demonstrates the capabilities of lands that have long been regarded by our people as possessing small worth.

To have glanced over the sand-colored district where the bustling little city of Cullman now is, prior to its settlement by the German colony, one would have thought its lands too thin and barren to respond even to the most irksome toil, and the most careful fertilization. But under the direction of skilled owners, it has proved to be one of the most desirable sections of Alabama. The population is contented and prosperous, and is being, from time to time, increased by new acquisitions, both from America and Europe.

In addition to the many cheap lands found in Cullman county there are 15,000 acres of land belonging to the government.

BLOUNT COUNTY.

HIS county was formed in 1818, and named in honor of Governor Wm. G. Blount, of Tennessee. It is noted for the abundance of its minerals, the diversity of its soils, the variety of its productions and mineral waters. In its progress it is keeping pace with the surrounding counties, and is ranked among the best in the State. Its area is 700 square miles.

Population in 1880, 15,369; population in 1890, 21,927. White, 20,155; colored, 1,772.

Area planted in cotton, 28,532 acres; in corn, 37,771 acres; in oats, 10,175 acres; in wheat, 1,329 acres; in rye, 39 acres; in tobacco, 28 acres; cotton production, 9,748 bales.

The face of the country in Blount is rather peculiar. It is penetrated through the center by a plateau which occupies a belt from eight to ten miles in width. On one side of this mountain plateau, running parallel with it, is Murphree's Valley, while on the opposite side is Brown's Valley. Along this belt of plateau are found excellent farming lands, which have been wonderfully assisted during the last few years by the moderate use of fertili

zers. Cotton grows most readily upon this broad upland, especially if a little assisted with fertilizers.

Because of the greater ease of cultivation, the farmers of the county have come, in many instances, to prefer these elevated soils to those of the valleys for cotton producing purposes. As pasture lands these cannot be excelled in the county. There is a combination of elements here that .favor the raising of stock, among which may be mentioned an adequate supply of water and soils favorable to the growth of clovers and grasses. Perhaps a better section than this plateau can not be found in Alabama for the production of fruits. As fine apples and peaches grow here as are produced in the South. Indeed, Blount has the reputation of being the best apple-growing section on the continent. The character of the climate is such as to favor a certain crop almost annually. It is very rare that the fruit crop is cut off by frosts. The valley lands are intrinsically more fertile than those which lie along the broad plateau.

The soils of both the valleys are, in some instances, as rich as those which belong to the famous Tennessee Valley. Even along these valleys there are flinty ridges which break the evenness of the lands, but between these exist the most productive soils. The most of the cotton raised in Blount is grown upon the loamy valleys. In addition to corn and cotton, the county produces oats, wheat, tobacco, sweet potatoes, rye and sorghum.

It has for several years produced a great deal of wool, and as stock-raising increases, there is no doubt that this product will correspondingly increase.

The main streams of Blount are Mulberry, Locust and Blackburn Forks, and Big Spring Creek.

The principal timbers are beech, walnut, poplar, sycamore, post and Spanish oaks, hickory, wild cherry, pine and black-gum.

The county took the premium at the Atlanta Exposition for the largest and finest specimens of wild cherry. Vast districts of the county are overspread with forests of timber.

Transportation is afforded through the medium of the great Louisville & Nashville Railroad, which traverses it from the north to the south. Another railroad is in contemplation and is expected soon to be built from Birmingham to Guntersville on the

Tennessee River. This road will penetrate the heart of the famous Murphree's Valley, and along its route, from one terminal point to the other, will prevail vast deposits both of coal and iron. The road will prove of incalculable advantage to the population residing in the region through which it will pass. Such is the attractiveness of this region that it will serve speedily to allure a population as soon as its resources of mine and soil are known.

Excellent school and church facilities exist in almost every portion of the county. Blountsville, the seat of justice, Bangor, Summit, Hanceville and Garden City are places of importance. Both at Blountsville and Bangor there are colleges of local importance. The industries of the county are varied. Extensive limeworks are seen at Blount Springs. Limestone dug from the quarries here is daily shipped in large quantities to Birmingham, where the manufacturers hold it in repute above any other available limestone. It prevails in inexhaustible stores in hills about Blount Springs. Coal and iron are abundant in the county. Petroleum is also found. Enjoying, as it does, facilities for transportation to the markets of the South, North and all points in the far Northwest, nothing prevents Blount from taking rank with the foremost counties of the State.

Blount Springs, situated immediately upon the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, is the favorite watering place of Alabama. These famous springs are 130 miles north of Montgomery, and are embosomed in the most picturesque mountain scenery. The waters are especially adapted to the cure of scrofula, rheumatism, dyspepsia and all affections of the bladder and urinary organs.

Here, as in the adjoining counties which lie along the railroad, the value of the lands diminishes as they recede from the line of communication. Land can be purchased in the county at prices ranging from $5 to $35 per acre. There are 5,140

acres of Government land in Blount county.

JEFFERSON COUNTY.

HIS county leads all the other counties of the Mineral Belt in the development of its resources and in the progress which it is making in the manufactures. For

several years past it has been a scene of bustle and business, extensive mining and manufacturing interests having sprung into existence in every part of the county. By reason of its advancement, it is annually attracting to itself yet other agencies which contribute to its growth. Every year it takes a new stride forward, and its county-seat, Birmingham, is destined to be one of the leading mflnufacturing centers of the South.

Jefferson county has an area of 960 square miles.

Population in 1880, 32,272; population in 1890, 88,501; white, 56,334; colored, 32,167.

Area planted in cotton, 11,790 acres; in corn, 30,398 acres ; in oats, 7,708 acres; in wheat, 316 acres; in rye, 1 acre; in tobacco, 7 acres; cotton production, 4,829 bales.

Jefferson county is cut into two unequal divisions by a long, narrow valley which traverses it from northeast to southwest. Directly northwest of this valley, and embracing nearly twothirds of the territory of the county, are the coal measures of the great Warrior coalfield, while in the southern part of the county are the coal measures of the Cahaba field. Here, as elsewhere, the soil is dependent upon the character of the underlying rock-increasing or diminishing in richness with the fertility or sterility of rocks beneath. In the main, the soil in these regions is of moderate fertility. The surface of the county is broken and often mountainous. Upon the table-lands the soil is moderately productive, while in the valleys it is quite rich. Along the slopes are grown the grasses and cereals, while the valleys are largely devoted to the production of corn and cotton. Jones Valley is regarded the richest section of the county. It has a mulatto soil based upon a red clay subsoil. Along this valley