6 THE ALABAMA OPPORTUNITY. 



The growth and development of its agricultural interests 

 have been hardly less remarkable. An era of farming pros- 

 perity is' upon us. The assertion may be safely ventured that 

 the past three years have been the most prosperous the Alaba- 

 ma farmer has known in a third of a century. It has been a 

 beneficent era for the State's great staple, cotton. The sat- 

 isfactory market for the great crop of cotton which Alabama 

 produces has infused a new vitality in our agriculture and in 

 our commerce. It has stopped, too, the exodus of the white 

 man from the farms and plantations to the city and it has' done 

 more in turning back this moving stream from cityward to 

 the farm house and the cultivated field than any other one 

 cause. 



A period of development is a period of change, and change 

 and development are rich in opportunities. To present as 

 best we may the richness of the Alabama Opportunity is the 

 primal purpose of this publication submitted for your ap- 

 proval. The earnest and intelligent efforts, now making for 

 the presentation of Alabama's splendid claims to consideration, 

 by the workers for thrifty and intelligent immigrants must 

 command the assistance and cooperation of every patriotic 

 citizen of the State. If what has been gathered and published 

 here shall give aid and assistance to the organizations work- 

 ing to that end, one purpose, at least, of the work h'ere repre- 

 sented will have been served. 



A time ripe for this general movement has been chosen. 

 If what is published here shall fail to show the opportune 

 timeliness of a general immigration movement throughout Ala- 

 bama this publication will have fallen short of its object. 

 The failure will have come, not through lack of zeal nor lack 

 of evidence to prove the case of those of us who are responsi- 

 ble for this publication. 



I am pursuaded that what is within the covers of this volume 

 will amply repay reading and consideration, by the ambitious 

 and thrifty wherever they are located and by the people of the 

 State as well, who may not know how rapidly Alabama is 

 stepping forward in the march of time. 



Our change, our development has come quietly upon us. 

 Alabama, unlike some of the Western States has not suffered 

 and is not suffering from overadvertising. No dishearten- 

 ing revelations await the new comer. It. is not his fate in Ala- 



