The Tupelo journal., 1906-12-14
As has already been noted in this d

partment, the Farmers Union of Yalo-
busha county recently pooled their cot
ton at Water Valley and invited buyers
to meet them there to effect a sale. Over
1900 bales were offered and the success
of the movement was everything that
could be desired. Middling cotton sold
at 11.20 and the lowest storm grade
brought $50, which was fully one-half
or three-quarters of q cent above the
ruling street prices for such cotton at
the time. The farmers had the situa-
ton well in hand and the success at
tanned further demonstrated the worth
of organization. A few bales offered
would only bring prevailing prices, but
in large lots the top of the market is
easily obtained. Estimating the increase
in price by pooling at one-half cent per
pound on the 1900 bales sold the plant
ers netted $4,000. If this is not a con-
vincing argument of the benefits to be
derived from organization it is nothing.
Just such undertakings or agreements
have made the great trusts with which
our country is overrun and it is abso-
lutely necessary that the farmers or
ganize to counteract their influence.
The Harvey farm near McComb City
is an example of what can be accom-
plished by intelligent handling of our
Mississippi. lands. 1t recently. produced
half a bushel of sweet potatoes that
contained only six of the tubers. Mr..
Morrow, the manager, has already
,.oI,aJ ,orar%on~ lo1n. &c ao{fN,, fron,
sixteen acres of land, and will gather
two or three bales more. On this same
land he raised enough cabbage in the
spring to pay for the entire cost of cul-
t~ivation and handling for the year. Over
100 hogs have been sold this year, and
a bountiful supply of milk, butter and
chickens provided. Some of this land
produced as high as two and a half
bales of cotton, the fact being vouched
for by reliable men. This is an example
of real farming, and is a testimonial
to the productiveness of the lands in
Pike county. What has been lone on
the Harvey farm can be done on thou
sands of others with the same intelli-
gent handling. 2
The Tupelo Journal and Aberdeen
Examiner have notices last week con-
corning cotton wrapped in material made
from low grades and comment favorably
on the feasibility of using storm cot
ton and linters for such a purpose. Yet
there are those who will contend that
such a scheme is a sophistry and i'm
practicable. 1t is a pity that the mo-
tives of such parties cannot be made
public. The jute trust has run the
price of ordinary bagging to where there
are a number of fibres that could be
used if the people would stand behind
the promoters of the project. There
will always be found those to look after
the interests of big manufacturers and
trusts, but what is greatly desired right
now is for men with backbone to assist
in checking the schemes of these fell
lows.
England made a total profit of 291
million dollars last year from the cotton
manufactured, of which the raw mate
rial was bought in the South. OF this
enormous sum AZ million dollars was
made from the cotton produced in the
State of Mississippi and exported. More
than half of what was received by our
planters for the entire crop. Is this
not an enormous sum to be allowed to
leave us when it could and should be
kept here at home? Our cotton should
be manufactured right here and this
immense profit kept where it rightfully
belongs. 1t is high time that our people
were becoming alive to the Importance
of such work and interesting themselves
in a movement that would insure a
change to our advantage.
The truckers zeal Holly Springs are
getting along nicely. The Reporter last
week announced that n man had sold
$500 worth of Strawberries from two
acres of land. Others have done nearly
as well, and it seems an assured fact
that the industry will be enlarged great
lv for next season. The land in that
section is a warm, sandy loan and there
is every reason why truckers should do
we'll up there.
The long list of stuff that can be
grown in Mississippi is being heightened
day by day. J. M. Holloway of Lauder
dale county is raising coffee and claims
that the plant is vigorous and healthy.
While it is as yet only an experiment,
it may develop that this plant can be
grown here successfully, thereby adding
to u money crops n that would keep
immense amounts of money at home.
The Masonic and Odd Fellows fra
ternities of Mississippi are engaged in
the laudable undertaking of providing
homes for the widows and orphans OF
their members. The Odd Fellows are
building at Hattiesburg and the Masons
at Meridian. This is a work that has
been neglected by these great orders,
and one that will at last become mon
uments to their teachings and practices.
w. X. Trigg of Quitman made at the
rate of 72O gallons of excellent syrup
from what is known as the Japanese
sugar cane. 1t is said to be the most
productive zane that can be planted in
this section of the country, and produces
a finely favored syrup.
Marx Schafer of Yazoo City has
touched the high water mark for Mis-
sissippi cotton, the bale exhibited at the
State fair and receiving the first prize
having brought "a cents at public auc-
ton. It wa an excellent quality of
long staple, raised from seed carefully
selected and properly handled. This re-
suit is a convincing argument for seed
selection and careful handling of cotton
to command q good price.
Senatobia is awakening to the adj
vantages Of an organization of business
men to look after the interests of the
city. The Democrat is leading the move
for such an organization.