Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1905-02-11

One Of the most interesting exhibits
at the Corn and Cotton Carnival was
that of the cassava plant, the growing
of which is one of the new industries
along the Gulf and Ship Island road,
between Jackson and Gulfport, 1t Is
cultivated for its starchy root, which
Is used extensively for food and for
stock feed. and for manufacture OF
starch. 1t Is a native of Brazil and Is
classified by the department Of agri-
culture as member OF the milkweed
| family. However, in appearance, IL
| has no resemblance to the milkweed,
but when growing might be taken for
a shrub variety Of buckeye. II grows
from twelve to fourteen feet high and |
| branches repeatedly, making a plant |
| of rare beauty that is both ornamental |
and useful Prof. S. NJ. Tracy, special
agent of the United States depart |
ment Of agriculture, bureau Of plant
| industry who sent number OF fine
specimens of cassava to the carnival, |
says:
| During the last two years n great
amount OF work has been done in o
study of cassaya, especially in attempt
| ing to find the most productive va
rieties, and also to find varieties which
NAV extend the possible limit Of its
cultivation to localities further north.
At the present its cultivation Is limited
to Florida and the immediate Gull
coast. but 1t is more than possible that,
bv selecting seed from the earliest
maturing sorts, and by continued cul-
tiyation in cooler regions. its area FOR
profitable cultivation may be greatly
extended Up to about two years ago
only two varieties were known in the i
United States, though fifty or more
varieties were cultivated in South
American States. These varieties diff
fer greatly in the relative proportions
of starch which they contain, some
having double the amount found In
others. OF course the varieties having
the greatest percentage of starch In
the roots is the one which is most
profitable for cultivation. In the work
which we are doing we have secured
a large number of varieties from Porto
Rico, Jamaica and other tropical coun-
tries and now have forty-two distinct
varieties growing on my place in Bi-
loxi.
"The principal practical uses OF cas-
sava in this country are for the manu-
facture of starch, and for feeding cat
tie and hogs. In Florida there are
now three large factories for manu-
featuring starch. which is used mostly
for sizing by the manufacturers OF
cotton goods. Excepting in the i'm
mediate region of starch factory, the
crop is grown for stock feed, and for
that purpose is growing very popular
in all the Cuff coast region. AS
feed it takes the place of corn, and as
It's yield is much greater while expense
for cultivation is about the same, 1t Is
much moro profitable.
This season | had forty-two va
rieties growing in Biloxi, and now
have a chemist engaged in making
, analyses to determine the relative
value of the different sorts, | have
already made arrangements for the I'M
portation of large number OF dit'
ferent varieties from South America,
and propose to follow up the work in
every possible direction until we are
able to demonstrate that the crop Is
one that may be made profitable in
certain parts Of the country-or that
It is worthless. We are making no at
tempt to boom it, and we are endeav-
oring to state nothing but demon
r strated facts. What we are trying to
do is to learn the real truth regarding
. It's value. From what we have already
learned we do not hesitate to recon-
fA, o,l
Florida, and for many other localities
along the coast. But we are not ready
to say how far north IT. may be grown
' or what may be the best methods foI
S its treatment 1t is a problem upon
which we are working. but one which
4 has not as yet been solved"
q The Mississippi Worlds Fair Bureau
= has wound up its business and gone
: out of existence Over $4,000 of the
100000 appropriated has been turned
u back into the State treasury as a re
l suit of good financierng on the part
: of the bureau The exhibit was goot
= one and well worth the price 1t cos
S the people of the State.
S The good old county of Wilkinson
: lying in the extreme southwestern cor
f ner of the State, was well represented
4 at the Corn and Cotton Carnival, ant
its progressive citizenship manifested
!, their energy and enterprise in man
= ner highly credtable. True the eX
hibt was not so large and comprehen
II sive as some, still the quality of prod
/" ucts shown were well up with any
/ thing from any section of the State
Centreville was the place from whicl
J. the greater part of 1t emanated, AM
o the room set apart for its use was wei
n displayed and made attractive in ever
way. The most attractive feature o
this exhibit was the products OF tn
% Red Snapper Sauce Company, which
y domiciled at Centreville, and Is re-
hot proposition in more ways than one
i Every conceivable kind of relish, cond
Is ment, sauce, etc, was shown In tn
1t greatest profusion. The quality OF tn
S, goods shown was pronounced equal t
ANYTHING on the market, and the gran
Sc prize was awarded them. 1t was
credit, indeed, to the live gentleme
y who constitute the company, and thei
~ efforts will result in substantial benef
To all concerned. In the large list
1t fresh vegetables shown, the new Gro
)f of Irish potatoes were the best at tn
a carnival, and the grand prize wa
ID awarded this exhibit, also. They wer
second-crop, and as smooth and perfeC
as ever seen in the South. Some e.
~ ceptionally fine hay was in this room
- and many were the complimentary e.
y pressions heard concerning it. 1t wa
a revelation to many that such
N quality could be produced in the Stat
ly New beets of large size and fine tex
s. ure we're also shown, proving III
e claim that in that section 1t was po
ae sible to have vegetables the whole YET
in round. Canned goods of varied kint
Ia were shown and we're richly deservlr
y Of complimentary mention Willlinsc
y county Is well adapted to the raisir
or of fruits and vegetables, and the ca
ming factory is a protection again
te loss from any cause. Sugar cane
b. splendid proportion composed part
lie the exhibit, and also rice, oats al
of other farm produce. 1t was ma
ID niflcent demonstration of what can
accomplished in our favored land wht
=, the effort Is made Pity It's that son
y. of the teeming thousands OF people
the crowded East could not have SCI