The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-03-01
For the Clarion.
An Experimental Farm.

! The importance Of the establishment o
an Experimental Farm, as suggested ia III,
Memorial 10 the Legislature. of the Com.
mittee Of the Board Of Control Of the Plant
ers', Manufacturers and Mcchanic-' Asso.
citation Of the State of Mississippi. cannot
be over-estlmated. The State should estab-
| lish and sustain This farm. where expert
ments, scientifically made, would test all
I seeds of grains. grasses. field and garden
crops. all fruits and vegetables. and show
those best adapted 10 the soil and climate OF
Mississippi-analyze all kinds Of soils; also,
all manures, homemade and commercial
test their properties, adaptation 10 different
soils, mode OF preparation, application. etc.
These experiments, too costly 10 be made
by private enterprise should be made nc the
public expense, and the results published
broadcast throughout the State. The i'm
creased production thereby induced would
soon return to the State Treasury hundred
fold of the amount Invested. The publica-
ton of the Results of such experiments.
made under the auspices OF the State. would
in the last few years have saved her citizens
thousands of dollars, expended for COM
mercal fertilizers, many Of which. pur-
chased at high prices, have proven utterly
worthless, either through the ignorance Of
the planter In not understanding the wants
of his soil, or the dishonesty and cupiditv
of the manufacturer and dealer. Let such
a farm be once established. where all the
fertilizers can be scientifically analyZed and
fully tested-the worthless impOsitions OF
ignorance and credulty will shrink from
the light of science. whilst the meritOrious
will gladly court investigation, on account
of the prominence which such experiments.
if satisfactory, will give them.
The Fair Grounds of the Association are
admirably adapted to the purposes of such
Experimental Farm, located on the level
plateau of Pearl river, with "A bOundlpss
supply OF water only twenty feet below the
surface. which by means Of drove wells
can. In times of drouth be- cheapy utilized
for purposes OF irrigation. The overflow
from Pearl river, which occurs only oecn-
sionally can be entirely prevented by
leVec. There is not in the whole United
States a tract OF land appropriated 10 the
use of Fair Ground, 80 admirably adaptpd
TO the purposes of an Experimental Farm
with convenience of access 20 the city of
jackson, the point of crossing of two great
railroads. traversed from West % East bv "A
street railroad, already a success, "A tnonu-
ment of the foresight Of its cntcrprising
proprietOrs and managers.
Establish this Experimental Farm Make
IL whatit ought 70 be and what it can be
made to be; adorn its surface with cultiva-
tiOn-squares of waving grain-plats Of
grass-fruit trees-shade trees--ornamental
and Towering shrubs, mammoth vegetables
"a park-a lake filled with fish-a hort icul-
tural and pathological department-fill mp
the whole space with vegetation, fruit.
grains, GRASSES and flowers but once place
IL in the tide Of successful experiment. and
the Fair Grounds Of Mississippi will become
the Mecca OF the South and West, TO which
the devOtees of the pillow, loom and anvil
will annually resort in crowds. TO learn
lessons OF wisdom from the High Priests,
welded TO science, industry and progress.
who minister at her affairs.
IL ought 10 be done! Il must
be done. it can be done under
the provisions of the act Of Congress
OF July -, lsG2. '.donating lands 10 the
several states and Territories. which may
provide Colleges OF Agriculture and the Me-
chanic Arts. We call the attention Of the
Legislature TO the 18th and 9Th Sections Of
said act Of Congress. especially 10 the con-
dht0Hs Of the 9th Section, and particularly
To the exception TO the first condition 10 the
said 9Th Section. which H. ia these words
Except that a sum not exceeding ten per
cent. upon the amount received bV any
State, under the provisions Of this act, may
be expended for the purchase Of lands for
sites, or e6peTf5QeHtdt farms, whenever au-
thOrized by the respective Legislatures of
the several States" Here Is the authority
Of Congress, and the act Indicating the d.
rection in which ten per centum Of the
amount received by the State Of Mississippi
may be appropriated. Let the present
give direction 10 this fund by
appropriate action, start this experimental |
il on a safe footing, provide by
law for the faithful carrying out Of its pur- .
pOse-and soon the fruits Of this wise and /
wholesome legislation ia the encourage
ment % Mississippis greatest interest, Ag- 1
riculture, will be seen and felt IL every cor |
acr OF the State.
PLANTER