62 



000 a year for food and forage as we have been doing 

 under the all-cotton system, most of this immense sum 

 can be kept at home as Alabama learns to feed herself. 



4. Reducing Advances on Crop Liens. — Necessarily 

 for the protection and best interests of both the farmer 

 and the advancing party these advances must be re- 

 duced in weevil territory. The reduction should be 

 made gradually during a period of years to enable 

 both parties to become accustomed to the new condi- 

 tions and to institute such changes as are required 

 thereby. Through it all there must be one common 

 purpose to stand by each other loyally for the ultimate 

 good of both parties. One imperative condition in 

 these reductions is that they shall not be made com- 

 plete at once or carried to such an extent as to seriously 

 cripple the farmer in his production of farm crops or 

 other desirable products. The tenant farmer or crop- 

 per must be willing to meet the land owner, merchant 

 or banker at least half way in making these changes. 

 Advances should be conditioned upon the farmer mak- 

 ing such changes in his system of farming as the local 

 situation may require. As a rule, he should assure at 

 least the raising of all corn and meat needed to carry 

 him through the year. Rental systems may be changed 

 from a standing rental to a share system or from the 

 usual two bales of cotton per plow to one bale of cotton 

 and the equivalent value of the other bale in other 

 acceptable farm products or in cash. Show the farmer 

 that something beside cotton can pay his bills and it 

 will not be so difficult to bring about needed changes. 



5. Maintain Total Vcdne of Farm Products. — With 

 a diversified svstcm of farming even the average man 

 can be helped through wise leadership to at least main- 

 tain the total value of his farm products for the year. 

 The chances are good that this total value will be 

 greatly increased while his living expenses are actually 

 decreased and the standard of living for the whole 

 community may be steadily raised. 



6. Provide Markets For New Products. — In the 

 disposal of the surplus from these new farm products 

 the farmer needs the assistance of some of the local 

 business men who may helj) him to solve the problem 

 of markets. Many such products can be disposed of 

 locally. Merchants can act as buyers or agents to col- 

 lect products in such quantities that they can be ship- 

 ped in ([uanlity to more distant markets. It should be 



