The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-02
THE PROGRESS OF HoRTICUL-
CURE IN MISSISSIPPI

Address Delivered By Mn. B. 4. Ston
at the Closing Exercises ofhe Ms
sisstppi Agricultural and Me-
chanical College Glass '89.
The horticultural industry in Mis-
sissippi, previous to fifteen years ago
was lying silent in a congenial cline
and a productive soil, waiting only
for mans mind, muscle and money t.
assist her and she would unlock to hin
natures richest treasures, and furnish
to him a pleasant home, amid a refined
and progressive people. At that time
most of the farmers of our State were
slaves to cotton-true supporters Of
the credit system. Let us investigate
and see to what extent horticulture
was practiced then. Outside of what
was grown for home consumption,
there were a few vegetable gardens on
the Gulf coast and sin southeast Mis-.
sissippi, a strawberry patch at Madison
Station, a peach orchard at Brook
Haven, and a pear and an apple orch.
ard in northeast Mississippi at Boon
vile. Besides these, we find that al
Canton Ferry and Crystal Springs this
industry was practiced only on a small
scale.
The principal influences which caused
horticulture to be developed in Mis-
sissippi were, first, the railroads;
second, the display of garden and
orchard productions at the New Or
leans exposition; and third, the organ
ization of horticultural societies. The
Mobile and Ohio Railroad was the
first to place Northern markets at our
doors; then the Illinois Central; follow
ing was the Mississippi Valley road
and the various tributaries to the
roads mentioned. 1t is a noticeable
fact that the industry has made the
greatest development on the line of
railroads most conveniently situated
to large Northern cities. We are next
forcibly impressed with the display
made at New Orleans. 1t showed our
people what could be done in raising
almost every kind of fruit and vege-
table; winning several of the premi-
ums on figs, cherries and pears from
the Northern portion of the State,
and On oranges, small fruits and vege-
tables from the southern portion. 1t
clearly showed what we could do COM
pared with other States. 1t created
quite a favorable impression upon the
energetic, inquiring immigrants visit
ing the exposition, forcing them to
acknowledge our superior advantages
over sister States.
The last principal cause of horticul-
tural development in the State is the
organization of societies. A little
band of energetic, industrious farmers
at Jackson, in 1888, organized the
Mississippi Horticultural Society"
Subordinate societies have been or
ganized in different counties of the
State until to-day there are upwards
of 80 within the bounds of Mississippi.
The object of these societies is to
bring their combined observation, ex-
perience and knowledge with their
deductions and results and to make
these public property, thus to aid in
the advancement of horticulture in
every way possible. The horticul-
turists are the best organized of any
industrial class in the State. One of
the most important results of these
organizations is that they have re.
duced freights till the railroads do not
receive the larger portion of the profits.
These organizations increase the intel
ligence of the members, because
they are connected with something
both remunerative and pleasant;
something interesting for the close
observer to carry to his mind for re-
Election something that stimulates hope
and a desire for knowledge.
Bear with me, while l ATTEMPT to
the progress of horticulture
throughout the State, and it's present
position. Where, along the S. c.
Railroad, a few years ago, you could
see only small patches of vegetables
and diminutive orchards, you now
find extensive fields of potatoes, to-
matoes, strawberries and other
products; splendid orchards of the
most important varieties of peaches.
pears, and apples. This industry has
been increasing cautiously in north
east Mississippi, and the WORKOUT
cotton growers are now allowing
to occupy their, land and the cult,
walton and study of them their time.
They have seen the results of a few
of fruits and the returns
were sufficient to induce them to
plant orchards, and they have in the
last two years in the immediate vicin.
of Bonneville planted upwards of
acres in peaches for the
commercial market alone. AT the
same place they have a box factory.
and are, this season, shipping their