Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-05-12

The editor OF this department has
been appointed Commissioner of Agri-
culture and Commerce under the law
passed by the legislature creating a
new branch of the State government.
Such department has been asked for
by various commercial and agricultural
organizations a number of times during
the past several years. The Mississippi
Business Mems League unanimously
passed resolution in 1902 asking for
its creation, The Greater Mississippi
Association indorsed the request in
1908, and since its organization the
Mississippi division of the Southern
Cotton Association has been especially
active in the endeavor to have the de-
partment established, and suggested the
lines along which it could be made of
especial benefit to the agricultural peo-
ple of the State. While the approprla-
tion available will not allow of the
commissioner anything like what could
be done profitably for the farmer and
cotton producer, there is an opportunity
to do great deal Of preliminary work
and establish department that will
eventually be worth incalculable sums
created. The writer will devote his
entire time and attention, eXerting
every energy to make it effective of
rood, and in this effort asks the CO.
operation of all who are interested in
the future of our great State 1t be-
longs to the people, and none are too
humble to occupy station in life that
their counsel and advice will not be APP
preciated and carefully considered.
The Greater Mississippi" department
in the county papers, which has been
conducted for several years for the ag
riculmral, industrial and commercial
advancement of the State, will be made
the official organ of the Mississippi
Department of Agriculture and Com
mercc, and every man who reads his
county paper will have an opportunity
Of keeping in touch with the working
Of the department. Short articles on
matters pertaining to the department
from farmers, fruit or truck growers,
stock men, merchants or others will be
given space, and by general inter-
change of ideas and suggestions from
tb,,sa it, y-a, vi eAaftpt,u ~ tho Gtuta
much good should be accomplished.
Then, too, in portions of the State there
is an Oyerplus of one commodity that is
in demand in another. This condition
can be taken advantage of by furnish
ing to those who have vegetables to
sell market for their product, to those
who raise surplus Of chickens and
eggs place for their disposition, etc.
This is not intended to be an outline of
general plan upon which the depart
ment will be organized, but is sugges-
tlon as one or two of the possibilities.
The writer desires to express his sin
cere appreciation to the several thou
sand good citizens who indorsed him for
the appointment, and respectfully asks
for their cooperation and active as
slStance in bringing the department to
state of perfection where the greatest
benefits will be derived. 1t is yours,
and oyour interest will largely be due
the success attained.
II would seem from recent press re-
ports that the old problem of trust CON
troll Of everything now threatens the
cotton farms as well as the product
Itself, English capitalists and cotton
spnncrs are reported to have bought
thousands upon thousands OF acres Of
land in the South for the purpose of
raising cotton for their mills. The re-
cent visit of representatives of the
English Cotton Spinners' Association to
this section is said TO have been for the
purpose of looking the territory over
and arranging to acquire large bodies
OF land for the production of cotton
While this may not have been alto
gether true, it will likely be a condition
TO meet in the near future. The Cotton
Association is looking after the interest
OF the producer so we'll that the spin
ners will make an effort to still get the
raw cotton at their own prices. They
nope TO force tho Southern cotton
planter to raise cheap cotton to keep
their mills running as in the past. Let
US hope that such condition of affairs
will never again prevail down here.
W. c. Welborn, Philippine Secre-
tary OF Agriculture, and for years con-
nected with our agricultural and me-
chanical college, is furnishing some
hlghly interesting and valuable articles
Tor the Farm Gazette at Starkville.
Prof. Welborn is thoroughly practical
man and capable of giving good and
wholesome advice to the farmer.
fCapt. P. X. Mayors Of the Pasca-
goula Democrat Star gets to the press
meeting at Gulfport, it will be the for
ty-second he has attended. He is the
only charter member of the association
living, all others having passed into
lhe great beyond. The prsss brethren
unanimously hope to have the pleasure
ol meeting him again on that occasion.
byhalia citizens are preparing to
build city hall that will be credit to
the town as well as greet convenience
to the officials.
Mississippi City Is beautifying a large
spot OF ground and will soon be in pos
session of one Of the prettiest parks in
the State. 1t will be greatly enjoyed
py the visitors to that popular resort as
well as the citizens who make it their
permanent home.
A Biloxi terrapin fisherman caught
lo4 terrapins on one trip that sold for
an average price Of s2l.00 per dozen.
That was not bad week work, to say
the least Of it. There is money In ter
rapin fishing.