The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1906-05-24

The work of establishing the De-
partment of Agriculture and Com
merce is under way and progressing
nicely. While the task of placing
this department on foot and making it
one of value, may be stupendous
one, it can be done and the writer has
severed all connection with other mat
tiers and will devote his entire time
TO the work. A number of the duties
set out in the act cannot be performed
from the fact that no appropriation
was made to cover the expense, but
the very best possible will be done
under existing circumstances. The
following letter was sent to each su-
pervisor in the State last week:
"Will you please furnish me by
June 1st list of all public and pri-
vate ginners in your supervisors dis
trict, together with their post office
addresses. l would appreciate a COM
plete list as l desire to call on them
for information during the year, and
the larger number reporting, the more
correct my information. This request
is made under the provisions of the
Act creating a Department of Agri-
culture and Commerce, and will | trust
meet with a cheerful and hearty res
ponse The assistance and co-opera
tion of all who are interested in the
welfare of Mississippi is especially
desired in the establishment of this
new department, and making it one
of value to the agricultural people of
the State. Thanking You in advance
for prompt compliance with this
request, and assuring you of my de-
sire to aid every movement looking
to the betterment Of conditions in our
great State, beg to remain"
With the cooperation of the asses
sors, supervisors and ginners, upon
all of whom the Commissioner is Civ
en- authority to call for information
at will, system of gathering reliable
statistics can be formulated, and that
without working hardship or serious
Fly inconveniencing any one. The pur-
pose will be to develop the system
gradually and upon safe grounds Par
ties not included in the above, and
who are willing to assist the depart
ment with occasional reports, are re-
quested to send in their names and
post office addresses. Their help will
be highly appreciated.
There is a ray of light for cotton
oil producers when the fact is con-
sidered that the production last year
was 10000 barrels less than the pre-
ceeding year. The crop was short last
year and the crushers of course has
less seed to work upon. The consump-
ton steadily increases, both at home
and abroad, and barring the manipula-
ton of the trust, thep rice bids fair to
be better in the near future. There is
very little surplus on hand, estimated
to be less than 10000 barrels, and mill
men can get from this some consola-
tion at least The production for the
past years was as follows:
Barrels.
1896 ..... 80. ,199, 900
1900 ...... .......... ....I ,9oO,OOU
1906 ............. .... .2,50O,0O0
These figures are for the season end
ing in year named. The high water
mark was reached in 1905 when the
production was 3,4Oo,OOO barrels.
The largest export was made in
1905 when 563, $50 gallons were
sent across the waters. The export
for this year promises to be as great
although the production was some
thing like 5O,O0O,OOO gallons less. SO
it would seem if these figures are cor
rect, and the prominence of the par
ty giving them precludes the question
ing of their authenticity, that the mill
men will very likely realize better
price for the product this fall as will
the farmer for his seed. The impor-
tance of the seed crop is now fully
realized by the farmer, and an oppor-
tunity for better price for that COM
modify is Of interest along with the
price for the staple.
Among the several duties outlined
for the Commissioner of Agriculture
and Commerce there appears clause
as follows: "He shall collect speci-
mems of wood suitable for manufac-
ture and other purposes and speci-
mems of agricultural, mineral, phos-
phate and mari deposits of the state;
cause correct analysis of such as may
be deemed expedient to be made, and
recorded in a substantial book to be
kept for that purpose. While this
was ordered done by "shall,". no
appropriation was made to cover the
expense of such analysis and if it is
done, some one with a rich vein of
philanthropy must be found to supply
the deficiency. Parties who have an
analysis of any of the articles emu
merated are invited to send them i'm
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