Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-11-04

has been greatly accelerated during the past yAar
Farmers who moved to the South two and three
years ago, in very many cases are only now buying
their land; they have tested the sci they have
g0Ue through the experience OF observing the Seasons
they have experimental successfully in applying
improved farm methods, they have not been dissp-
pointed in social aud other surroundings; IN short,
they have felt their way to point where change
to new investmest aud conditions for themselves
and their families is justified by the results OF prac
teal experience
On June 80 the Land aud Industrial Department
had recorded the sale Of 2,270O1S acres OF land
contiguous to the company's lines, which included
purchases by 1,093 farmers. The fact will be ap'
pTeciated that the phrase OF Southern immigration
Just alluded to precludes accurate recOTdatOn OF the
annual movement of permanent settlers to Southern
Railway territory. The intending settlers who
rents farm, taking an option to buy-as he usually
does--at the end Of TWO or three years, Is not
counted as a purchaser, and when he does finally
buy he is no longer in the category ofnew Settlers
Therefore, the bare statement that O93 settlers pur
chased farms on the Southern Railway lines during
the past year and that they exceeded the number
for the previous scar by 80 per cent has only
suggestive value and does not purpOrt to be more
than a statement of the minimum movement OF
actual settlers to the rural districts. comparison
With similar records for previous years, however
indicates most conelusyely that the present move
ment is very much greater than during any part OF
gathering increased momentum with each ensuing
year. This observation is confirmed In measuse
by the building record for the year. The buildings
OF all descriptions erected during the year on the
system numbered 16, 173, compared with 12,bl6 In
the previous year, anincrease OF $685. or % ~ per
ceut The aggregate cost OF these buildings was
S26 sos 233 compared with S23, 1887 ,2lO, relative
gam Of g. 521 O23 10 so per cent The nigh per
centage in number compared with cost was due very
largely to the demand for dwellings OF moderate
cost.
The average farmer FROM the North and West Is
a man whose means are Tor the most part invested
in farm property and his purchase of farm IN the
South very often contingent his success in dis
posing OF similar property wherehe is. In sections
Of the North where sale of farm property is slow
the movement South is necessarily slow, however
strong the interest and earnest the desire to take up
opportunities awaiting the investor IN the South.
In sections Of the West which are receiving acces
sons to their population from foreign counties the
strong appeal being made by the SAuth may be read
in the movement OF the American farmers who sell
to the new comers-they go South.
There is every reason why the rural population
from now on should increase in the South prOpor-
tinnate to the other development. The section is
becoming plentifully dotted with object lessons
demonstrative OF its agricultural possibilities; the
idea OF dvercity Of crops has taken firm hold among
the peoples legislature county and city authorities,
boards of trade and other commercial organizations,
following the initiative OF the Agricultural Depart
ment and the Southern Railway, are earnestly TAX
ing up the question Of good country roads; the re
action setting in among city people Of large means
il favor Of country life has extended it's influence to
the South aud is resulting IN the establishment Of
high.elass stock breeding iarmss capably managed,
which are working wholesome changes in the live
stock situation generally; but over and above all
else on which expectations Of large immigration
may be predicated are the unparalleled OppOrtuni-
ties offered the settler Of small means for the pur
suit Of mixed farming, fruit growing and poultry
raising in close proximity TO unexcelled lOca
markets.