ALAB^ M A Copyrighted, 1912, by G. A. Park for Louisville & Nashville R. R. Co. Cullman Countp, Alabama Written for the hmnigration and Industrial Department of the Louisville y Nashville Railroad, by the Cullman Commercial Club of Cullman, Ala. CULLMAN COUNTY is located iu the north central part of the State of Ala- liania. The county is iu shape a right triangle, and contains 474,230 acres, or 741 square miles. The general surface inclination of most of the acres is toward the south and the drainage is into the Warrior River. About thirty square miles along the northern border is tributary to the Tennessee River. The divide between the two drainage systems is a comparatively narrow ridge, which lies for the most part one or two miles south of the north- ern boundary. The highest points within the area, asually aliout 1,100 feet, are found along this divide. In 1873 John G. Cullman, for whom the county was sul)sequently named, brought a few Ger- man families from Cincinnati to this area and founded the town of Cullman. Some also came direct from Germany and located in and near Cullman. In the following years this nucleus was successful in securing settlers from the more northern states. About 1S80 the people from the northwestern part of Georgia, attracted by the cheap lands, moved into this area. This immigration still con- tinues. The Georgians are from the farming class of their own state, and are noted as success- ful farmers. These three elements combined, the sturdy German, the progressive northerner and the practical Georgian, make the citizenship of Cullman County all that can be desired. It must be borne in mind that this is strictly a white county; no negro settlers are allowed. Individual holdings seldom exceed 160 acres ; in many instances only forty, or as small as twenty acres. The fields are rmfenced, stock not being allowed to run at large, and each year finds these individual holdings becoming smaller, the farmers learning that, with the more ad- vanced methods of culture, it is more profitable to utilize a smaller acreage. That is the reason why there is as much good farming land on the market in this county at this time. Cullman, the county seat, has a population of about 3,000, and is the principal distributing and shipping point for the coimty. Ten passenger trains daily stop at this station. Besides all of the commercial interests centered in Cullman, it contains a number of factories. In addition the Alabama State Odd Fellows' Home is located here, caring for orphan children and aged men and women. St. Bernard's College, the Sacred Heart Academy and the County Agricultural High School are located here. The country roads radiating from Cullman, while only dirt roads, are generally good. The county is at this time, however, preparing for an extensive system of pike roads all over the county. All except the most thinly settled sec- tions have rural delivery of mails. At one time Cullman County had 750 farmers' telephones, out of a total of 1,100 in the state. There are now more than 1,100 farmers' 'phones in the County and a proposed extension will add five or six hundred more. CLIMATE. "Climate signifies all those states and changes of atmosphere which sensibly at¥ect our organs — temperature, humidity, variation of barometric pressure, a calm state of the air or the effects of different winds, the amount of the electric ten- sion, the purity of the atmosphere or its admix- ture with more or less deleterious exhalation, and lastly, the degree of habitual transparency of the air and serenity of the sky, which has an impor- CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Ladies' Department, Cullman County Fair, 1911 tant influence not only on the organic develop- ment of plants and the ripening of fruits, but also on the feelings and the whole mental dis- position of man." — Humboldt (Cosmos, 1-313). Thus did the great traveler and scientist de- scribe an ideal climate. He could not have pic- tured the climatic advantages of Cullman County truer to nature. It is all that could be desired. In summer it is agreeably tempered by the ele- vation and proximity to the Gulf, and there are but very few days in which field labor cannot be carried on without discomfort; the nights are always cool. The growing season for most crops may be said to extend from March first to De- cember first. Fall-sown rye, oats, vetch, turnips, etc., remain green all the winter. The mean temperature extending over a period of years has been sixty-one degrees even in July and August, which are the hottest months. The total average of rainfall in this section CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA covering a period of twenty years has been about 55 inches, this being evenly distributed through- out the year, no one season receiving an excess of moisture. Throughout the summer months there are frequent and copious showers so that vegetation is always kept fresh and the crops are well watered. AGRICULTURE. The general types of agriculture prevail in this county. In the vicinity of Cullman and southwest along the railroad a considerable va- riety of field crops is grown on the majority of the farms, and there is also much attention given to all lines of trucking. In all of the townships which are not so conveniently located with re- gard to the railway, almost the entire acreage of cleared land is annually planted to cotton and corn. This difference in the methods of farm ing is not altogether due to the better market facilities of the former locality as compared with the latter, but is due in a large measure to a marked distinction in the agricultural habits of the people who occupy the respective locations. Most of the Germans and other people from the North settled near the railroad. They intro duced new crops and put into practice new meth- ods of farming, which were practically unknown to their southern neighbors. It is almost un- neces.sary to add that the general adjustment to local conditions has resulted in the abandonment of some crops and the modification of the meth- ods of raising those which were found profit- able. But the infusion of new ideas has given a diversity to the agricultural productions of this section which could not otherwise have been at- tained in the same length of time. According to the county tax assessors, returns for the year 1911 Cullman County has approx- imately 459,146 acres of land under cultivation representing a total valuation of $2,724,447, showing an increase of 351,946 acres in cultiva- tion over that made in the year 1908, and an in- crease of more than a million dollars in total valuation for the same period. The percentage of increase in both the acreage and valuation within the past ten years is astounding, yet this county, you might say, is just beginning to grow. In the eastern and western townships the cotton acreage is relatively higher than in the middle (1) (2) Residence Residence of Mr. of Mr. J. Wagner R. Rosson CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Corn grown by Mr. W. I. Hall, R. F. D. No. 1, Joppa, Ala. Yielded Hi hushels per acre Strawherries groivn by Mr. W. J. Ickes, Yuicmont, Ala. CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA part of the county. The in-oductiou for 1908 was 21,000 bales, for 1911 over 27,000 bales. TJiis increase is enormous wJicit it is considered that 27,000 bales icere raised on considerahly less gronud than ivere the 21,000 in 1908. For the past three or four years the farmers of this county have been educated in diversified farming, until the cotton acreage has been de- creased, yet more cotton ivas shipped from Cidl- man in 1911 than in many years before, grown on less than half the land formerly used for that amount. Corn is next to cotton in importance, and is growing each succeeding year, where but a few years ago 20 bushels per acre luas consid- ered a fair yield; the average in 1911 was about 50 bushels per