The Grenada sentinel., 1906-12-15

The writer finds great satisfaction in
the reception received at the hands OF
the metropolitan press of his efforts to
do something for the cotton planters in
securing appropriations from t,.s United
States government for extending the
market for cotton and cotton ,nanufac-
tured goods in domestic and foreign
markets. A resolution was drafted by
a committee of which he was chairman,
and adopted by the association at Jack
sonville, Fla, which is being sent to ev-
cry member of Congress, together with
a personal letter from the commissioner
of the State represented, urging that
these appropriations be continued and in
creased as results warrant. The press
is taking up the slogan and doing ex-
cellent service in the campaign. The
following from the Memphis Commercial
Appeal is similar to editorial utterances
from the cotton producing section of the
country:
Recently We had occasion to ask
what had become of the movement look
| ing to the advancement of the cotton
trade with China. The answer is made
| in the resolution which was adopted in
the conference of Southern State COM
missioners of agriculture, held at Jack
sonville. 1t is as follows:
Whereas, Cotton is the principal
money crop of the South; that this will
continue to be so for years to come is
matter about which there can be no
difference of opinion. We note with a
degree of great satisfaction that the
United States Congress at it's last ses-
sion appropriated a small sum to be
used in the commendable work of eX
tending the market in foreign fields;
therefore, be.it
Resolved, That we, the Southern
States commissioners of agriculture and
agricultural workers, in the eighth an
nual convention, convened in the city of
Jacksonville, Fla, take advantage of
this, the first opportunity, to express
our appreciation of the recognition
given our greatest crop and heartily
commend the good work undertaken for
the benefit of the cotton planter and the
manufacturer, and urge our Southern
congressman and senators to use every
effort to secure adequate appropriations
for the active continuance of this work.
"This means that there are still live
men in the trenches; that there is yet
valiant fighting going on to give the
South some little of that Federal aid
which has been bestowed so lavishly
upon Northern and Eastern industries.
We are given to understand that with
the help of small appropriation for
the advancement of this work, and q
friendly hand from the Federal govern
ment, trade relations with China alone
could be so vastly enhanced that 25,-
100000 bale crop would be consumed
with the ease with which present trade
relations with the world devour a 12,-
100000 bale crop. Certainly here is an
honest incentive for government action.
How much purer, more universally bene-
fetal and more decently honest for the
government to spend money in this
cause than to waste it in a ship sub
sidy steal. We recommend the resolu-
tion Of the Jacksonville conference to
every honest member of the house and
every senator to carry it into execution,
and we would exhort every Democrat
among, them and every Republican who
does not believe in robbing the many to
enrich the few to arm themselves with
this resolution and play it, card for
card, upon the table as sound and
honest trump against the grand larceny
of the ship subsidy measure"
The dozens of supposed to be improved
cotton seeds that are being offered plant
ers at fancy prices bring to the front
again the fact that any farmer by the
process of selection can improve his seed
and in a short time make them almost,
if not quite so good, as any offered. By
q system of neglect he can in the same
short time run down the best to ordi-
nary cotton. F. M. Berryhill, of Aline,
ASlite county, verifies this fact in a let
ter to the writer of recent date. He
says: "T write you a few lines to let
the thousands who read your department
weekly know what can be accomplished
bv system of seed selection in improv-
ing our crops. In the year 1898 l had
nv entire cotton crop planted in what
was known as the Brandon cotton. l
found few stalks that were extra good,
and from these 1 carefully picked the cot
ton, had it ginned separately and planted
in a patch to itself next year. [ have
been doing the same thing every year
since, and now have cotton that IS
very early and prolific. On good land
and with proper cultivation it will make
two bsles to the acre, and a 500-pound
bale from 1900 to 1900 pounds of dry
seed cotton. 1t has small seed, large
bolls and is easily picked. A neighbor
this fall got a 53O-pound bale from
1,270 pounds of seed cotton. L Nm a |
firm believer in improved seeds of all |
kinds, and what / have done can be ac- |
by any farmer that will take
the time and precaution. I am still
young map only 80 years of age, have
been farming all my life, and expect to
keep it up. 1 cannot see why so many |
young men want to leave the country |
and 90 to town when the farm offers so |
much to those who will use their energy |
and brains in the right dire, ,tion. pre-
fer to live in the country, raise fine cot
ton, good corn, duroc jersey hogs and
Rhode Island red chickens"
There is still an effort being made to
find oil in Mississippi. A company has
been formed in Clay county by reliable
men who, with the assistance of an oil
expert, will bore to see what is under
naafb tho surfaea Some work has been