The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-07-24

MOBILE, ALA, June 6, 1878.
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| Nag. Il. u. Wall:
| DEAR SIR comply with your polite re
quest TO furnish you some matter for the pa
per you design printing, with the view o.
| portraying the attractions of the State
only sorry that my engagements have been
such as TO make it impossible for me to give
to the work the desired elaboration.
For the sake of something like system,
| let US look at Mississippi in her climate,
soil, products and resources; not limiting
ourselves to these topics, but having them,
mainly, in view.
There have been such persistent misrep-
resentatiOn and such deep rooted miscon-
ception of the climate of this State, that the
| best substantial facts, the soberness OF
statistics, the most impartial and critical
statements of the most competent and dis
passionate observers, are put in the same
| category in the estimation of many with
the vagaries of fancy the sinister exaggera-
tiOns of INSCRIPTIONS land agents, or the
wild and reckless assertions of casual and
irresponsible observers. Tell the people at
large that the last census shows that Missis-
sippl Is one of the best watered States in the
Union, far surprising many; that she is a
very healthful State, in many respects, even
in malarial diseases having less sickness
than many States; while these diseases are
not of malignant type, and yield readily
to treatment; tell that our rainfall sur
passes most of the States tell these, say,
and avouch for it with the census, and you
are stared at in a vacant faced, dreamy way,
that shows that, while the party can't dispute
you, he or she is nearly stunned at the
surprising facts you have presented.
Our climate, while it is hot one, is endu-
rable by reason of our cool nights, the dry
ness of the air, that admits of the absorption
of perspiration, and its breeziness. have
not time to dwell on each of these but u
strong illustration of the breeZiness of the
climate was mentioned by an old gentleman
the other day, who lives in the.grand prairie
region of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.
was asking him about the breeziness of that
country; he said that, after stock had be-
come habituated to the open prairies, it was
almost impossible to keep them in the
wooded country.
We have a season of hot weather from
May until October, q put it strongest
against us by that statement.) But our eli
mate is remarkably even in its temperature.
So much is this the case that, sometimes, for
three or four years successfully, the highest
temperature, in one or more months, in each
year, will be the same. Thus, take the
highest temperature for September in the
years 1889 to 1912, inclusive; in each year it
was 80 degrees Take again the highest tenn
perature from 1925 to 1928, inclusive, in the
month of July. In every year, except 1922,
when it was 81 degrees, the degree was 81.
From 1925 to 1850, the highest range of
the thermometer was SO degrees. That was
in August, 1884 On only three other occa-
siOns did it reach 81 degrees, tO-wit: August,
1925 and July of 1882 and 1915. | would
love to dwell, but must hurry on. L ought
to say, however, to avoid misunderstood
ing, that while | have the meteorological re-
cord from 1880 to 1877, it is not accessible;
that the above temperature was noted at
Natchez, Miss, and that the coolest day was
- degrees, in the year 1882.
We have a great variety of soils in the
State. 1t is supertluOus to go into the geo.
logical divisions. There are the allu vial
lands of the Mississippi river, the miocen
lands representing the northern centre of
the State, the pine lands the southern centre,
and the prairie lands lying on the eastern
side of the State, for considerable portion
of it. lt is needless to say anything of the
alluvial lands on the Mississippi. Missis-
sippi bottom is the synonym of fertility
surprising fertility-of soil, throughout
this continent. The pine lands are compar-
atively infertile, but very beautiful; full of
sparkling springs and swift, limpid brooks
and m %9te sxf9eRt oF fruits and vegetables
.sere OF the State, are more lei 1tlle upper
pine lands, not so well watered, and are
adapted to the culture of large variety of
products.
The prairie lands are, to my mind, the
most beautiful lands, in an agricultural point
of view, | ever saw. | have seen much of
the prairies of Illinois and Iowa. L have
com barred views with men who have seen
much, il not most of the prairie lands of
the United States L have never seen, nor
have heard, any say that they have seen
any prairie land to surpass the prairie re-
gion along the line of the Mobile and Ohio
Railroad. The most of it lies in long, gem
tie fluctuations, with barely enough roll to
il to secure drainage. The soil is black,
mellow, friable and prodigiously fertile. 1t
is almost all underlaid with mari or rotten
limestone. 1t is accessible, cheap, healthful.
| am informed that the best of the prairie,
when new, will bring 100 bushels of corn
per acre. There is plenty OF den Onstratlon
this year that it will bring fine wheat and
oats. / know, after a recent investigation,
that it is one of the best stock raising coun-
tries in the country, having seen Blue grass,
(Poa pratensis) red clover, (Trifolium pra-
tense5 white clover, tTriIolium repen>)
red top, {Agrostis vulgaris) orchard grass,
(Dactylis glomerata) meadow fescue, (Fes-
tuca pratensis) johnson grass, better known
as Guiena grass, (Sorghum vulgare) Ber-
muda grass, (Cynodon dactylon) and lu-
cerne, [Medicago sativa) all on one farm;
that of w. B. Montgomery, of Starkvile,
Miss, one of the most prominent and sue
cessful breeders OF thoroughbred Jerseys In
the Southwest.
1t should be said, too, en- PEASANT, that
these prairie lands endure dry weather sur
passingly. The soil is so deep and mellow,
mat no subsoiling is needed; it has been
deemed supertluOuS. after years OF expert
ment, by one of the most enlightened ex=
permentalists in Mississippi, Mr.. Z. f.
Sherrod, of Columbus, Miss. The roots
striking away. until the needed moisture is
reached, without obstacle.
They are also extraordinarily blessed IN
the abundance of mari or rotten limestone,
10 he VnT0 RI
region proper.
These superb lands range all the way
from SO 90 to $50 90 per acre, very much
according to proximity to railroad, or the
disposition of the owners.
Turn we now little while to consider the
productions of this State. How vast the
Varietyl What range from the oranges,
lemons, olives, bananas of our southern
border to all that is claimed as best at the
North and East on our northern borders
1t would be: interesting to show what we
can produce that they cannot Look what
fine rice, sugar cane we can produce.
Our tobacco, where is it surpassed
although so little cultivated. Per-
haps they think they can surpass US
in the cereals. Yet / am sure their oats
cannot mpare with ours. Where is wheat
superior in -four producing quality to ours,
to be found? Rye and barley are hardly
worth cOHtending for; though l. Dy no
\ means, wish it to be supposed by this. Lnae
our prOuuct IL IuASIiof' AnoW enO - =
| boasts of its corn but, given their improved
culture and appliances, l feel sure that mo
prairies and Mississippi bottoms will equal
| il not surpass their yield. Their hay crop
| is a big item. Well, we can cut more any
| off the same area per annum than they can
of their favorite grasses, besides pasturlng
the same all winter long; and we can add
/ two grasses TO the best of pasture grasses
which nothing they have can approach 70
mot even the kentucky blue grass. But
Why go to the expense of moving grass ioF
| hay when you can have grass green the
| wear round for pasture? VINO shall emu
| merate the list of fruits and vegetables !
/ 7 -fxsarr n August.