acre, in several special instances running as high as 117 bushels per acre. Sweet potatoes is another very imiDortant crop. In 1908, 7,750 barrels were shipped from Cull- man, the net price being about $1.50 per barrel. Irish Potatoes grown by Mr. Wm. Boetcher, R. F. D. No. 1, Hanceville, Ala. Yielded at rate of 640 busliels per acre <"ULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Fruit and grain exhibit at the Alabama State Fair, Birmiiighani, tvhich took first prize of $1,000 In 1911 more than 40,000 barrels were shipped, averaging in the markets $1.85 per barrel. The quality is excellent, and considerable attention is given to the production of those varieties adapted to pai-ticialar markets; the Jersey Sweets are preferred by buyers in the northern markets, while the Dooley Yam, which is larger and softer, meets the demands of the southern markets. In addition, a second crop is invari- ably planted on this ground after the potatoes have been dug; such as winter oats, rye, etc. The soil and climatic conditions of Cullman County favor the production of those varieties that are the most sought after. As previously stated, the lands lying nearest the railroad have been settled by Germans and northern settlers. These engage in the raising of cotton, corn and grains only in a small way. The principal jiroducts on these close-in lands consist of potatoes (sweet and Irish), strawber- ries, raspberries and fruits of all descriptions. Of these the berry crop is possiblj^ the most im- CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA portant. In 1908 there was shipped from Cull- man fifty car loads, averaging something like 700 crates of 24 quarts each to the car. In 1911 there was shipped 105 cars, which brought in over $90,000. The season of 1912 we shipped 165 carloads, which sold for $123,750; this in from thirty to fifty days, early in the spring, when money is most needed. This crop, as well as all others, is being greatly im- proved from year to year, truck farmers being able to produce more berries on less acreage than when the berry industry was first introduced. The average yield per acre is about 225 crates — many reach over 400 crates per acre. The Cullman berry has an enviable reputa- tion in Detroit and other northern cities, where they have indeed become famous, so much so that the dealers from those places are always contracting for the crops in advance. Raspber- ries and grapes are also very successfully grown. Apples, pears, peaches, plums and other varie- ties of fruits flourish, and by some growers high- ly profitable returns are secured. Along the line of the railroad in this county are several other important towns, notably Vinemont, noted as a health resort. Five miles to the north of Cullman, Hanceville; ten miles to the south, Garden City, twelve miles to the south, near the southern border of this county, scattered all over the county, are thriving vil- lages and towns from five to twenty-five miles from the railroad. Rural schoolhouses and churches of all denominations are found in every section of the county in reasonably close prox- imity. Cullman Countj^ being a part of the Cum- berland Plateau, with its high elevations, is noted for its healthfulness. People coming here from the more northern states, of unsound conditions, especially asthmatics, find it highly beneficial. The winters are mild and the long summers agreeably modified by the elevation. LAND VALUES. Farming land can be had for from ten to oue liundred dollars per acre, according to location and improvements and distance from the rail- road; uncleared land suitable for farming ranges in value from five to twenty-five dollars per acre. Some ten soil types are encountered in this ('ountj% all residual, being derived chiefly from sandstones and uncalcareous shales. The aver- age depth is possibly five to six feet, rock or slate usually occurring at about that depth. The DeKalb and Hanceville soils are upland types, while the Huntington types are alluvial soils. Catholic Church at Cullman, Ala., under const rtictioii. To cost $75,000.00 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABxVMA Residence of Mr. S. J. Gi ijjin. Citlhiuiii, ^Ua. The DeKalb fine sand loam and loam are asso- ciated types, having an extensive development in this area. Both are well adajited to cotton, po- tatoes, berries and a great variety of forage crops. The loam is more desirable for general farming purposes, where corn, oats and grass may be made the principal crops. Land is rapid- ly advancing in value as the wonderful advan- tages of this county are becoming more generally known. The Cullman Commercial Club will assist all good people who come here in locating them in desirable communities. The organization will not allow under anv circumstances a statement to go out that is fictitious in any manner. We want to develop and build up what we firmly believe is one of the best counties in the state, but we in- tend to do it by honest methods. The material for this booklet has been largely gathered by this organization. All of the letters, photos of farm and garden scenes are genuine. The stock, poultry, etc., are Cullman County products. It has been the intention of the organization to place before the homeseeker the actual conditions as they exist and not a garbled story. We want everyone locating with us to be satisfied, for then he will be wanting his neighbors and friends to come and join him. l^fje ^torp of llantebiUe, Alabama By Mrs. J. H. Gillespie. Towns have destinies just as people liave, and, strange to tell, tliey are made in mncli tlie same way. The trend of a mountain or the fall of a rill may fix the destiny of a town. About thirty-eight years ago a civil engineer- ing corps veered east on top of Sand Mountain to escape tunneling heavy grades, and this evolved Hanceville. It was first called "G-ilmer." The original settler was Mr. A. S. Mai'tin. He entered eighty acres of government land. The next settler was Mr. P. H. Kinney, who was postmaster, and by order of the govern- ment the name was changed from Gilmer to Hanceville, in honor of his father, "Hance" Kinney. Judge James Holland was the next set- tler, and was the first justice of the peace, and aided a little later in the incorporation of the town. Judge Holland also performed the first marriage ceremony ever performed in the his- torj^ of the town. These pioneers were shortly followed by twenty families, most of whom are now represented by the present inhabitants of this little city. The population of the town to-day is about 750, including the outlying settlements. There are in the town, and in sight of it, six ehurclies, nineteen business houses, and a fine modern high school building, and a number of beautiful homes. The farmers are of the best class of citizens. St. Bernard College for Young Men, Cullman, Ala. 1(1 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA A iSectiou of Exhibit at CvIImnn County Fair, 1911 and most of them own their own farms. The land is very productive, growing all cereals, fruits, vegetables, cotton, sugar cane and corn in abundance. There ai'e shipped annually many ears of fruits and vegetables. Ten thousand bales of cotton are marketed at Hanceville every year, and two hundred cars of lumber, swelling to a total value of several hundred thousand dol- lars annually. The county strawberries are known all over the country as exceeding in size and excelling in flavor any found elsewhere. They are served by the best northern hotels and on the "menu cards" as "Cullman Strawberries." CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 11 /. 0. 