The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1907-12-19
y \. I BLAKEsLxE. jackson, Mss.

! The work Of compiling statistics by
the department of agriculture and
commerce of the agricultural products
of the state for the year 1906, is
about complete and the result will be
published in the Bulletin of January.
The facts thus obtained are interest
ing ana valuable, although possibly
not absolutely correct, nothing Of the
kind ever having been attempted be-
fore. 1t lays the foundation for a
more complete enumeration in the fu-
| ture and makes comparison pos
sible.
Cotton being the principal products,
it is interesting to know that from the
returns made, that number Of coun-
ties average more than one-half bale
to the acre despite the general I'M
preston that it takes three acres in
Mississippi to produce bale. Adams
county shows the largest average pro-
duction, IL acres being required 10
produce a bale. Franklin, jefferson,
Sunfower, Tallahatchie and Wilkin-
son require 1.S acres to produce a
bale. Lee and Warren require 10
and the acres class is large, being
composed Of Calhoun, Choctaw, Goa
homa, Copiah, Covington, Holmes,
Lincoln, Pearl River and Smith. Boil
var produces more cotton thany any
county in the state and it requires 81
acres to make bale. Jackson only
raised 49 bales and it required ID
acres to the bale. 1t is to be borne
in mind that these figures are for the
1906 crop and the storm and its at
tendant damage must be allowed for.
The general average for the whole
state is % acres to the bale.
Corn being the second crop in inl-
portance, figures concerning it would
no doubt be valuable. The total yield
as shown was 24,295,795 bushels. If
these figures fall as far short of the
actual amount raised as does the cot
ton crop, the yield was approximately
35,O00,000 bushels, which estimating
at 60 cents per bushel, was worth
$21 100000. Quitman shows the BAN
ner production 1872 bushels to the
acre. Jackson comes second with an
average of 22.9 bushels per acre, while
| Lee is third with an average of 22.2.
Union shows yield of 21.3, Talla-
hatchie 21.2 and Sunfower 20.2. The
other counties come along in punches,
the general average for the state be-
ing approximately 16 bushels to the
acre.
Contrary to recently published re-
ports, the hay acreage proved to be
109,876 acres instead of $4,000 and
the yield as returned, 1894 tons.
The approximate value of the hay cut
was $2,500,000. Lownes county re-
ports the largest acreage, 6,910 with
Washington close second with s.
$40.
OF greater Importance than was
generally considered proved the pork
production 60,929,6O0 pounds being
killed. This product alone was worth
fully $4,500,000 The banner hog
killers were as follows: Calhoun, l.
586,166 pounds; Tallahatchie, 1,461,
626; Pontotoc, 1,405, ,529; Alfalfa, L.
394,018; Lafayette, 1,383,SS1, New
ton, 1866, ,489; Lee, 1,348, 1876; Carroll.
1,323,9S6. Thirteen other counties
went over the million pound mark.
The acreage in oats was 84,174 with
a production of 1,l1S,562 bushels, or
but little over 13 bushels to the acre.
This is probably accounted for in the
fact that in many instances oats for
pasture We're included in the acreage
given. Wheat, SCI acres and zya83
bushels. Barley, 81 acres and 1,14l
bushels. Rye, 20 acres and 26S bush
els. Rice, 63 acres ami 473 bushels.
The statistics with reference to
sheep and wool was gratifying in
deed There were reported 9S,302
sheep with clip of 259,615 pounds
of wool. Almost $4,000 worth OF
wool to say nothing of the mutton
killed.
Parties desiring copies of the bulle-
tin for themselves and friends con.
tanning this information in detail can
have same by writing card to the
Commissioner at Jackson.
Meridian will ask the legislature TO
grant permission for floating $50, ,00O
in bonds for the purpose of building
great fair in East Mississippi. The
proposition will likely encounter lit
tie opposition and it is especially de-
sired that a great agricultural and
stock raising fair will be promoted in
that section of the statU
Let's double the number Of fairs,
colt shows, corn clubs, home culture
clubs, etc. next year. 1t would mean
great deal TO the future prosperity
of our state, and that in more ways
than one.