The Tupelo journal., 1907-08-16

oNotC ohQ SoditN OihNidic, ahh sht oNN
ond primary will soon be a thing of
the past and all will know who is who
for the next four years. Then let's be-
gin today to make these four years the
best that Mississippi has ever expert
enced. There is no man, woman or child
but who has a part to perform in this
work. That part should be performed
zealously and well, and the writer be-
lieves that it will be cheerfully done in
that manner
Last fall and this spring several coun-
ties were organized into what was known
as competitive ~corn-growing contests, in
some the range of crops being larger,
and in one the girls were given a part.
A late beginning prevented the organiza-
ton of more than a half-dozen counties,
although it was hoped that more would
come in on the wind-up. Now it is con-
ceded and well recognized, that this is
one of the best movements inaugurated
in our State for years, and it is to be
hoped that not less than fifty counties
win 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 time and again, the
future greatness of Mississippi depends
almost altogether upon the development
of her Incompatible agricultural re-
sources. The object of these organiza-
tons is to interest the boys and young
men in agricultural pursuits, giving to
them a love for the work that will enable
them to make it a success, stimulate
them to study it as does the man in
other professions, employ the best meth
DDS for financial results and bring the
profession up to that of any in u
country.
For the girls it is proposed to offer
substantial premiums for excellence in
cooking, sewing, embroidery and other
things of interest to the feminine sex.
1t is intended to instilI into them a love
for domestic pursuits that will prove val
liable and beneficial throughout life. The
girls are to be accorded attention as
they deserve and their interest and SYM
pathy enlisted in the work.
Now a word to the county superin-
tendents who have already been NOM
mated and those who will be selected
during the next few days: You are the
means of spreading this gospel through
out your respective counties. Through
you to the teachers of your counties and
through them to the pupils of the public
schools it is expected to create an inter
est that will make this project a splen-
did success. You are respectfully re-
quested to take this matter up at once
in the teachers meetings and otherwise.
preparing for organizing in the early
spring. BY getting a healthy interest
among the teachers early in the fall and
enlisting through them a lively interest
in the pupils, the call for organization
will be attended well and the work made
to move off in excellent shape.
Information for the organization and
management of these contests will soon
be issued in circular form from the De-
partment of Agriculture and Commerce
for general distribution. The State Fair
is Offering a large list of valuable pre-
miums this fall and will make it better
next. Supt. J.. n. Powers is very much
enthused over the work and offers his
services freely to aid the movement. The
writer is anxious to aid every county
desiring to organize and will be only
too glad to spend a few days in helping
10 oct thn moVamant on foot
County superintendent, will you take
this matter up at once and begin Great
ing the interest necessary to place your
county in the competitive list. Hoping
that you will do this, and pledging my
full cooperation, | am, respectfully,
Ii. i. BLAKESLEE,
Commissioner
The State Fair Association has let the
contract for an agricultural hall to be
$50 by $50 feet, and other smaller build
ings. These will all be completed in
ample time for the fair in November,
5th to 10th. The prospects for the fair
ara excellent, it being safe to say that
the interest is very much greater than
ever before and that the exhibits Wal
be many times larger han the past
three years. The premium list is more
comprehensive and carries larger pre-
MUM amounts. The large agricultural
building just contracted for will be filled
to overlooking if nothing happens to
spoil the exhibits already being grown,
almost all the space being applied for.
This fair has proven a splendid success
from the beginning three years ago, and
fully demonstrates the readiness of the
people to patronize an industry of that
character. The county fairs are in good
shape, more especially some of the new
ones organized this year. The fair spirit
is growing in Mississippi and from pres
ent indications the showing made here
will compare favorably with that of the
older States to the North and West that
have maintained fairs for the last forty
years or more.
Poplarville is happy at last in the
possession of a municipal water and
light plant that will prove a great con-
venience to her citizens. The Free Press
is feeling good over these u~p-to-date ac-
cessions n has a cause to be. The
lights are convenient and as cheap as oil
Tor the same amount of illuminating
power and the water is almost an abso-
lutte necessity for any town of five hun
dred people or more. Gradually the Mis-
sissippi towns are coming to the front.
Our old State may be just a little slow,
but is coming along all right.