0. F. Industrial Home for Widows, Orphans and Aged Odd Fellows, Cullman, Ala. 124 acres Steel Bridge showing stability and kind being built in the County. This bridge cost $15,000 The Sturdy Founder of Cullman, Alabama COLONEL JOHN GOTTFRIED CULLMAN was born in Bavaria, July 2, 1823, coming to America in 1865. In 1873 he located, where now stands the city of Cullman, fourteen German families and proceeded to lay out the town, which has grown to be one of the most im- portant places of its kind in the South. Under his own supervision, he brought into the state and located over one thousand people. There exists an erroneous impression to the effect that Cullman is a German town. While there are a great many Germans in and around the city of Cullman, there are a great many others. It is not a city or country of race, or church, or of politics, but is open to all good white people. Though a German by birth, Colonel Cullman used to say in his lifetime, "I live in America and I am an American." Colonel Cullman lived to see the fruition of his hopes, but passed away on Decem- ber 3, 1895. His body lies in the beautiful cemetery overlooking the ( ity which he founded. Many pages might be filled with the history of John G. Cullman, the pioneer. Chap- ter after chapter might be written recounting his many good and noble deeds, how he stood by the people whom he brought here in their early struggles, not only with advice, but, with that, more substantial, financial aid when needed. 12 Uttttxs Jfrom Cullman Count? I came to Cullman Count}', Alabama, in 1909 as su- of 12-1 acres. Had in cultivation the past season some perintendent of the Alabama Odd Fellows' Home, located 25 acres. This was filled with stumps, so that we could here. In connection with the institution we have a farm hardly consider more than half this amount of land avail- Residence of Mr. J. W. Barber, Vbiemont, Ala. Siciiiimiiig pool at Alabama Odd Felloius Home, Cullman, Ala. Cost $5,000 to hiiild 13 14 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Cotton with corn in background, farm of Mr. Frank J. Schnur, Cullman, Ala. ;il)lu for planting. We plant largely in vegetables, etc., that can be utilized in the house, and have but little to sell, other than strawberries. We are making a success of strawberries. This season promises to be a good one, and if nothing happens I ex- pect to market this year $1,000 worth of berries, in addi- tion to what we shall use at the home. We are work- ing up to twenty acres of berries eventually. I find this mountain section adapted to berry culture; in fact, everything can be raised here that is grown else- where, and many things that cannot be produced in the northern and western states. Irish and sweet potatoes are a prolific crop. My "Dooley Yams"' produced about 450 bushels to the acre on comparatively new land. Hay, corn, oats, rye, maize, kaffir corn and everything I have tried grows abundantly. I find this the most beautiful place I ever saw, and with "our large family" we have no sickness. The entire expense last year for doctor and medicines for a family of nearly 100 was but $190. There is no malaria. The summers are long, but never excessively hot. The nights are always cool and pleasant. The environments and surroundings are first class in every respect. The citi- zenship is of the best. No negroes are allowed in this county. The water (freestone) is the purest I ever saw or drank. What more could a man desire? The people CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 15 here will welcome and lend a helping hand in getting started right. The Odd Fellows considered the many advantages of Cullman County when they located their great institu- tion here, expending some $150,000 in buildings, lands, etc. Ed. B. Miller, Superintendent, Alabama Odd Fellows' Home. Cullman, Alabama, April 17, 1912. I have been a resident of Cullman County for twenty- six years, having moved from Georgia in 1885. I have made two trips to the famous West, spent one winter in Los Angeles, California, and came back to Northern Alabama, Cullman County, thoroughly satisfied with our country. Taking all things into consideration, I think we have the "garden spot" of the United States, mild climate, short winters, good health, good water in abundance, cheap lands settled by progressive white people, good schools and churches in every community. Lands, while very productive, can be made rich. We can grow any crops suited to the South; corn, cotton, small grain, all kinds of vegetables, fruits and berries are grown at a profit here. Cullman strawberries and Strawberries on Odd Fellows LLuine farm, Cullma)i, Ala. T lie pickers are the orphan children of the Home CTTLLINIAN COUNTY, ALABAMA New ground corn grown by Mr. W. T. Drake, Vinemont, Ala. Yield was 48 bushels per acre sweet potatoes are very famous, and of whitli Cullman ships large quantities each year. To good people desiring homes in the South we ex- tend a hearty welcome, and believe they would do well to see this county and investigate before locating else- where. M. L. Mason. Joppa, Ala., E. F. D. No. 1, April 7, 1912. Mr. J. W. Barber, the "Raspberry King" of Alabama, says : I left Chicago about 14 years ago on account of my health, and having heard that Yinemont, Alabama, in Cullman County, with its pure freestone water and fine climate, was just about what I was looking for for my rheumatic troubles, I came down to investigate. I was so pleased with what I heard and saw I bought 50 acres two miles north of Yinemont, and set to work build- ing my house and having part of my land cleared and planted in small fruit. It was not my intention to do general farming. 1 not only regained my health, but have made a success CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 17 Residence of Mr. J. M. Kilpatrick, Cullman, Ala. with grapes, and especially with raspberries, as it goe^ to show by my receiving the name of "Easpberry King." My grapes and berries bring the highest prices in Bir- mingham, Decatur and Cullman. I have also found the growing of sweet potatoes quite profitable, the yield be- ing fine and the flavor excelling even the famous "Jersey"' potato. I was told tliat the tame grasses and clover did not do well in this section, but have proved by my fine meadows and good crops of hay that clover, timothy and red-top do well here. Strawberries, too, have proved very profitable, and each year finds more farmers who are putting in less cotton and more strawberries. The Vinemont growers have their Strawberry Club and own their own clubhouse. *1 /itUl uj ^iiij Uiaiis near Cullman 18 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA For description of tJii--< lidd sec pages 29 and -li; It has two hotels, two sclioolhouses and three churches, and is noted for its vahiahle mineral waters and as a popular summer resort. J. W. Barber. Vinemont, Ala., April 7. 1012. (See pictures on pages 13 and 47.) I came here from Chicago, 111., some eleven years ago, principally on account of my health. I later bought forty acres of wooded land about six miles from Cull- man and erected thereon buildings and cleared the land for farming. A^Hiile not having had much experience in farming, the greater part of my life having been spent on the lakes as a captain on the great lake steamers, yet I very soon learned that there were great things to be done with the land which I had purchased with proper treatment. Some people told me that clover, for instance, would not thrive in the South. I thought differently and planted clover, which proved to be as much of a success here as I ever saw anywhere in the northern states. CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 19 I have made a success with my farm and consider that I consider it a great pleasure to call the attention of the possibilities for farming and making a success of it my countr3'men jn the cold climate of the North to this A Section of Exhibit at Cullman County Fair, 1911 are more favorable than in any of the northern states where I have lived. I also consider this the most healthful place I ever saw, the climate is unsurpassed, never too hot or too cold, the environments are all that could be desired. We have a first-class white citizenship; no negroes in this county. I can cheerfully recommend Cullman County to any afflicted with asthma, kidney troubles, gravel or similar diseases. The pure freestone water is a valuable aid, ns 1 consider it, to the betterment of health. There is ii.