Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1908-05-01

off. The planters are beginEing to
realize that cultural methods are neces-
sary and In many instances are rotating
and diversifying for the purpose Of
bringing the land again to los former
producing capacity.
1t was the writer's pleasure to spend
day recenay on the plantation of
Douglass Robinson at Sidon, in LeAore
county, and note the splendid work be-
ing done by this young man. Mr.. Rob
inson was left something more than
eleven hundred acres of land by his
father. About 500 acres had been clear
ed and in cultivation for years, some Of
it for very long period. II had been
rented for W6aer Of seasons and
was in a poor CO.. tion for good results
In producing crops. He came out Of
the A. & M. college and went upon the
farm four years ago, few months be-
fore reaching his majority. The re-
formation since that time has been most
remarkable. 80
The first work undertaken was sup
plying the necessary houses for tenants
and stock, for farming operations. The
farm is now admirably fixed as TO both.
Land that had lain idle in many In
stances was set with Bermuda and
has baen reclaimed. Weak land has
been reiuvenated and all placed In .
good condition for growing crops prof.
.itably. Mr.. Robinson has married and
located on the farm, having built q
good but modest home for himself and
little family. His success should and
will be worth great deal to the COM
munity in WHICH he lives as an exam
pie of improved methods and practices
in renewing land and generally improv-
ing a plantation.
The very best labor-saving farm i'm
plements are used ON his place, and iH-
stead Of being left In fence corner to
rot and rust from one season to an
other, are carefully laid away in a
house prepared for that purpose. His
implements are carefully cleaned and
oiled to insure their being in good con-
rition when needed again. He has a
lcood-sized herd of cattle and in q year
tr so will greatly increase it.. or SO
/ Don as his system, of pastures can be
worked out. A herd Of goats is kept
for the purpose OF clearing brakes and
nd will produce 3 lfsssal supply Of
fresh meat at practically no cost A
lumber of registeeea hess are kept and
Ills herd is being isksxsvsd yearly.
Lore than sufficient. peBk was killed on
ihe place last year 70 furnish the faui-
lies for this season, something that c&R
ie said by but few delta farMers. . His
.orn, hay and forage crops are large
ind plentiful for all the needs of the
plantation. Cotton averaged last year
considerably more than half a,bale to
The acre, many acres producing bale,
Ind the average corn production was
approximately thirty live bushels.
The meat raised on this place last
season was produced at a very low rate
per pound, pasture rotation being the
means adopted and little feeding was
necessary. Oats, rape, peas, vetch and
clover were the principal pasture crops
ind were available for all kinds of
stock. The rape that was utilized for
January and February pasture has been
plowed In and another crop takes Its
place. Oats and vetch are now being
cut and the stubble will be used for
early spring pasture. Red clover grows
excellently on the plat. selected and it
is likely that the acreage in this SPLEEN
Aid legume will be increased right
away. Cow peas are being literally
used for renewing old land and with
the very best results. An orchard with
8 great variety of fruits will soon begin
producing, and the pecan has not been
forgotten.
The question was frequently asked
during the legislative session as to
what became OF the young men who at
tended the Agricultural and Mechani-
cal College. Here is one of them, and
his work on a delta plantation will be
bride to the institution where he re-
wed his training. The influence of
hs good work being done by Mr.. Rob-
Eson should extend 10 a large circle
M benefit the whole community ada
cent to his plantation.
Copiah county expends annually on
her roads something like 10000, and
the result has been for the betterment
of their condition, although in some in
stances the people complained that
they should have been better. A Good
Roads Association has been formed and
has for its object still further better
ment of road conditions. A number of
the best and most enterprising people
of the county have banded together for
harmonious work to that end. The
statement has been repeatedly made in
this department that when the peoples
money was being spent for road Ina
provement the result was bound 10 be
satisfactory from the fact shat they kept
close tab on. what was being done and
raised row if the result was not good
This is the greatest argument in favor
of the contract system rs compared
with the anticipated and long out of
date overseer system. When you spend
the peoples money they are continually
watching for results.
The proposition to construct mounds
in the areas outside the lsYees for she
protection of life and property 10 Of
more Importance than one would think
at first glance. Il is estimated that
mere than $4,000 acres OF land could
thus be brought into use that at pres-
enC offers little or no advantages. This
means $4,000 acres In Mississippi alone.
score or only forty-five out Of a possible
100.