The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-02-01
A State Board of Agriculture.

EDITORS CLARION: In a State situated
like Mississippi, with facilities for moving
crops by both water and rail, a genial eli
mate, nearly the whole area ofland that can
be proftabIy titled, and with large part OF
this tillable land exceedingly fertile and
highly productive, when properly cultivated,
Agriculture should not only be the leading
industry, but the agricultural interests
ought to and can surpass those of any other
Southern State less favorably situated.
When it is stated, and on good authority,
that the Yazoo Delta, if thoroughly drained
and cultivated would grow more cotton than
is now produced in the whole South, we can
form some idea of the capacity of the State
if its resources were properly developed.
Any means which will increase the thorough
cultivation of larger area of land is worth
studying. The establishment of a State
Board of Agriculture composed of members
who are intimately connected with and
interested in developing the farming
and planting interests of the State
will be an important move In
that direction. We will find these organ
izations in the larger part of the older and
most successful agricultural States of the
Union, and they are carrying on an i'm
portant work. To show the need Of such
an organization, will speak of few of
the kinds of work it might take under its
charge. 1t should publish reports annual
Iy, or more often if necessary, giving stats
tics, crop reports, trials, and success or fail
ure with crops or plants not generally
grown, that promise to be of value; ac-
counts of varieties, modes of cultivation
and fertilizers to be used to produce maxi
mum crops. The information obtained by
correspondence with leading and enterpris-
ing planters, grangers, farmer clubs or other
bodies in each countyo of the State. Special
attention being given to collecting reports
of acreage, condition and prospect of the
cotton crop during June, July, August,
September and October, and the general
summary be given to the public through
the State press, so that the planters might
form some idea of the probable yield and
guage their selling price thereby. The esti-
mate for this State would not furnish data
for the cotton crop of the remainder of the
cotton belt, but the example of Mississippi
the leading cotton State, would induce other
States to follow in her footsteps, when the
price Of cotton would be governed by the
supply and demand, and spectators would
not have the opportunity to secure greater
profit by misrepresentation, than the grower
1t is desirable to increase the population
of the State by the immigration of indus
trious white men with their families, either
foreigners or men from other States; men
who would come to remain and become cit
liens and owners of real estate. A State
Board could collect and disseminate ilforma-
ton in regard to lands for sale, cost per acre,
qualities, healthfulness, etc. so that strangers
would be induced to come among US, and
they could be directed to places that would
make desirable homes, otherwise, not I'M
Outstanding soil, climate, etc, owing to poor
selection, they may not remain; and, judg-
ing the whole State by their limited knowl-
edge, make reports that prevent Others from
| coming The Board should embrace, or be
intimately connected with, the Commits
sioneF of immigration, or any scheme hav-
public meetings annually, or more often, in
different parts of the State, at which lee
lures, discussions, ETC., on topics relating to
agriculture could be had, which would lead
to the formation of farmers clubs, or other
organizations that would bring farmers to-
gether for mutual encouragement and inn
provement The Board Of Agriculture
might have partial or entire control Of the
Agricultural and Mechanical College, by
making a part or all of the gentlemen APP
pointed to that position, members of both
The Board of Trustees and Board of Agri-
culture, or what might be better, make
the Board of Trustees a State Board.
Prominent and intelligent men will
willingly give the time necessary for
such work to benefit the State with
out compensation if their necessary ex-
penses are allowed. The Secretary of such
Board should be a salaried man and give
his whole time to the work. He might
have his headquarters at the A. and M. Col
lege, acting as Secretary of that Institution
as well as of the Board. As the assistance
which would be rendered BIZ the Professors
of the College in correspondence, prepare
ton of reports, ETC., would not only make
the reports of more valne, but bring
the College Into more intimate rela-
tons with the people of the State,
to the mutual benefit of both the
people and the college. People of the
State are demanding that the college, in ad-
dition to educating che young men of the
State for industrial pursuits, shall take
charge of and carry on an experimental sta.
ton. to determine many of those questions
which the farmers want to know, but which
require more outlay for apparatus and labor
than private entetRF;se can afford. Such
would properly come Under the direction of
Bureau of Agriculture.
F. A. GULLEY
4, AND NJ. COLLEGE, Jan. %, 1882.