^ question in mind that anyone looking Southward can do no better than right here in Cullman County. Capt. J. H. Berow. Cullman, Ala., E. F. D. No. 5, April 11, 1912. Residence of Mr. A. G. Coe, Cullman, Ala. 20 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Cotton grown by Mr. N. M. Kelly, B. F. D. No. 1, Cullman, Ala. Yield 1,986 lbs. seed cotton to acre delightful Sunny South, the land of flowers and mild winters. Should it happen that any of my countrymen from Switzerland should read these lines I wish to tell them that the business people here are all right. The cost of living here is much cheaper than in the Noith. From year to year everything goes better. I had forty bushels of wheat to an acre. Corn and everything grows well and brings good money. When the farmer in the Xorth can hardly go out of his door the Southern farmer has already obtained his money from strawberries, and in July from sweet potatoes and in fall from cowpeas. There is not a month in the year when the Alabama farmer cannot make good money. This year I had five acres of sweet potatoes, six acres of corn and three acres of other vegetables. We were very well satisfied. I have also all sorts of fruits, apples, pears, grapes, peaches; in short, everything that grows in the old country. This j-ear, 1911, we made three hundred gallons of wine, and raised quite a good deal of frait and vegetables. At first everything did not go so well, as we were not experienced farmers ; the second year went better, and the third year our happiness was supreme, for we made •$800. AVe went South because the land in the far AVest was too expensive. We are glad we bouglit land here. CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 21 Residence of Mr. H. Clay Smith, Cullman, AU Residence of Mr. Joseph Schunck, R. F. D. No. 1, Cullman, Ala. CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Culloii grown by Mr. W. S. Yeancood, Logan, Ala. 1 nld and in.i.-iujlj bales per acre We bought one hundred and sixty acres three miles from Cullman. Anyone can call on me for information. I have time to do good and will greet any German with glad hand. Wenderlixg Besch. Cullman, Ala., E. F. D. No. 2, April 26, 1912. Having recently sold a part of my holdings in Cullman County, for no other reason than that I had more land than I needed, and having been requested to make a statement regarding my experience in farming in this county, I herewith submit the following absolutely true statement : For many years I had been following public works. My health failed. I bought unimproved land in Cull- man County, Alabama, on time paj-ments. There were but seven acres cleared and no buildings. This was three years ago. I have cleared 45 acres, built a house costing me $2,000, a barn costing $200, and have since bought 45 acres more adjoining. I have supported a family, paid everything, CULLI\rAX COUNTY, ALABAMA 23 and a few days ago sold 200 acres of this land, together with the improvements, for $5,000. I have made this off potatoes (sweet and Irish), corn and cotton in three years. As stated, I bought the first land on time payments. I make this statement to show what can be done in Cullman County if one works to save his money. I am now in good health, and shall build on my remaining land, and narrow my operations and live easy the bal- ance of my days. C. D. Patillo. Cullman, Ala, R. F. D. No. 4, April 3, 1912. We are delighted beyond expression and would for no price go back to the North. By correct work the land here becomes as productive as in the North, and often more than there. In winter it is not so cold, and in summer not so hot as there. All that grows in the North can be grown here, and also many other products that do not grow there. Here at Cullman strawberries and sweet potatoes are grown for shipment, and already these crops earn much money here. Ernst Pitzing. Cullman, Ala., E. F. D. No. 5, April 16, 1912. Ucsidence of Mr. F. E. !St. Joint, Cullman, Ala. CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA SorgliuiiL Cane grown by Mr. Dan Reloberg, Vinemont, Ala. I am here now six years, coming here from Wiscon- sin. It suits me very well here. There are many Ger- mans here, and also the German good-hearted feeling is at home here. I can advise every German that he should first see Cullman before he buys his home anywhere else. Otto Schwital. Vinemont, Ala., R. F. D. Xo. 2, April 2fi, 1912. I am a German-Hungarian, who emigrated in 1902 from Lovrin, Torontal. I longed to be on a farm, that being my profession, and as soon as I accumulated a few dollars I traveled hundreds of miles looking for land, but could find nothing to suit, all having some fault. Some one told me of Cullman, and I decided to come here, ar- riving with $400, and bought 40 acres of land. We have now been in Cullman for seven years and are well pleased. A dozen families from my own country have come here and all feel satisfied and all are successful. The land here is undulating at places, somewhat sandy and under- laid with loam. One who is a farmer and understands the soil and land can surely be successful here. The land CULL]\rAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 25 Residence of Mr. Thos. Roivell near Hanceville, Ala. Residence of Mr. Daniel Reliberg, Vinemont, Ala. CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Corn gruiLu by Mr. John Rehberg, Vinemont, Ala. Yield 45 bushelsper acre is very productive, and from one acre of strawberries one can make $300 or over, from sweet potatoes $100 or more. Corn produces about 40 bushels to the acre. An3'thing can be grown here; grapes and fruit grow well and everyone has good clear water. The climate can be com- pared with the best. Joiix Geabeldixger. Vinemont, Ala., R. F. D. No. 2, May 7, 1913. As I am a German and cannot write English very well, I am dictating this letter to the secretary of the Cullman Commercial Club. I formerly lived at Celina, Ohio. Came to Cullman County ten years ago. I find the climate ideal, the water of the best and the general surroundings of such a nature that I felt sure if one wanted to prosper and was willing to work, this is the place for him. I have made a suc- cess of farming. I raise everything here that I could grow in Ohio and many things that we could not grow in the colder cli- mate. Corn, oats, wheat, barley, r3'e, cotton, grasses of all sorts; fruit of all kinds, strawberries and many other tilings. I have as fine clover and timothy as I ever saw CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 27 grow anywhere; have taken prizes at every fair with my hav, also have taken many individual prizes, both at our county fairs and the state fair, for grains, fruits anu other tilings. Strawberries and sweet potatoes are two crops that we consider among our best money makers. We are now shipping berries and getting a good price for them. They will net us from $300 to $400 per acre. Sweet potatoes are prolific, averaging from one hundred bushels to the acre and netting about $2.00 per barrel. We have an established market for everything we grow. We have shipping associations to handle our products, whieli enables the man who grows but a small quantity to get the advantage of the carload rates as well as the larger grower. On some of our land we get three crops a year and we can work out of doors every month in the year. The summers are long, but never very hot; not nearly as hot as they get farther north. The winters are short and mild. The nights of the summer are always cool. You do not have to have the expensive buildings that you do in the North, either for yourself or for your stock, because it does not get so cold. Land is still cheap, but advancing in value