Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1907-05-01

SlnITkfDEW HC may udpp0u 10 VlblU, lS IN
TIM 3D. lasting and high class character Q
GpAEUT the improvements that are mad
49, in the, cities as we'll as on th
farm lands owned by the progressive tillers Of tn
soil.
In most OF the Southern states, the old planta
tion is being rapidly transformed into smslle
iarms in many instances dozens OF hardy husband
men now occupying and looking after tracts OF Ian,
heretofore included under one title and operated b.
q single owner. In other words the so-calIed smal
farmer seems to be supplementiDg the oldtime plant
er, and the change is most gratifying one in th
interest of the advancement of the section capabl
Of producing far more than has ever yet been de
manded of it.
This change naturally increases largely tn,
white population Of every county or communit,
where it obtains, and also the value Of the lanI q
divided up, by the forced substantial Improvement
that must follow.
Where few years ago large tracts OF land wer
owned by single individual, who was content {,
reside in one ''big house" Of old style architecture
design, with no other improvements upon the pre-
mises save the necessary negro shacks TO hons,
those who in sloppy manner made crops for him
today will be found dozen or more modern farm
houses, owned by men who have purchased par
Of the old plantation and transformed it into ,
modern home and farm to be largely attended to by
hisOwn hand. a&
In this manner the aggressive sections OF th,
SoGth are rapidly increasing in population, and th,
old fashioned plantation is passing away These
modern farmers are also bringing into use improved
agricultural tools, with which ore intelligent mar
can perform five or six times the work formerly
done by half dozen shiftless negro helpers.
In short, this transformation scene is 80 an
parent that one who has been away from any giyer
locality for fifteen twenty years, to return now
would hardly recognize the land marks of forme,
days.
While this condition is practically characteyis
tic Of the entire Southland today, it is especially &C
Of Mississippi whose people are really in earnest
abo6{ pushing forward, and as certainly as the
needle is drawn to the poll, or as straight as the
crow flies toward given point to which it is head.
cd, the grand old state is pushing forward with q
fixed determination to take it's rghtful place among
the foremost Industrial commercial aud agricultur
al states of the nation.
Naturally enough, when the farming section
about is moving forward the towns which must en-.
Joy and handle the trade Of such sections cannot
fail to advance and prosper by the movement. The
more densely populated the county is with akgres.
nive farmers, that more stable and prosperous must
become its county town.. The one naturally keeps
abreast the other certainly az the floating salvage
rides upon the crest Of the swollen stream after
Ireshet.
Coming TO the cities OF the state the lalmer ia
inspired BY the new and lasting improvements that
are presented to him. The solid blocks Of durable
business structures, filed with bright new goods,
and handled BY men Of pnsh and enterprise, in.
spires the producer Of wealth in the country 70 ally
himself more closely with his neighbOr in the city,
whose public spirit and determined attitude ID
symbClical Of certain prosperous campaign
throughout the future.
When the city TO which the agricultnralist is q
regular visitor takes on the attitude of aggressive
ness, sparing neither time nor money in making I'M
provements Of public character which alike are con-
veniences for All interested III their making, that
moment that town gains the confidence and respect
Ot the thOusands who make il their trading place,
their market for the things they have for SALE their
buying place for the supplies they require.
The substantial improvements being made in
almost every city in the state ci Mississippi today,
n the way public buildings, sidewalks, attractive
bnsiness honsea, ana everything chat 70 With such
populations are the nOace ol Joy, Che subject 81
favorable comment, with all who ate witnessing
them, They inspire The iarmsr 20 buid for himself