Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1907-07-25
BIT II. E. BLAKEsLEE. JAcx.o..

Hon. Walter Clarke, president of the
Mississippi division Of Southern Cotton
Association, has Just returned from
two months stay in Europe, where he
has been making thorough investiga-
tion OF the cotton industry with special
relation to the needs of the planters in
preparing it for shipment and better
methods in general. Mr.. Clarke finds
that there is a strong sentiment against
American cotton from the fact that IL
Is poorly baled and usually arrives at
its foreign destination in a bad condi-
tion. That the iaborers who handle IL
over there do so in q rough manner
and give as their reason that the peo-
pie over here do not care anything for
1t, and should they? The United States
government has published a great deal
along this score and urged our planters
to adopt better methods, but seemingly
with little effect. The advance in price
paid would no doubt more than bal
ance the additional cost of baling for
export. Mr.. Clarke will make a tour
OF Mississippi in behalf Of a movement
for better baling, and it is to be hoped
that he will meet with a hearty recep-
tion and that plans for improvement
will be evolved. 1t is an important
matter deserving of the careful consid-
GRAFTON of all who are interested in the
South's great money crop-cotton.
1t is refreshing to receive letter eu-
dorsing this department and the work
that is being attempted and at the same
time something OF interest and value to
the thousands who read II each week.
L. w. Barron OF Alonzo, Miss, writes
just such a letter. He says that he
reads what is published and profits
thereby and offers his mite in the way Of
experience. Mr.. Barron says that he
bought 40 cents worth of tomato seed
in the spring and set one-fourth of an
acre with the plants, numbering about
thousand. From this piece of ground
~ crates were sold that brought ~. 93.
After taking of the tomatoes the ground
was planted in potatoes and il is an
ticipated that good crop Of these viii
be gathered. This is valuable expe-
ricnce from man who has actually
performed this feat during the year and
is worth much more than theory would
be. 1T is to be hoped that others will
do as Mr.. Barron has done and let 1t be
known what they have accomplished
and how it was done.
Gradually the stock raising industry
of Mississippi is increasing, but then
not nearly so fast as it should. Condi-
tious are especially favorable for stock
raising as has been proven on many
occasions. As an example, the Exam
iner at Aberdeen says that Hon. Wal
ter Heard Of West Point has not bought
horse in the past twenty years and
always has plenty of good stock or
hand. Moreover, during this time he
has sold 4 considerable number of
horses TO his less fortunate neighbors
and always keeps what he needs at
home. Ii is also stated that he does
not feed grain, but keeps his stock fat
on alfalfa and other hay crops. At
any rate this is another evidence that
Mississippi can and should raise mules
and horses, not only enough for home
consumption, but a surplus for her less
fortunate neishbors.
Crops prospects are still very poor in
h..r II
favorable weather. True it is, that
cotton is doing finely, but the principal
trouble lies in the fact that it is thirty
days late and an unusually late fall will
be necessary to make anything like a
medium crop. The report from the
State department of agriculture was
only 63 per cent as to condition on July
as against 81 per cent by the United
States department. This report was
made by the supervisors in regular
meeting and was undoubtedly approxi-
mately correct. The crop is necessarily
short and the price that it will command
should be unusually good.
Thursday. August l. is the date set
for the first primary election for State
and county officials. Political interest
is overshadowing everything else just
at present, but the agony will soon be
over and the people can again turn to
the development of plans looking to-
ward a Greater Mississippi" Every
citizen should 60 to the polls and vote
for good and safe men TO look after
their affairs for the next four years. 1t
is one OF the important duties of good
citizenship
Lay aside personal preferences next
week at the polls and cast your vote
for the men you believe will make the
best officials for both county and State
places. 1t is u sacred duty you have to
perform.
Remember that Mississippi is the
best State under the sun and peopled
by generous, noble and true citizen
ship. -
Pythian Day.
Mississippi Pythias are looking for