rapidly. We do not farm so much land as we do in the North. Forty acres is a good size farm here, as we keep something growing all the year around. This county has taken first prize at the state fair for several years; in fact, ever since we began to compete. I will say it will pay you to see what can be done in Cull- man County. Joseph Schunck. Cullman, Ala., E. F. D. No. 1, May 6, 1912. (See pictures on pages 21 and 6-4.) Heard of Cullman, Ala., then I came here. Here everybody is so kind and greeted me so heartily. I bought 80 acres of land, and I began farming. In six years I was out of debt and also made many im- provements on my house and farm. The best products Residence of Mr. John Rehberg, Vinemont, Ala. CTTTJ.MAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Cotton grown by Mr. Frank Broivn, R. F. D. No. 4, Cullman, Ala. Yielded 1,825 lbs. seed cotton per acre here are strawberries, sweet potatoes, corn and cotton, and if one is energetic and will work industriously, it is not too much to say he can make a profit of $1,000 a year. I have my farm in such good working order and am in such good circumstances that I do not have to stand back for anyone or be ashamed. I have lived in Cull- man for eight years and have never yet known a crop failure. I can advise every German who likes farming to come here, and would also be glad to give advice to anyone who would like to come here if they will write to me, and will help them in advising what to do. Martin Schweninger. Vinemont, Ala., R. F. D. No. 2, April 16, 1912. I was born in Illinois, lived there the greater part of my life. I was in the cigar business for thirty years. I have been over the greater part of the North. CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 29 I came South in November, 1907, to Vinemont, Cull- man County, Ala. I came from Peoria, 111., and went into growing strawberries, red raspberries, sweet pota- toes. We get good prices for strawberries — $3.00 per crate of 24: quarts last year. I got $2.45 per crate for red raspberries of 24 quarts net. We raise anything that grows in the North. Then you do not spend all of your summer wages for coal to keep from freezing. I have been here five years and was never better satisfied ; never had better health, have not been sick one day. The South is the place for the man with small means. If any of my friends write me I will give them all the information I can. W. J. ICKES. Vinemont, Ala., April 7, 1912. (See picture on page 4.) Thiitecn years ago I lived at Summit, South Dakota. My health had failed until I was not able to live in that severe climate, and I was advised by my physician to seek a milder climate, so I came to Vinemont, Cullman Countv, Alabama, A view of corn gruwn by Mr. Wm. Waldrop near Baileyton that yielded 104 bushels per acre. Note man on ith rung of ladder with corn above his head, also above the first cross-arm of telegraph pole. For two other views of this field see pages 18 and 46 30 ('TTLT.l\rAN COUNTY. ALAP,v\MA Iic^iclciii^c uj Mr. (Jcu. 11. I'aiker, Cullman, Ala. I moved here in 1899 and went to farming. I regained my health, which was worth more than all the money to me. I raised corn, hay, strawberries, sweet potatoes, rye, cowpeas, peanuts, cotton, also planted an orchard and vineyard, kept horse, cow, hogs and poultry, and last but not least, I always raised a good kitchen garden. We have a good market for everything we raise here, especially strawberries and sweet potatoes. They always bring a good price. We have an organization here called "The Vinemont Growers' and Shippers' Association." We have contracted our entire crop of strawberries for the season 1912 at $2.00 per crate, less the local manager's commission, which is a very good price. I rented my farm two years ago last fall and went intc) the general merchandise business at Vinemont, and I am doing a good business, but I am still raising straw- berries, because there is good money in it. I would advise anyone who is dissatisfied with the North, and vvlio is willing to work and willing to adapt liimself to the ways of this country, to come South. I would not go back to the northern country to live for any price. I must not fortjet to mention, the water liere is soft CTJLLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 31 freestone water, and is very healthy, and pleasant to the taste; also that we have plenty of good wood to burn, and we don't shake in our boots when the coal miners go on a strike. There are a great many northern families here. Daniel Reitbeeg. Vinemont, Ala., April 23, 1913. (See pictures on pages 24 and 25.) I was raised in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. I lived in South Dakota twenty-one years. I moved to Cullmaji County, Alabama, in 1901, and engaged in the raising dt strawberries, red raspberries, sweet potatoes and other fruits, besides raising feed for my stock. I have never had a failure of crop, nor suffered by hail or drought like the farmers do out West. The land is cheap, considering other places, the climate is "Al." Cotton grown by Mr. S. A. Bradford, R. F. D. No. 4, Cullman, Ala. Yielded 1,800 lbs. seed cotton per acre CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA licsiijriice of Mr. C. A. Stiefehiuyci . Ciilhnait. Ala. Taking everj'thing into consideration, tliis country suits me better than any place I have ever been. Cullman County has more thrifty farmers than any county in the state, because it has a white population and the negro is not known and not allowed to settle here. The country along the railroad is mostly settled by truck and fruit farmers. First of all, during tlie months of April, May and June, we harvest the strawberries and fruit crop. The hot months of July and August are the vacation months. September, October and November, we harvest our pota- toes and cotton, as nearly all tlie farmers plant a few acres of cotton, and corn enough to feed their stock and fatten their hogs. The months of December, January and February are devoted to getting our summer's wood and preparing for the next crop. Hence, there is an income nearly all the year round. The climate is the best that can be had, the elevation here at Vinemont is 1,100 feet above the sea level. The fruit farmers are well organized for shipping pur- poses. I have traveled over a good deal of territory, but I have not found a better place to live. I have lived liere now eleven years. Anyone wisliing to know more of this country with the CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 33 idea of settling, I will be only too glad to give them all the information that they may wish, as I can do that with a clear conscience, as I have nothing to sell to anyone. JoHX Eehbekg. A'inemont, Ala., April 20, li)12. (See pictures on pages 26 and 27.) Am of the opinion that no place on earth surpasses Cullman Countv. Alabama. Take it the vear around. the climate is simply grand; cool nights in summer and no mosquitoes here to bother one. I had a position in the customs service at Chicago for fifteen years, which, on account of ill health, I was compelled to resign, but since coming here my heart and other troubles have never bothered me, and nothing could induce me to return to the North, with its freez- ing weather in winter and sweltering weather in sum- Cottoii that yielded 1,848 lbs. seed cotton per acre, grown by Mr. W. L. Richardson, R. F. D. No. 1, Cullman, Ala. 34 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Residence of Mr. Ignatius Pollak, Cullman, Ala. mer, its lieart strokes and sun strokes, something un- known here. In respect to making a living here, the man with the right stuff in him will make a living anywhere. Straw- berries and sweet potatoes are what has made so many of our people well off, and better corn cannot be pro- duced any place than we have grown right here in Cull- man County, one of the most progressive counties in the state, and one where no prejudice exists towards people from the North or elsewhere. I believe what I am writing covers everything. I might write page after page, but it could not express any more. W. E. O'Brien. Cullman, Ala., May 10, 1912. EXTRACTS FROM iSorti) anb ^outf) iWapjine ^bout Cullman Count? AV. J. Mallory came here from the state of New York fully expecting to die. He was hardly able to ride in a buggy through the country to select a place to live, and when he left his home in New York state his neighbors had bidden him good-by, with tears in tlieir eyes, and never expected to see him again. He is now as lively as a cricket, and declares that there is no place on earth that can compare with Cullman County as a place where one is reasonalily sure of cheating the undertaker for the longest possible time. We drove up to the splendidly kept farm of J. C. Hen- slee, and when talking crops with him he stated that he had made 88 bushels of com the vear before last, and last Cotton grown by Mr. L. H. Tilley, B. F. D. No. 4, CiiUmau, Ala. Yield 1,540 lbs. seed cotton per acre 35 8fi CULLMAN COUNTY, ALAP..