The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-08-15

i
Of Abe Shepherd Of Holmes county.
This acre produced nearly $50 weigh
ed bushels. Mr.. Shepherd is acknowl-
edged as one of the lest farmers in
the state and few words from him
should be carefully read and digest
ed. In communication to the Lex
ington Advertiser he writes as fol-
lows:
The farmer works hard from
daylight until dark and never seems
i to get much out of his labor except
a living or the advance in his land for
which he is not responsible. Here is
the cause of failure. The farmer
starts in anywhere and usually ends
nowhere. He is without system. He
works with his hands but usually fails
to use his head. So many go ahead
and plant all cotton and scarcely any
corn when we ought to reverse it.
There is where the living is. We can
take corn and raise meat and haze
our molasses at home. All cotton will
put man in bad shape; will show
! an empty crib and also smokehouse.
He does not look far enough ahead.
The successful farmer is forehandad
and plans things, keeping more than
one kite to his string. We have here
in Holmes county several such farm
ers as we all ought to be. There are
the McClellans. You can hear the com
plant every fall that their cribs
won't hold their corn crop-nowhere
to store it away. A trip to their store
rooms will show up plenty Of meat,
lard and molasses. Such farmers IS
these don't care if meal goes to five
dollars barrel, meat 25 cents a
pound and molasses dollar quart.
Such men as this is what our coun-
try needs. Luck to such farmers and
they will have it too. / invite you to
take trip to Mr.. Jed Powers. He
is one among the leading young men
we have in this state. To show that
he deals in the very best stock that
can be had In the state, he now has
thirty-five young mule colts that are
worth from $500 to $4,000 each.
If the country only had few such
men as Mr.. Powers, in few years
there would be in the state some Of
The best horses and mules to be found
anywhere. is pleasing to the eye 10
Zee this country home. He has place
1t beauty, showing you the result Of
proper care and interest taken by
young man. Now, if the Honorable
Board of Supervisors will offer 500
for the best home-raised mule or horse
n the county, I will say that 1 don
believe there is man in the county
who would raise an objection to such
action. Ben Lundy and Prof. Smith
Ire enthusiastic in the uplifting Of
and the general welfare Of the farm
sr. Such men will soon have Holmes
county on the top round of the ladder
leading all other counties in the state.
would like to have expression
from others along these lines.n
Last fall and this spring, several
counties were organized into what
was known as competitive corn grow
ing contests in some the range of
crops being larger and in one the
girls were given part. A late begin
/. hing prevented the organization Of
more than half-dozen counties, al
though it was hoped tnas more would
some in on the wind up. Now it is
conceded and well recognized, tina:
shi Sis one fthe best movements IN
lugurated in our state for years, and
it is to be hoped that not less than
fifty counties will come into the plan
for next year. 1t is exactly the work
that will show results in the future.
AS has been said in this department
lime and again, the future greatness
1t Mississippi depends almost alto
yether upon the development Of her
incompatible agricultural resources.
The object Of these organizations IS
30 interest the boys and young men
N agricultural pursuits, giving 20
them a love for the work that will en-
able them to make it success, stim-
dlate them to study it as does the
nan in other professions, employ The
best methods FOR financial results
and bring the profession up to that
Of any in our country. For the girls
it is proposed to offer substantial pre-
miums for excellence in cooking, sew
ing, embroidery and other things Of
interest to the feminine sex. It ia in
tended to instill into them q love for
domestic pursuits that will prove val
liable and beneficial throughout life
The girls are to be accorded atten-
ton as they deserve and their interest