The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1904-08-13
another experlence that wi

be worsh much to the people who are
interested in trucking and fruit grow
ing It was sent to Mr.. w. B. Wiener,
Of Canton, vice-president Of the Great
er Mississippi Association for the
Eighth congressional district:
Dear Sir Complying with your re-
quest to give YOU my views and ex4
periences regarding investments in
Madison county, Miss, will state that
came to Canton In the winter of
1902, bought 80 acres of land in an
old field two miles northeast of town
that had not been cultivated for thir-
ty years. There was not even a fence
post on this land. / at once set to
work and built two-storied dwell
ing, large barn and all necessary out
houses. Have about i've miles of
fences, deep well, with wind mill
pump that carries water all over my
premises, both for stock and domestic
purposes. The water from this well,
which is 100 feet deep, is of the very
finest quality and inexhaustible. In.
March, 1908, set out Is acres of
peach trees~and two acres of apples
and plums. These trees are now from
six to eight feet high and were full of
the finest kind Of fruit this Year. Elk
perienced fruit growers here tell me
that can safely calculate on getting
profit of 500 per acre next year.
| also have a fine lot of grapes and
hye acres in Strawberries which paid
me handsome profits this year. have
in charge 80 acres Of land which be-
longs to a neighbor of mine in Val
paraiso, Ind; have ten acres of
peaches on the land besides corn and
COW peas. have ten acres of corn
planted the 10th of May which will
readily yield fifty bushels per acre, be-
sides 20 acres of cotton that my neigh
bors tell me will make bale per acre.
| have used some fertilizer and find
that the soil of this section yields more
readily to good treatment than any
soil that have ever seen. calculate
to clear $4,000 at least upon my so
acres Of ground this year. have so
acres planted in COW peas which
expect to yield ton per acre, and
which will net me So per ton in hay,
besides the roots fertilize the ground
to such an extent that it yields one
third more next year. These cow
peas are far superior to red clover
or anything else for restoring old
lands. My land cost me $50 per acre.
/ would not sell now for $50 per acre
cash. / had Ave acres in oats this
year which yielded IS bushels peracre,
and now have same land sown in COW
peas which will net me So per acre and
land will make so bushels of corn next
Fear per acre.
when came here eighteen months
since from Valparaiso, Ind, was bad
" crippled with rheumatism, which
had troubled me for years. In a fit of
desperation l decided to come South,
hoping to be relieved. am now
strong and hearty, can do as much
work as any negro in the country, and
would not go back North to live for
any consideration. My wife and little
girl are perfectly healthy and happy,
being delighted with the country and
people, who, by the way, are the clev-
crest and most hospitable that have
ever known. The labor is largely ne
groes. They are fine laborers, but re-
uuire looking after pretty closely. They
are the happiest and best natured peo-
pie in the world, are well treated, but
taught to know that the white race
Is superior. There is no such thing as
social equality here The negroes
have separate schools and churches
| and are perfectly contented with their
lot. Many Of them own little farms
and are really good citizens. There
are ten or twelve Indiana families In
my neighborhood, all perfectly con-
tented and making money. There is
really no such thing as politics in
Mississippi. Very few negroes vote,
nor do they take any interest in poll
tics. They are perfectly happy and
contented and the greatest harmony
exists between the races. Yours truly,
''W. B. FINNEY.D
What Mr.. Finney has done can be
done by any man who will work and
| use common sense along with the ex.
| penditure of his energy. We want
more good people to help in the de-
velopment Of our State.
Irish potatoes and cotton are raised
| IN the same land in the year by plant
ing close together in alternate rows.
The potato crop comes off before lay
| ing by time for the cotton and the
digging Of the potatoes cultivate the
cotton crop. Cant say that this is q
good scheme or not. but throw out the
hint SO that others may try and give
their experience later on. It is being
used and success claimed.
On September Yazoo county will
vote for or against the proposition to
have better roads. Much interest is
being shown and the result is not at
all in doubt. The proposition is to
work by contract. Let us all hope that
Yazoo will demonstrate the wisdom OF
such course.
Forest will soon have waterworks.
Material is being placed on the ground
and the plant will be completed By
| christmas. No town can afford to be
without these conveniences in this
progressive age.
There is a-move on foot to construct
! railroad from Hattiesburg to Pasca-
pouIa there connecting with deep
water and the Panama canal. Sew
erai good business men are behind
the move and hope to interest capital
lists in the project. Such road would
no doubt prove profitable to the own
ers. as well as develop large section
of fertile country.
There is always something to do IN
Mississippi.
-. q. -, ,.n,rs,S = Al q q.