\^L\ Residence of Mayor C. Burkliart, Hanceville, Ala. (Continued) year he made Q8\<. bushels to the acre. This year he ex- pects that his yield will be considerably over 100 bushels to the acre. lie had in only 10 acres last year, which furnished him with enough for all of his requirements, and he still has a crib full, which he is selling at $1.20 per bushel. Last year he gathered G.3V2 bushels of oats from one acre and then sowed it in cow peas. He picked 15 bush- els of cow-pea seed and 48 bales of cow-pea hay. The peas are worth from $1.50 to $2.00 per bushel and the hay $18.00 to $20.00 per ton, so you can see for your- self the returns on this acre, bearing in mind that the cow peas were planted after the oat crop was harvested. We drove up to the neatly kept home of Wesley Hill, who for many years had run a large cotton plantation in a river bottom, where the land was supposed to be excep- tionally fertile. We asked him if he thought the elevated lands were as good for cotton raising as the river bottom, and he stated : "Well, I made $10,") worth of cotton on an acre and one- half last year, and in all of the years that I farmed in the river bottom I never got anything that approached such returns as this. "Why, I set out some little strawberry plants in March," Mr. Hill went on, "and to my utter astonish- ment T picked and ate berries off of these plants in May, (,'ULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA ;!7 County lli(jh Schoul, Cullman, Ahi. Residence uf Mr. W)n. liicltard, Cullntuii, Ala. 38 CUTJ.MAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Cotton grown by Mr. L. D. Hancock, R. F. D. No. 1, Cullman, Ala., on land worked for twenty years. Yield 1,700 lbs. seed cotton per acre {Continued) and we had enough for ourselves and all the neighbors, into grape Juice." and mother furnished us with strawberry pies until we begged lier to quit. ^^ e dropped in at the office of the City Clerk at Cull- "Just look at my grape arbor, loaded down almost to man and found that he was A. G. Coe, an old neighbor the point of breaking the vines, it seems. They do not, from the West, having spent a good many years of his life however, hroak, and the grapes sell rapidly for three cents at Deadwood, S. D. He came to Cullman several years per pound, and they come here and contract with me at ago with a wife whose health was not of the best. She is that price and ,uo to all the trouble of cutting them and "ow enjoying health as never before in her life, and there shijiping tlieni t(. tlicir jilace, where they are manufactured '« "o force sufficiently strong to pull either her or Mr. Coe CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 39 Sacred Heart Academy for Girls, Cullman, Ala. A German picnic near Cullman, Ala. 40 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Cullman Cuuiilu Exhibit at Alabama State Fair, Birmingham, Ala. Cullman CoiDiiy lias taken first prize, $800 to $1,000, for five consecutive years back to the Dakota plains. (Continued) time, the first cutting being on April 29. t nsuall}- aim to cut it every four weeks." When we dropped in at Mr. J. 11. Frickic"s place we He took ns ii]i into his liarn and showed ns the fine foTind him busily raking up his alfalfa hay which he had crop he had ]nit up from his first cutting, and it was as just finished cutting. When asked what sort of a vield sweet and fr.ngrant as one could wish for, and we envied he got he said : his work stock that were to feast upon such superb hay. "I cut it five times a year and it will average at least Mr. Friekie hails from Nashville, 111. „ and came here three tons to the acre and sells readily at $33 a ton. with no other purpose in view except to benefit his health. "This morning (June 5) I have cut it for the second ' lie lias found so nuu-li of that priceless gift that he has CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 41 Fanii Ildiiic of Mr. 11. I'.. Unnii, I'ltlhnaii, Ala. Corn groicii hij Mr. W. F. Dahlke, B. F. D. No. 1, CuUman, Ala. Yielded IOG1/2 bushels per acre 42 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Cotton grown by Mr. W. H. Millican, R. F. D. No. 2, Cullman, Ala. Yield 2,658 lbs. seed cotton per acre (Continued) improved his place until it is one of the prettiest, as He has five or six acres planted in an apple orchard well as most resourceful farms to be found anywhere. and alfalfa growing between the trees. He has an acre planted in strawberries that brought He has blackberries, raspberries, mayberries and many him two hundred crates, netting $250. Every sixty feet other kinds, and has a variety of mulberries that provide in tlio strawberry patch he has a paper shell pecan tree berries during a three-month period. He has plain plums, planted, and the cultivation he gives the berries is help- fnncy plums and Japanese plums, early and late peaches. ing liis pecans and summer, winter and fall apples. CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 43 In 1 iwmfflilTSf !^- g|^^^ M ^^^^MmRlt J^l iyf «t3 lIliH iDHI w%Si p lP«] !i ^^^^^ ■ ^■isa ■ Residence of Mr. J. H. Speegle, Hanceville, Ala. Corn grown by Mr. J. C. Henslee, R. F. D. No. 2, Vinemont, Ala. Yield 971/2 bushels per acre 44 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Corn grown by Mr. G. W. Hancock. Yielded over 60 bushels per acre (Continued) Mr. Frickie still owns a good farm in Southern Illi- lisliment. nois, but he is perfectly content to let someone rent it, and I'll venture he does not tell his tenant what a good country Cullman is for fear he would break his lease and move here. Mr. George Stiefelmoyer, president of the Commercial Club, drove the editor to the dairy farm of Stoecker Bros, on the outskirts of Cullman, and we spent a pleasant These boys are aggressively alive to every modern method of converting dairy products into money, and they have a big silo equipped with cutters and a loader that is run by a gas engine. Last year they filled this SO-ton silo with silage from a four-acre patch of corn, and they fed it right through the winter up to the time when the pastures began to get green. Thev heard somewhere that linseed oil was an excellent hour inspecting this up-to-date money-making estab- food to feed dairy cattle to balance the ration, so they CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 45 y^ — 1 1 1 / ■ i ^C^!''4s mf^t^kgie^i^ ,jls^..t-_- &s^S 1^ '^^ Ij ^i^^^^.:--^ g;p|r^^ .^< -^ -.-.<. t- ''^•-"".