The Tupelo journal., 1908-05-01
The great delta section 81 Mississippi

- ~ h1O -
that is peculiarly productive under Or
binary conditions. However, this land
has not produced in the past few years
as it formerly did, before the levees
were built and the overflow water kept
off. The planters are beginning 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 its former
producing capacity.
1t was the writer's pleasure to spend
a day recently on the plantation OF
Douglass Robinson at Sidon, in Lef1ore
county, and note the splendid work be-
ing done by this young man. Mr.. Rob
inson was left something more than
eleven hun6r red acres Of land by his
father. About 500 acres had been clear
ed and in cultivation for years, some of
it for a very long period. 1t had been
rented for q number of seasons and
was in a poor condition for good results
In producing crops. He came out OF
the A. & M. college and went upon the
farm four years ago, a few months be-
fore reaching his majority. The re-
formation since that time has been most
remarkable.
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 been reclaimed. Weak land has
been r~ejuvenated and all placed in a
good condition for growing crops prof
itably. Mr.. Robinson has married and
located on the farm, having built a
good but modest home for himself and
little family. His success should and
will be worth a great deal to the COM
munity in which he lives as an a
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 in
stead Of being left In a 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-
dition when needed again. He has a
good-sized herd Of cattle and in q year
or SO will greatly increase it, or so
soon as his system of pastures can be
worked out. A herd of goats is kept
for the purpose OF clearing brakes and
and will produce a liberal supply of
fresh meat at practically no cost. A
number OF registered hogs are kept and
his herd Is being improved yearly.
More than sufficient pork was killed on
the place last year to furnish the fami-
lies for this season, something that can
be said by but few delta farmers. His
corn, hay and forage crops are large
and plentiful for all the needs Of the
plantation. Cotton averaged last year
considerably more than half a bale to
the acre, many acres producing a bale,
and the average corn production was
approximately t%hirty-fve bushels.
The meat raised on this place last
season was produced at a very low rate
per pound, pasture rotation being the
leans adopted and little feeding was
necessary. Oats, rape, peas, vetch and
clover were the principal pasture crops
and 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 splen-
did 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
a 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 a
pride to the institution where he re-
ceived his training. The influence of
the good work being done by Mr.. Rob-
inson should extend to a large circle
and benefit the whole community ada
cent to his plantation.
Copiah county expends annually on
her roads something like $4,000, 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 it's object a 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 i'm
provement the result was bound to be
satisfactory from the fact that they kept
close tab on what was being done and
raised a row if the result was not good.
This is the greatest argument in favor
of the contract system as compared
with the anticipated and long out OF
date overseer system. When you spend
the peoples money they are continually
wotchipr for ros11fc