The leader., 1904-05-07

Again the indulgence of our read
ers is craved for mention of the i'm
portance of cattle feeding. Mississippi
farmers are just beginning to realize
the wonderful possibilities to be found
in cattle feeding. On every Missis-
s:ppi farm where the soil is good, grain
and forage can be produced at much
less cost than on the farms of the
North and West Besides, in cotton
seed products, Mississippi farmers
have a cheap and superior feed for
fattening cattle that, cannot with the
same degree of profit be utilized by
the farmers outside of the cotton pro-
ducing States. In Missouri, Illinois,
Iowa and Kansas the farmer
feeds from ten to fifty head of steers
each year, and nine out of ten of them
make good money by the operation.
Again, the bulk of the cattle going
into the feed pens in those States come
from the southern or the range States
of the Northwest, and cost the farmers
of these States, where fed, consider
ably more money than the same class
of cattle would cost the Mississippi
farmer. The Mississippi farmer has
every advantage over the brother in
the North and West With a fine dry
plenty of sunshine and few
storms, Mississippi is an ideal feeding
country. The time is not far distant
Nhen every progressive Mississippi
farmer will feed each season enough
good cattle to consume at least his
surplus grain and forage products, and
when this condition of affairs is
Brought about there will be fewer
mortgages on Mississippi farms and
more farmers with bank accounts.
Thu following information with re.
gard to the past accomplishment OF
Missi ssippi and Mississippians is fur
nishei by Capt. James Kincannon, of
Vero1!a. Lee county, and its authencity
is uaquestioned. Capt. Klncannon
is an enthusiast for progress along all
lines, and has been actively engaged
In the good work for years.
'Ir 1850, at the first worlds fair
held ir Paris, Mark R. Cockrell, of
Madison county, took first premium for
Merino wool over the worlds competi-
tion.
cat Vienna, in 1873, William Nc
Shan. Of Verona, took first premium,
81 500. for cotton. He also exhibited
this bale of cotton at several fairs in
the United States and realized the
snug little fortune of $4,000 from pre-
miums taken.
cat the Centennial Fair at Philadel-
phia, in 1876, the Mississippi Mills at
Wesson took first premium on jeans
woven from wool and cotton grown in
the State.
'In 1884, at New Orleans, the first
of the State in making ex-
hihits at fairs, the blue ribbon for
oranges over Florida and California
was captured, first premium for pears
over the world and was second only
tc the Ozark region in apples.
"The celebrated gullet gin was in
vented by citizen of Monroe county
and the round bale cotton compress
was invented by w. T. Bessonette, who
was reared in Verona"
This will give little insight into
the accomplishment of Mississippi in
the past, and with the honorable rec
ord shown, should incite her citizens to
renewed and greater effort in the flu
ture.
The cotton oil mills are closing
down for the season after one OF the
best runs for years. The volume of
business done in this line of manufac-
turing one of the cotton products is
stupendous to realize. Only a few
years back seed found but poor sale
at eight or ten cents per bushel and
were largely used as fertilizers. Now
the prevailing price is thirty cents and
a scramble ensues for them at that
figure. After extracting the most valu-
able product, the oil, the meal is used
for fertilizer and is said to be worth
just as much for that purpose as If
the oil, lint and hulls had been left in
IT, 1t will not be many years until
every mill will own and. operate its
own refinery and then something more
will be left at home where the seed Is
raised. This end is rapidly approach
ing and will mean much to oil mill
communities.
As education is the basis upon which
a commonwealth builds. Mississippi
seems to be laying splendid founda-
ton for building boom. On top OF
the immense amount of money ex-
pended upon free schools, hardly a
week passes that not one or more pri-
waite school is chartered. This goes to
prove that our people have the proper
appreciation for the fundamental work
to build great commonwealth.
Wfrk will soon be begun upon the
rev S100 1000 deaf and dumb institute
at Jackson. 1t will be erected upon
State property out west OF the depot.
The location is an admirable one for
tie institute. twenty-five thousand
dollars appropriated for purchasing a
site will be turned back into the State
treasury.
McComb City always has something
doing. Last week they had a rose
show down there that attracted much
attention and proved all right for the
promoters.
West Point is registering a healthy
kick for a union depot for the rail-
roads entering that enterprising town.
It can be depended upon that West
Point will go after what she wants, and
the encouraging feature of it is, she
usually comes out winner.
A cordial and hearty welcome is ex-
tended good people from every sec
ton of the country that may choose
to come and make their home with us.
Msssissippians pride themselves upon
So.