The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-09-12

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liable labor is Of greater Importance
than anything that confronts the peo-
pie of Mississippi at present. 1t has
been thus for some time, and instead
Of growing better, is getting worse
year by year. 1t has been the sub
jest cf much discussion and expert
ment for some time, the success at
tending these varying. If we would
have a "Greater Mississippi" in
truth, it is necessary that our agricul-
tural resources be develoned and the
lands be made to produce Of the
world S needs. Communications on
this subject are invited, realizing that
it is an important matter worthy OF
careful consideration. Hon. Clarence
H. Poe, Of Raleigh, N. c., editor of
the Progressive Farmer, and one of
the best agricultural publications in
the South, recently made trip
through this section for the purpose
Of studying the labor problem. He
wrote an interesting and instructive
letter on the subject from Greenville,
that was given wide publicity, and at
tracted a great deal Of attention. He
also wrote the editor Of this depart
ment as follows
ga recent trip through the South
has convinced me that the sections
where small white farmers predomi-
nate are making twice as rapid prog
ress as are the sections where the ne
groes are in the majority. I am writ
ing to ask your opinion Of this view.
l know county, for example, where
in ten years the northeast section,
with small white farmers, has in
creased land values from So to $25
per acre; the southeast corner land,
with negroes butchering it, has de-
creased from $15 to $40. What is
your observation9 Are the negroes
keeping up the fertility of the lands
they farm7 Are the counties where
whites predominant making more
progress in wealth and industry than
the black belt counties? Do you not
find that in many sections white peo-
pie have taken hold on poorer land
and beaten negroes on richer? Please
run over the subject in your mind and
give me your opinion with just as
many specific instances and exam
Piles as you can think Of, and assure
you that the favor will be greatly ap-
preeeiated.
There is but one way in which Mr..
Poe IS letter can be answered. His
deductions are correct in the general
sense Of the word. The experience Of
dozens Of communities in Mississippi
could be produced to prove it. While
all lands have advanced some, the
greatest increase will be found in
communities titled by white people :
Ridgland, Crystal Springs and 9th
ers, as an instance. Negro labor is
becoming more unreliable and some
plan must be conceived to supply 4
substitute. The most feasible one yet
offered, has been to cut the big plan
tations into small farms and induce
good white people from other sections
to own and work them. There may
be others. Let it be known if you
have a rolution to offer for this vexed
problem.
w. M. Bamberg, Of the United
States department Of agriculture, re-
ports a pleasing state Of affairs in
Madison county. w. B. Kinney has
threshed this year a total Of $4,000
bushels Of oats in section where
practically none were threshed last
season. It is also stated that acre
age for next year will be 1<sbled.
The yield averages thirty-fve bushels
per acre, which in itself is an item of
interest. Mr.. hamburg further states
that the straw, which is usually all
item Of loss, was baled and sold on
contract for So per ton. For what it
is was not stated, but the fact that it
has value is gratifying, indeed. This
denoes healthy state Of affairs in
the section surrounding Canton. It
means, in the first place, that stuff
has been raised that would ordinarily
have taken $21 900 out Of the country
next season. This much money has
been saved. Then, too, it means that
the spirit Of Investigation has gained
a foothold that will increase as time
goes by. The section that raises oats,
hay, hogs, muls and other farm neces-
sizes, is sure to take its place in the
list Of those most prosperous and with
a happy and satifed people.
Although there is an impression to
the contrary, reailble statistics go to
how that majority Of the cotton
raised in Mississippi is done by white
people, and not negroes. The average
per acre is larger on farms worked by
the whites than by negroes, also.