The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-06
7SVIEETHEARTS'OFI GREAT STRIDES IN
ALABAMA NOT To TUSCALOOSA AREA
|bE SHIPPED AWAY MADE BY SCOUTS
AIabama''S Delicious Melons
Will Go To Consumption Ct
State Markets
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU !
THE AGE-HERALD
Montgomery Ala Nav X

Alabama farmers 40 not intend to
plant watermelons for the foreign
markets this year. f. w. Gist, fed
eral agricultural statistician, in his
weekly statement Saturday said in
dications are that the acreage this
year will be less than half IL tho
acreage last year and that Alabama
melons this year will be confined
largely to the Alabama markets.
Mr.. Gist did not indicate the cause
but it is known that the crop
proved a financial failure last year
du-, principally, to the high freight
rates which the producers were
forced to bear before their COM
modify could be placed In the for
eign markets. The Alabama Farm
Bureau Watermelon association
placed the melons on the market
under the name of the Alabama
Sweetheart" and many carloads were
shipped but the profit was taken by
the transportation companies and not
by the farmers.
The statement showed that farm
work was retarded during the week
because of rain in practically all
sections. However, South Alabama
reports indicated that the crops are
up to good stand and are grow
ing. North Alabama made a pessi-
mistic report, saying that planting
have re ched a growing stage.
Planting Delayed.
Mr.. Gist's weekly statement fol-
lows:
More rain in Alabama the past
in 1y1N oil fttrt Il
retarded farm work. Reports from
South Alabama are to the effect that
crops are up to good stand and
growing. North Alabama, on the
contrary. is delayed in planting and
very little stuff has assumed grow
ing proportions.
Indications are that the water
melon area in the southern part of
the state will be less than that Of
last year some sections having left
melons out of their program. Ala
bama melons this year may be con-
fined largely to Alabama consump-
ton.
The demand for hay is reported
active in southern sections. but pas
lures are getting fine. With good
weather during the haying season
there will probably be cons derable
activity / the grass belt as we'll as
the saving of leguminous hays in
other sections.
Others Have Troubles.
"Other sections of the country have
their farm labor troubles as we'll as
the south. A survey on the move
ment to and from. the farms recently
made shows that during he three
years following January :. 1920, the
farming population of the United
States lost 1.5 per cent net by the
removals from farms to cities and by
deaths. The rains were 30 per cent
by births and 2.S per cent from cities
and towns. The losses were OS per
cent and Ga by removal to cities
and towns. Net losses ere heaviest
in the mountain states, with 3.S per
cent: next heaviest in the pacific
states with SO; and next il. the south
Atlantic states with 2.5 per cent
The least losses o CURED in the east
south central group, which includes
Alabama, where the net loss was
only or per cent; the ne. lightest
being the middle Atlantic with 08
per cent. The exodus of negroes al
ready reported upon will add to the
losses from the south when the pres
ent year is measured. t Is esti-
mated that $4,000 people moved from
cities to the farms while 2,00O,0 900
moved FRI the farms to cities. The
net loss from farms amounted to
100000 persons. According to this
survey 1854, 900 persons now live on
farms in the three southern groups
of states, which is considerably over
half the farming population of the
United States" ~