Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-11-26
4 Potent Factor in state Development.

Mississippi is pre-emlnently a
State adapted to the growth OF
fruits, vegetables and flowers. No
industry, perhaps, has done 50 much
| to demonstrate what there is in dr.
| versifed and intensive farming in
the State as has that of trucking.
The Mississippi Agricultural and
Mechanical College is potent fac
tor in developing the horticultural
resources Of the State, and i'll dis
seminating useful knowledge to
those interested in garden and or
chard work.
Last session over three hundred
students were instructed in the art
of making the home garden and or
chard, and in the work of beautify-
ing the home premises. This ses-
sion quite as many students will Sc
cure similar instruction. The ma
| jor part of these students may never
complete their college course. Many
of them will go from the college to
enter other than agricultural pur-
suits. Be this as it may, the doctor,
the lawyer, the banker, the mer-
chant, the mechanic should be as
skilled in the art of home making
as is the farmer. 1t matters little
what vocation the student may fol-
low after leaving college, the knowl-
edge he has acquired of garden and
orchard craft and that of beautify-
ing natural surroundings with
grass, flowers. shrubs, trees, ETC.,
will sooner or later come to his aid
and find application daily in the
building Of his own home.
Each session the college receives
a number of applications for young
men qualified to take charge of truck
farms, nurseries, floral establish
ments, city parks, ETC., also for IN
structors in horticulture.
About three years ago a special
three-yea course of study and field
and laboratory practice was arranged
for the benefit of students who wish
to prepare themselves for such posi-
tions referred to above. As yet the
department is not as well equipped
as it should be for conducting this
proposed work with special students,
but the college is hoping to receive
such aid from the legislature as Will
enable this important work to be
carried on as is now being done in
many States at similar institutions.
1t is gratifying to note the in
creased interest being taken
throughout this State along all lines
of horticultural work. Every few
days notices appear in the papers of
newly organized truckers associa-
tions, floral club meetings, commit
tee work on tree planting, or other
rural decorations in cemeteries, city
parks, public squares, ETC. The
careful observer will also notice the
fact that in our towns and villages,
the well kept lawn, the flower gar
den, and the shady streets are of
late growing to be more common.
The diffusion of horticultural
knowledge is evident, too, in the
greatly improved appearance of our
country homes. Better attention is
being paid everywhere to the here
tofore too much neglected home
garden and orchard.
All this is as it should be; but a
more thorough organization is neces-
sary for the accomplishment of the
more efficient work. Truckers as
sociations should not stop at matters
of local import, but, for mutual in
terest and protection, should keep i'll
touch and working trim with SINH
lar organizations throughout the
State. So with nurserymen, florists
and other kindred interests.
Through farmers institutes, bulle-
tins and correspondence, the horti-
cultural department of the college
is endeavoring to keep in touch with
horticulturists all over Mississippi.
If those interested do not use the in
stitution, when and where it can
give assistance, the fault is theirs.
Every lover of horticulture should
lend his influence to the cause, and
should assist the college in organ
izing workers in every community
in the State. c. Hardy.