The Tupelo journal., 1907-07-26
BY H. e. BLAKESLEE, JACKSON.

Hon. Walter Clarke, president of the
Mississippi division of Southern Cotton
Association, has just returned from a
two months stay in Europe, where he
has been making a thorough investiga-
ton 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 it
is poorly baled and usually arrives at
its foreign destination in a bad condi-
ton. That the laborers who handle it
over there do so in q rough manner
and give as their reason that the peo-
pie over here do not care anything for
it, and should they? The United States
government has published a great deal
along this score and urged u 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
hat he will meet with a hearty recep-
ton 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 a letter en-
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 it each week.
T. w. Barron of Alonzo, Miss, writes
just such a letter. He says hat 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 ar
acre with the plants, numbering about
a thousand. From this piece of ground
AZ crates were sold that brought S44. SO.
After taking off the tomatoes the ground
was PloAUCd LII POUduOCS III 1 v ID dLl-
ticipated that a good crop of these will
be gathered. This is a valuable expe-
rience from a man who has actually
performed this feat during the year and
is worth much more than a theory would
be. 1t is to be hoped that others will
do as Mr.. Barron has done and let it 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-
tions 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
a horse in the past twenty years and
always has plenty of good stock on
hand. Moreover, during this time he
has sold a considerable number of
horses to his less fortunate neighbors
and always keeps what he needs at
home. 1t is also stated hat 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 neiehbors.
Crops prospects are still very poor in
Mississippi, despite the recent weeks of
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
l as against 81 per cen by the United
States department. This report was
made by the supervisors in regular
meeting and was undoubtedly approx
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 a sacred duty you have to
perform.
Remember that Mississippi is the
best State under the sun and peopled
by a generous, noble and true citizen
ship. .ssx.
Pythian Day.
Mississippi Pythias are looking for
ward to July 80, which is to be Pythian
day at the Crystal Springs C%hautauqua,