•^■■^'^sg^iNaf^''' •* - ,''. ii. ■ ' . ■ • ::iyr^ . ■I^' ?S ' . Tobacco under canvas, Cullman Coal <£■ Coke Co., Farm Residence of Mr. J. E. Woolsey, Vinemont, Ala. 46 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA For description of this field see pages 18 and 29 sent to Minnesota to get a few bushels of flaxseed, we were there in June they had a big field of flax in bloom, and it was one of the prettiest sights we have ever seen. Every farmer knows that there is no crop which drains the fertility from the soil to such an extent as flax. A large number of the owners in the corn belt place clauses in their leases forbidding their tenants to raise flax. These Stoecker boys have, however, found no trouble in getting a good stand, and have been doing it now for several years. They extract the oil from the seed and (Continued) Wlien feed it to the cows, and the stalks they use for hog bed- ding. We have seen a lot of aristocratic hogs, but this is the first hog bed we have seen with linen on it. We asked Mr. Stoecker how his silage kept. He replied "that it kept just as good as sauerkraut." Our German readers will know from this that it kept per- fectly. The Stoecker boys have also gone somewhat extensively into the raising of Oregon vetch, a perennial legume that CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 47 Tobacco under canvas and open field, Cullman Coal & Coke Co., Farm A Section of Baspben ics Grown by Mr. J . II . Uarbcr, I'utcmont, Ala. "The Raspberry King of the South" 48 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Cotton groivn by Mr. L. A. Billiard, R. F. D. No. 5, Cullman, Ala. The yield on neiv land was 1,420 lbs. seed cotton per acre (Continued) stays green through the entire winter, furnishing green pasturage at a time when the ordinary grasses are dor- mant. This vetch blooms in June, and its seed pods burst, thus causing this excellent legume to gradually spread. The winter-killing feature which has prevented the growth of vetch in Ohio and other northern states does not harm the plant in Cullman, and it grows merrily on through the winter. As we left the Stoecker farm we remarked to Mr. Stie- felmeyer that they certainly had a nice farm, and that it was worth considerable money, and he replied that five vears before they had started with practically nothing ex- cept a piece of land upon which the fine pastures and splendid improvements are now. No more striking illus- tration of the wealth of opportunity here could be af- forded than what is seen on the Stoecker place. ("ULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 49 i%^^o \^^ *5?-.i.\;.,"i 1 ■ . .fcV "'' =--^ife?i^ Corn grunn by Mr. E. D. Tilhiian, R. F. D. No. 1, Cullman, Ala. Yield 90 bushels per acre Besidence of Mrs. J. H. Gillespie, Haiiccville, Ala. 50 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Cotton grown by Mr. W. S. Year wood near Logan. Average yield 1,200 lbs. seed cotton per acre (Continued) We drove to Mr. lloss Luyben's farm with Mr. Buell, secretary of the Commercial Club, and called him out of his garden to have a little chat with him. Mr. Luyben stated that he had farmed for six years in Iowa and at different times in si.xteen different states of the Union, and that Cullman County suited him much better than any section that he lias heretofore been priv- ileged to live in. He came here from a tnick farm near Los Angeles and has no desire whatever to return to Southern California, believing the returns will be more lasting here than in a country dependent on irrigation. "We didn't use commercial fertilizer on our farm near Pellea, Iowa," said Mr. Luj'ben, "but we certainly did have to spread manure in order to make a crop of 40 bushels of corn to the acre. Here I have gotten 75 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 51 Residence of Mr. J. B. Brown, Cullman, Ala. City Public School, Cullman, Ala. 52 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Corn on farm of Mr. Ww. KUngensmith, Vinemont, Ala. Produced 50 bushels to the acre (.Continued) busliels to tlie acre and am gradually getting my lands in than I can with corn at 50 cents in Iowa. I have gotten such shape that I am confident that every acre of it will 2,200 lbs. of seed cotton on one acre, and eight bales of bring me in 100 bushels. Here I can plant it as late as cotton on six acres. July and then have the entire spring and part of the "From the 2,200 lbs. of seed cotton I got TOO pounds summer to devote to truck crops, which bring me in money of cotton, now worth 11V1:C a pound, and 1,.500 pounds in the spring. of seed cotton, which is now selling at $1.00 a hundred "With cotton at an average price of 10 cents," con- pounds. tinned Mr. Luyben, "I can make more money out of it "I raised this fine colt that you see liere at a cost CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 53 PicJiing Strmvberries on Casper Mages' Farm, near C:iUii:^i.:. ^U,i. 1.1 t ^ T . 7> CUIJ.MAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Residence of Mr. J. R. Griffin, Cullman, Ala. (Continued) which practically amounts to nothing. Mr. Luyben raises a herd of cattle in his woods pas- "I can cut from two to throe tons of cow-pea hay to the ture and just feeds them a little grain at night in order acre ordinarily, and it is worth from $1G.00 to $18.00 a to keep them docile. Their beef is practically velvet. He ^oj, has nothing invested in the way of barns and feeds them "From three-fourths of an acre planted in strawber- but very little, ries I picked r20 34 -quart crates." CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Cotton on farm of Mr. J. M. Raines near Hanceville, Ala. 1698 lbs. seed cotton per acre. Produced Cullman has a Commercial Club, composed of the live wires of the town and county, and they stand ready to offer the Homeseeker every assistance in their power to get located on exactly the kind of a place he desires. The more people living in the county the more prosperity for all is the theory upon which the Club works. Tliis is an inducement that should appeal to the thinking man ; he is virtually invited into a partnership wh^fe Jii.s ^hare ,of tlie profits will be far greater in propojjtJpn;,tQjh^s i;fi,yps|;r. , , inent than in anything that he could possibly select. • Better think it over. Every state and every nation is represented in Cullman County. The Homeseeker will not be going to live among strangers when he takes up his residence there, but will find someone who has lived in his same community in the North or across the water. Cullman County is sometimes called The Land of Strawberries and Cream. It might well be called also 5(; CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Ecsidcncc uf Mr. Andrew KelUiofer, Culliiiau, Ala. the Land of Corn and Cotton and Cane and Wheat and Oats and Potatoes and Peaches, and most everything else that grows in or upon the ground. Do you not realize that a county that grows such widely different products as wheat and cotton must possess a climate that is well nigh perfect? Some places grow cotton and some grow wheat; the places that grow both are exceedingly few, and wherever you find them, you can rest assured that they are good places to live. Cullman is 53 miles North of Birmingham, where the men employed in the various industries receive one mil- lion dollars in wages every week in the year. A million a week means a city that is a good market and Cullman is the nearest point now producing the commodities that these workmen must have to enable them to live. They have no time to make a garden. You cannot raise hay next to a coal mine or a steel mill, hence every pound of food for both man and beast must be shipped in. Cullman's proximity to this superb market means a very low freight rate and consequent top prices for all products. CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Corn gron-n hy Mr. E. H. McAfee, Logan, Ala. Yield 62^2 hnsliels per acre Cullman's schools, churches and fraternal orders are more than all the corn raised in the state of North Da- everything that one could desire. In fact, they are far kota sold for. ahead of the average town of Cullman's size in this re- spect. A longer growing season than in any Northern state ; an ahundant, well-distributed and absolutely certain rain- Cullman's cotton crop last year sold for close to two fall ; ample