The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-01-31

the people this year for their person
al assessment, they will bring along a
blank to be filed with statistics con-
corning the agricultural products of
the state. The blank this year will
contain something like dozen ques-
tions. When filed it will be forward
ed to the department of agriculture
and commerce for tabulation and pub
lication in accordance with the law
creating that department. The stat
istics desired are valuable if properly
taken. A great deal u extra work IS
thus put upon the assessors, and that
without compensation, and this artl-
Gle is for the purpose Of acquainting
the people with the questions that
will appear on this blank so that they
can have the information at hand and
lessen the work Of the assessors. A
landlord can give in the statistics for
all his tenants If he is In possession
of the facts and this would simplify
the work greatly. By having the in
formation at hand, the assessor can
fill out the blank in a minute or two
and the people are respectfully urged
to do this as far as possible. The first
question is, how many acres in cot
ton? This means for the year 1906
for which the statistics are desired.
How many balesq If you cultivated
twenty acres in cotton and gathered
nine bales, have these figures ready
when the assessor comes. The next is
how many acres in corn and how
many bushels gatheredq If the far
mer had twenty acres in corn and
gathered 400 bushels, give it in that
way. Wheat, oats, barley, rye and
rice are similarly handled. Then
comes the hay and forage crop. If
the planter had ten acres in hay and
forage and gathered thirty tons, the
answer will he easily given. Tho
question Of how many sheep you have
and tho amount Of wool sheared is
important. Many persons do not
know exactly how many sheep they
have running at large, but the num-
Der can be closely estimated. The
clip Of wool is more easily furnished.
The question Of how many hogs and
pounds Of meat killed can be easily
answered. If man had twenty hogs
killed six that weighed 1900 pounds.
it will be no trouble to so state it.
Without any hesitation every man
can tell how many horses, mules,
jacks and jennets he has. Goats will
be little harder from the fact that
some will have to estimate this mum
Der. It is especially desired to get
an approximately correct estimate on
the number of goats, as the industry
is growing one that is deserving
Of attention. The two questions con-
corning cattle are important. First,
how many head Of cattle altogether
and then how many head Of milch
COWS. A more complete report on
cattle and dairying was at first anti
cipated, but in view Of the normity
Of the work this information has been
confined to two inquiries. The peo-
pie are respectfully urged to coop
crate with the assessors In this work
to the end that the information OBJ
tanned may be complete and Of value.
Almost the entire number have ex-
pressed a desire to make the work
thorough and correct, hoping that
thereby they will have better claim
upon the Legislature for remuneration
that was not provided at the time the
department. was created. 1t was Gre
ated for the benefit Of the agricul-
tural, horticultural and commercial
people of the state and their earnest
cooperation is desired to make it of
value.
Natchez is preparing for Mardi
Gras on q larger and grander scale
tim ever, the festivities to begin OIL
Feb. 18th. A first class warship has
been secured for the occasion, low
rates on all railroads have been grant
ed and the parades will be more gor-
geous and spectacular than on prvious
occasions. The enterprise displayed
by the good citizens Of Natchez IS de-
serving Of encouragement by the peo-
pie Of Mississippi. They offer as
much as can be found anywhere in
the way Of amusement, and our home
people should show their appreciation
BY encouraging them with their at.
tendance. The writer attended these
celebrations at Natchez and is in a
position to say that they compare ia
vorably with the gala events Of cities
much larger than Natchez.
Judge Cochran Of Meridian his
closed the bucket shops in his district
without the aid Of laws other than are
on our statute books. A few more