The Tupelo journal., 1907-03-15
@ GREATER
$3.50. MISSISSIPPI
Devoted TO the Agricultural, Commercial
and Industrial Development OF the States
Incompatible Resoutces-Omcial Organ OF
Department Of Agriculture and
BY H. E. BLAKESLEE. JACKSON.

COttOn Association,
"The cotton-growers of the South
are urged to adopt the policy OF d.
versified farming under an intensive
system for the crop year OF 1907. On
account OF labor conditions and high
prices for all kinds of supplies, the cx-
tensive culture of cotton at the expense
of the production OF necessary food
supplies on the farm is a policy which
has long since proved suicidal to the
average cotton-grower. A general re-
duction this year of ten per cent. in the
total cotton acreage planted last year
and an increased acreage of ten per
cent. in food supplies will to a very
great extent solve many of the present
p%erplexing problems which confront
Southern cotton-growers. Every effort
should be exerted by each individual
cotton-grower this year to steer clear OF
the credit system and establish a cash
basis of trading. The credit system is
responsible for the enormous receipts
Of spot cotton during the fall and early
winter, which always tends to depress
prices.
st will be difficult to systematize
the warehousing and financing OF spot
cotton S 70 as to regulate the supply so as
to meet the actual and legitimate de-
mands of consumption so long as the
credit system honeycombs the South as
it does today. There is little hope OF
relief from the iniquities OF the credit
system 10 long as cotton-growers per-
sist in keeping their corncribs and
smokehouses in the West, and using
their local supply merchants rs the me-
dunn through which the purchase and
distribution of the necessary staple
commodities are made.
"Solve the labor problem by plant
ing fewer acres, cultivate and fertilize
better and use the latest and most APP
proved farming implements and labor
saving devices. Solve the credit sys-
tenn by providing the necessary food
supplies at home. Solve the question
Of marketing the crop for fair and
profitable prices by retaining the owner
ship of the staple after it is made, and
placing it on the market only when
prices are satisfactory. The planting,
%cultiveting and harvesting of the crops
can be done by individual action. Mar
keting, however, must be done under
modern methods of compact organiza-
ton and system. While arranging for
a broader expanse of diversified plant
ing this spring, do not forget the
equally important matter of cementing
your local organizations and making
the right kind of preparations for sys-
tematizing the sale of the crop next
season. A crop which canrSt be sold
profitably to the producer is not worth
the time and labor expended in its pro-
duction. Let every man do his duty in
1907, and win the success to which his
great vocation in the field of production
entities him."
A Delta Fair, to be held at Green
Vile in the fall, was launched on Mon
day of last week and the active work of
preparation is going forward with all
haste. The capital stock was deter
mined upon at s25, 600 and solicitors are
now taking subscriptions to the same.
1t is confidently expected that no
trouble will be experienced in raising
the amount. The section of country to
be represented at this fair is something
like 200 miles in length by so in width
and the richest of rich a~lluvial land.
A display of products that can be ex-
celled nowhere can be made, and those
interested promise that it will be done.
Seven different forage crops will be
displayed from one farm, while corn
and other commodities will compare
with those raised anywhere. Hogs that
will look we'll alongside those from any
section will be shown, as will also be
horses and cows. Features peculiarly
possessed by the Delta will be brought
put strong, and a show is promised that
will pay the people from all sections of
the State to go to see.
There is an interesting row on be-
tween one of the Gulfport and n of
the Biloxi papers as to which section
can grow the biggest turnips. Gulf
port showed up with a turnip that
weighed four or five pounds, and now
comes Biloxi with one weighing six
pounds and raised by Charlie Wells,
one weighing seven pounds and raised
by Charlie Anderson, and others OF
more or less Importance. 1t is up to
Gulfport to come again strong in the
turnip line and defend reputation that
was first founded on lumber. 1t is in
teresting to note that the country
around both towns will grow splendid
vegetables and the contention between
our newspaper brethren is only ON
phasizing the fact.
There is an increasing interest In the
Farmers Union and the much-needed
reforms it has undertaken to bring
about. Every farmer should join the
Union and give it the benefit of his in
fuence and financial assistance. The
movement is worthy of attention and
consideration at the hands of all agri-
Municipal ownership is winning new
laurels in the matter OF public utilities,
and the flood of public opinion in its
favor promises to grow stronger instead
Of waning.