American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-11-30
Mississippi State Fair.

our State Far and the energy and
enterprise of Mlssissippians:
JACKSON, Miss, Nov 16, 70.
Since coming to the State Fair we
have been very favorably impressed
with the general tone, bearing and
appearance of the men and ladies
of Mississippi, as seen at the fair.
a great many of them show a force
of character and energy which we
can but admire. They are political
ly down-trOdden, but they are not Il
mean, or il hopelesSly crushed peo-
pie. All they want Is Il good State
Government. Let them have this
and they will make a thrifty State
Of Mississippi.
They are organizing agricultural
clubs all over the State. And when
they join these clubs they work, and
get up a zeal that means success.
And they have men of mark and
ability in their clubs. They see
that organization is Indispensable
to success, and they intend to con
quer the difficulties that threaten
them. Such people may be an
noyed, and harrassed, and impov
erished, but they cannot be utterly
ruined. There is spirit enough even
in their women to save the State,
or, that is our opinion about Mis-
sissippi and Mississippians, right OF
wrong.
THE SIARL BEDS OF MISSISSIPPI.
They are constantly making dis
cOverIeS OF new mari resources in
this State. Prof. Hileard considers
this mari superior to the CONNER
cial fertilizers. And he thinks the
supply can never be exhausted.
BAGASSE AND SUGAR LANDS.
In a conversation with Prof. Hill
gard In reference to the deteriOra-
ton of sugar cane and the sugar
crop, he remarked that the constant
drain upon the sugar lands by
heavy and successive crops of su
gar cane, burning the bagasse, and
returning nothing to the soil, has
robbed those lands of important
elements of this crop. The bagasse,
he thinks, should be cut up like
straw in IA hay cutter, and returned
to the soil, or returned in some
other manner perhaps more cOnve-
nient. Diseased seed and short
crops he thinks inevitable as the
result of so severe II drain on the
food which feeds the sugar cane.
ORCHARD GRASS.
A Mississippi planter, old in the
service, informs US that his expert
ence with orchard grass is highly
satisfactory. On the last day OF
November, 1871, he sowed some of
this seed on thin black Jack soil.-
Though the drouth has been severe
it has grown wonderfully. He eX-
poets to extend the cultivation OF
this grass. He also thinks fayOra
bly, of red clover, red top and red
or rust-prOOf oats.
THE STATE FAIR-ITS OBJECT.
The object of the State Fair
should be principally 10 encourage
and stimulate the best Industries of
the State and country. The man
ayers of the Mississippi State Fair
will please pardon us for making
Suggestions in the interest of the
public in relation to premiums,
prizes, diplomas and honorable
mention"
The ladies of Mississippi, at the
State Fair, had on exhibition nu
merous articles highly creditable to
their industry, their skill and public
spirit. They had over two humid
red and fifty articles, such as pre-
served fruits, dried fruit. pickles,
marmelades, cordials, wines, cat
sups, butter, bread, cakes, fruits,
garden vegetables, quilts, counter
die work, etc, etc. One lady, Mrs.
DR.. Gum, of Brandon, Miss, had
over seventy varieties of preserves,
pickles and jellies.
For all the pains, skill and public
spirit of the ladies, they obtained
chiefly blue ribbon, and paper re-
wards, with here and there silver
cup and little money.
Mr.. Coleman had five thousand
dollars worth of valuable machine
ry, cotton gins, corn mills, steam
engines, etc.
Others had agricultural nipple
ments of real Importance in the de-
velopment of the best interests of
the State etc.
A gentleman who owned a fine
horse that could run faster than
any other on the ground, and who
also owned a horse that could out
trot any other horse at the Fair,
took four hundred and fifty dollars
for the merits of fast animals, and
IA sharp shooter took fine gun val
ued at one hundred dollars for the
best shooting on the wing, while
the ladies' and those who had useful
articles OF husbandry or machinery,
were paid i'll compliments princi-
pally.
If it is cOntended that a fast geld
ing or a sharp shooting bird hunter
is more useful to the farming inter
est of the State of Mississippi than
the noble wives, mothers and daugh-
tiers, who make bread and butter,
preserves and condiments, fruits
and vegetables, as much for the ben
eft of the men as the women, we
cannot agree with those who sup
port such ideas.
Encourage the noble ladies of
Mississippi by all the blue ribbon
compliments they are entitled to.
and at least such money premiums