, according to the most recently developed plans, and 1t IS planned to save within the next few years large percentage of the mil lion dollars sent out Of the county every year for chickens, eggs, tur- keys and other poultry needed to supply the local demand. There is a decided tendency toward the elimi- nation of so-called scrub" fowl and substitution of the best breeds. AS a result. the average per-bird value is considerably higher than in most of the other counties of the state. It is predicted that within short time, if the present rate of increase continues the county agents will find the poultry industry requiring as much or more tof their time as any other phase of county demonstration work. The great interest shown in