Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1906-09-08

! ton memorializing the Legislature to
create department of immigration and
industries, or such other name as was
thought best. A year later the Greater
| Mississippi Association passed similar
reoIution and appointed committee to
present the matter and assist in having
such law passed Then came the Mis-
sissippi Division of the Southern Cot
ton Association, with a resolution unan-
imously passed in annual meeting ask
| ing that a department of agriculture,
| statistics, etc, be created, with an APP
preparation sufficient to enable the com.
missioner to collect and distribute data
concerning the condition, reports from
| ginners and everything Of interest rela-
tive to the great Mississippi crop in
prospect in which practically 100000 900
is in prospect today The creation of
the department is due more to the good
work of this association than any other
cause, although the appropriation for
maintenance almost prohibits the accom-
plishment of anything as especially
asked for by the members.
Mississippi was the last State to ere
ate such a department in the South,
every other one having been supplied
for years with excellent working offices
that are deemed among the most i'm
portant and valuable of State govern
ment. Now that Mississippi has con
cluded to give such a department trial
and experiment, it must be Judged from
the meager appropriation made The
! question is often asked as to what are
! the duties of the commissioner and
what benefits are to be derived from his
work? This question would be hard to
answer in its entirety from the fact
that the construction of the law allows
to the commissioner a great scope for
his operations. Many duties are out
lined more fully, but a clause in the act
reads like this: "Ile ithe commissioner
shall encourage the proper development
of agriculture, horticulture and kindred
industries In another place, and in
speaking of the qualifications of the
commissioner the following language
appears: "Who shall have competent
knowledge of agriculture, mining, stats
tics and general industries 1t would
seem from the indulgence in such gene
ralities as the above that the commits
sioner was given considerable scope in
his operations for the benefit of the
people of Mississippi, every interest be,
ing fully provided for and some that
are not yet on our list.
The principal object for which the
| Cotton Association desired the establish
ment of such department, and which
was clearly set forth by Mr.. Clark and
other officials of the Association, was
an accurate reporting system by which
our farmers could intelligcntly keep in
touch with the conditions of our great
est crop, cotton, and thereby fortify
themselves against spectators and
sharks, who prey upon the ignorance of
the cotton raiser generally us to what
his cotton is actually worth and what
price he should get before selling. The
appropriation asked for to put this sys-
TEN into operation was not forthcom
ing and practically nothing can be done
along that particular line. However,
the commissioner is formulating the sys-
TEN and appointing reporters with the
hope that they may become acquainted
with the requirements and conditions
imposed, and that when the legislative
bodies again convene, money sufficient
to carry on this great work will be
cheerfully given. A great deal of work
and the exercise of much patience will
be necessary to develop this system into
the valuable institution designed, but
with twenty months in which to do this
work before the legislative bodies con
vene it is hoped that showing can be
made that will appeal to them for sub
stantial recognition in the way Of a rea.
sonable appropriation.
The act relates that the commissioner
shall encourage the organization of ag
ricultural clubs and associations, and
out of these the organization of a State
Agricultural Association. Just at pres
ent the field fCr operations under this
provision is somewhat limited from the
| fact that the Cotton Association. the
| Farmers Union and the National Gin
ners' Association have numbers OF or
ganizers working throughout the State
and organizing the farmers at every
cross roads into what are no more nor
less than agricultural clubs. A State
! Horticultural Association has already
been formed and the provisions of this
act will have been complied with in
due time.
Another duty is the collection and
4 publication of data and information re-
| garding all industries of the State, and
of other States where it NAY be of in
| terest to our people The commissioner
is ordered to put himself in connection
with and in cooperation with the agri-
| cultural departments of other States and
with the Commissioner of Agriculture
at Washington. Also that he shall dis
! tribute all documents and information
coming into his possession that may be
of interest and benefit to the people
These provisions are being complied with
as fast as possible, The work of dis
tributing the literature as well as get.
ting hold of it, is being vigorously pros
ecuted The United States authorities
have sent several thousand pieces, which
is sent out on request along with that
from the State Department, The soil
surveys have proven especially valuable
and have been eagerly sought by the
farmers in the areas covered. The ne
cessity of securing bulletins from the
United States government, when they
can be had upon subjects of interest to
our people, is important from the fact
that little money is available for such
purposes by the State Department.
A number of "shalls' that cannot be
complied with from a lack of funds APP
pear in the act, but in some instances
the commissioner will be able to accom-
plish great deal by the cooperation
of the people of the State who are inter
ested in the work. Among these is one
that orders collection of woods, agri-
cultural, mineral, phosphate, etc. with
an analysis of the same to be made and
recorded in a substantial book provided
for that purpose With the assistance
of number throughout the State, not
ably the A. and NJ. College officials, this
book now contains the analysis of some
thing like 200 samples OF waters, phos
pilates, marls, clays, etc. This number
is continually increasing and the kint
cooperation of the people is respectfully
solicited.
One matter of great Importance il
enumerated in the act, and one tha
should receive especial attention. Tha
is an investigation and report on th'