time to get the seed in the ground and plenty million dollars. Compare that with the value of the corn of opportunity to harvest the crop without interruption raised in your home county, Mr. Northerner. It was from early fro>ts; water as pure as any that was ever ex- 58 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Dooley Siveet Potatoes groivn by Mr. Wm. Boetcher, R. F. D. No. 1, HanccvUle, Ala. Produced 482 bushels per acre. amined; established markets, where Cullman products are not only welcomed but actually s&ll for higher prices than commodities coming from other sections ; an up-to-date county, with good roads, telephones in town and country, and all the things that make the land in the Northern states worth $150 an acre are to be found here in Cull- man county — and when a few more people come here to live the land values will be ecjual to if not higher than in the states north of the Ohio Eiver. Cullman's strawberries sold this spring for nearly $125,000. A nice little sum coming to the farmer about the time the Northern farmer is wondering if he can take a chance on plowing and planting his corn. Cullman's high altitude is an assurance of perfect health; its ever-present breeze that comes from the gulf and ocean to the Southward keeps one cool and comfort- able ; and tlio bumper crops that can be secured from the CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 59 Residence of Mr. Asa Griffith, Eanceville, Ala. hospitable soil make on prosperous, more — health, comfort and prosperity; Can one desire Cullman's grapes sold at three cents a pound last sea- son and were converted into grape juice — a drink tit for the gods. Compare this with the ten dollars a ton the California growers received for the grapes they raised to lie made into wine. Get a map of the United States before j'ou and note the relative position of Cullman, in the Central South, with other sections of the country. You will find that Cullman is admirably located with respect to the great consuming markets of the country. New York City is our largest city, the commercial capital of the world, and one of the best nuirkcts in the world. Cullman is just about as far away from Xew York as Chicago ; much nearer than St. Louis, Omaha, Des Moines or St. Paul, and about one-half as far away as Denver, while Seattle is three and one-times the distance from New York that Cullman is. This means an advantage over these points that are farther from New York in the lower freight rate i;(i CUrj.MAN COUNTY, ALABAMA Cotton (/roicii l>fi Mr. Emmett Loyd, R. F. D. Xo. 6, Cullman, Ala. Yielded at rate of 2,056 lbs. seed cotton per acre tlian Cullman enjoys, to say nothing of the various other that would nuike him Ijlush to take so miich money, ways in which the county excels these other distant parts of the country. Dairymen will find Cullman County just the country they have long wished for. All sorts of pastures, many kinds of hay, a long grazing season, mild winters and a splendid market crying for their product at Birmingham. A man could contract with hotels alone in Birming- ham to take tlie out])ut of a fair-sized daii-y at prices The reason for the high j)rices of all agricultural piod- ucts in the South is that its industrial development has licen faster than the development of the farms, and the de- mand is greater than the supply. You'll like Cullman Countv : everyhodv does. If vou desire to locate in a German localitv. vou will CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 61 Besidence of Mr. Harry Fuller, Cullutan, Ala. find here just exactly what you want at your price, buy a farm, or get a building in which to do business. Have you not often longed for a little place that would give you Just enough exercise to keep well, and at the same time provide you with a living? A few acres in Cullman County, with some fmit and berries, will just suit you and it can be purchased very reasonably. There are no negroes in Cullman County and none are given an opportunity to live here. No violence is offered them ; they simply cannot secure emplomient, rent or Cullman County has never had a blizzard to kill its live stock; never a drouth to scorch its crops; has never been visited hj an army of caterpillars devastating fields as thej' traveled ; c3'clones have passed it by, and the cyclone cellar is unknown. None of these visitations having ever been experienced, it is reasonable to expect that they will never occur. Cullman has never had a "boom"" nor a "bust." Its growth has been slow, steady and sure. m M Prof. Bradford Knapp, in charge of the Farmers' Cooperative Demonstration Work of the United States Department of Agriculture, in his crop record showing the ivorh of demonstrators who by proper planting and cultivation increased their yields, used the following tables illustrative of the results attained in Alabama: Average Yield of Seed Cotton Per Acre for 1911 Under Demonstration Methods 1,442 pounds Under Ordinary Cultivation 609 pounds Average Yield of Corn Per Acre for 1911 Under Demonstration Methods 46.3 bushels Under Ordinarj^ Cultivation 18.0 bushels A careful reading of this booklet ivill disclose pictures of the crops of cotton and corn raised by a large number of farmers whose yields are greatly in excess of those enjoyed by the Demonstrators who were cultivating their crops under the direction of the skilled experts from the United States Department of Agriculture. M M 02 CULLMAN COUNTY, ALABAMA 63 Residence of Mr. J. H. Karter, Cullman, Ala. SEP 11 w» Prize exhibit made by Mr. Joseph Schundc at the CiiJlunui County Fair. Note the many kiiuls of crops The Louisville & Nashville Railroad Runs Home-Seekers excursions on the first and third Tuesdays in each month at very low rates for the round trip, tickets good to stop off at pleasure, and return within twenty-five days from date of issue. These tickets are sold from Cincinnati, Ohio; Maysville, Louisville, Owensboro, Ky.; Evansville, Ind., and St. Louis, Mo., and at principal stations between Evansville, Ind., and St. Louis, Mo. . Louisville & Nashville for particulars as to lands, farms, fruit, and vfgetabU .^.^ , ^ ^ .^-^u S^^rozving and business opportunities, write to 13 <^ -i 1 ■*• g'\ (Jk f\ u /~v ■f'%^ ■f^ O 'f^ \T G. A. PARK ^ ^ General Immigration and Industrial Agent LOUISVILLE :: :: KENTUCKY Cullman County Condensed. It is a county of diversified resources. It is a county with established markets. It is a county of rich and productive soil. One can make a living with ease and certainty. It does not depend upon one crop for its money. It costs little to obtain a home where land is so cheap. The supply and quality of water is all that can be desired. Live stock require but little shelter in this mild climate. The seasons are regular and there is never a crop failure. The climate is uniform; no extremes of heat and cold. Every day in the year is available for profitable outdoor work. Public schools and churches will be found in every community. The winter does not consume what the summer produces. There are many and varied opportunities for profitable farming. Manufacturing can be done cheaper, owing to cheap raw material. There are good markets throughout the year for all farm products. The summers are cooler than in the North; sunstrokes are unknown. It is only 400 miles from the center of population in the United States. All varieties of fruits are wonderfully successful and extremely profitable. All general farm crops sell for more money in the South than in the North. Two field crops or three vegetable crops can be had every year from the same land. New comers will receive a cordial welcome from open-hearted and hospitable people. Truck farming is a great success; products mature early and command high prices in the Northern markets. From four to ten acres of good land can be purchased here for the cost of one acre in the North. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS