The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1897-01-09

ny ulllCiSHCbS III SOll anu lDTcSL--
the Yazoo-Mississippi delta, the
northeast prarie region, the CEN
tral hill section and the gulf
coast, including the vast pine
lands Of the state. The alluvial
land of the far-famed delta, aptly
characterized By tho eloquent |
Prentiss, "the cornucopia of the
world" is the ideal cotton region
of the planet. With Indifferent
culture it easily yields a bale to
the acre, and because of its
strength of fiber and length of
staple commands a premium in
the markets Of the world. A re-
port of the United States depart
ment of agriculture thus compar-
es the annual crop values Of inn
proved lands in Mississippi and
other states;
Per acre
In MissisSioni. 49, s.,.s 49,, .$12 2l
In ll1.Sesirr,.S.! g. !,::. N,,t.55sSl
lpsHInols. ..1lJA
yN1owa. ........... s s.
/ Now, when we consider that
much of the hill and sandy lands
of the state are far less produc-
tive than this "Nile valley of
America" " an idea may be given
OF its marvellous fertility. The
delta also produces an average
OF thirty bushels of indian corn
per acre, hay of the finest quality,
Irish and sweet potatoes at n net
profit of $50 per acre, and all the
fruits that grow in scmi-tropical
countries.
The prarie region produces
"every crop known to the south
ern soil and climate except the
orange" 1t was once character
lied as the "corn and meat sur
plus" section of the state. In adj
dltion to its numerous crops, more
diversified, perhaps, than other
sections, it has become the great
center of Mississippi's stock in
dustry. The immense cotton
fields of other years have been
laid off into meadows and pas
lures for horses, mules, cattle
and hogs of the finest blood and
breed.
Mississippi's lumber regions,
since the great forests of the
northwestern states have been
denuded, is now unequalIed in
America. II is estimated that
our standing timber amounts to
over 10000 900 feet. An
authority on this subject alfirms
that if a system of forestry was
in force that provided for the re-
planting and care of tree for
every one cut down, Mississippi
could manufacture upward of
300, 100000 feet of lumber every
year and still possess perpetuity
in her lumber wealth, The most
beautiful yellow pine in the
world, which is being shipped
over the United States and to all
foreign ports by the millions of
feet every month, is found in
Mississippi. Our cypress forests
are also a mine of wealth, and
our fine-fibered oak is beginning
to attract the attention of the
finishing and furniture manufac-
tureDs of America. Now that the
GHH and Ship Island Railroad is
lIoperation and furnishes easy
and inexpensive access to our
Ship Island harbor, the
lumber industry of the state has
been given fresh impetus. All
the mills arerunning on full time,
and find eager demand for their
output.
The oyster industry Of our gulf
coast is increasingly remuneratiye
All the conditions are favorable /
to the growth of this luscious BIZ
valve, and we can challenge the |
world on the rich yields of our
oyster beds. One of the many |
canning factories on the cost has
an annual sale of nearly $500. 900. !,
The central section of.the state !.
has been devoted considerably to
truck growing and fruit raising, |
and to large profit. One town
alone, Crystal Springs, has in
creased its shipment,of vegetables
and Strawberries from a few car
loads ten years ago to $40 car loads
in 1895. The tomato is the lead
ing article of production, and is
unsurpassed in the world. Straw
berry culture has also been quite
profitable, and SO perfectly is our
soil and climate adapted to its
growth that the Mississippi straw
berry ranks first in the great CITY
of the country.
One of the hopeful evidences
of a larger industrial prosperity
in our state is the increasing
number of small farms. The aver
age size Of farms has decreased