The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1902-01-04
MlssIsgpprs MANUFACTURES.
Some Interesting and Instructive Figures.

A great many people have an alto
gether erroneous idea as to manufac-
turing interests of Mississippi. The
following figures taken from the CEN
sus report, and compiled therefrom by
the New Orleans Picayune, will prove
an eye-opener to the general public
1t shows the State to be on the up
hill grade as to the development of
her natural resources. The Picayune
says:
Mississippi has few of the natural
advantages which foster manufac-
lures. 1t possesses no important har-
Dor, little water power and few min
eral resources. The State is fortu-
nate, however, in having cotton lands
of inexhaustible fertility and extern
sive forests of pine and hardwood.
The leading industries of the State in
1900 were in the working of timber
and cotton products.
''The returns show that the manu-
facture of lumber and timber products
| is the most important industry in the
State. The S44 establishments re-
ported in 1900 gave employment to
9,676 wage-earners, or 1856 per cent of
the wage-earners employed in the
State, and the products were valued
at $15, ,656, 10, or 1871 per cent of the
total value of the products of the
State. In 1890 there were 366 estab-
lishments, 4,427 wage-earners, and
products valued at $40, 3s7. The
increase in the value of products dur
ing the decade was lib per cent.
The forests of Mississippi constitute
its moss valuable natural resource.
The long-leaf pine region of the
coastal plain no longer contains much
valuable timber, but the rolling pine
lands of the interior have been very
little exploited. These in 1897 were
estimated to cover 7,712, 900 acres.
1.-THE manufacture of cotton seed
oil and cake ranks second, with Al es-
adjustments, 1,521 wage-earners, and
products valued at S6,68l,12 In
1890 there were 13 establishments,
9Sl wage-earners, and products valued
at 50, 406, 62S. The increase in the
value of products during the decade
was 177.6 per cent. In 1900 Meridi-
an had the mill of largest capacity,
and Greenville the greatest number
of establishments. Two establish
ments, one at Jackson and the other
at Meridian, refined as we'll as ex-
pressed the oil. 1t is claimed that a
Mississippian, John Ross, in 1901
made the first written suggestion
that oil be expressed from the cotton
seed and prophetically named its uses
The first mill in the United States
was erected at Natchez, Miss, ir
1884, and at the census of 1870 foul
mills were reported in the State.
''There were las establishment.
engaged in the manufacture of tur
pentine and rosin in 1900, with 2,2S'
wage-earners, and products valued a
S1,772,435. In 1890 "a establish
ments were reported, with 620 wage
earners, and products valued a
s2S2, ,OS6. The increase in the valu
of products during the decade wa
! 1884 per cent.
There were six establishments en-
! gagged in the manufacture Of cottol
goods in 1900, with 1,675 wage-earn
ers, and products valued at SLATE, ,s35
In 1890 nine establishments were re
ported, with 1.l54 wage-earners, an
products valued at 81 1888, 39S. Th
increase in the value of products dun
/ ing the decade was 10 8 per cent.
'There is no reason why Mississippi
} should not be one of the first cott0f
spinning states in the Union, an
doubtless one day will be. !" 4,