The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-05-02
The great delta section OF Mississippi

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 Leiore
county, and note the splendid work be-
ing done by this young man. Mr.. Rob
inson was left something more than
eleven hun6 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 a number of seasons and
was in a poor condition for good results
in producing crops. He came Out OF
the A. & NJ. college and went upon the
q la iOdi sCdlO dSOy q lCW - ~
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 ~rejuvenated 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 exam
pie of improved methods and practices
in renewing land and generally improv.
ing a plantation.
The very best la~bor-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
eood-sized herd of cattle and in a year
or so will greatly increase it, or SO
soon as his system of pastures a 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 han sufficient pork was killed on
the place last year to furnish the fami-
lies for this season, some thing 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 han half a bale to
the acre, many acres producing a bale,
and the average corn production was
approximately thirty-fve bushels.
The meat raised on this place last
season was produced at l. 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
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 SPLEEN
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 fas not been
forgotten.
The question was freq .ently asked
during the legislative session as to
what became of the young men who at
tended the Agricultural and Mechanic
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.
The proposition to construct mounds
in the areas outside the leyees for the
protection of life and property is of
I. more Importance than n would think
at first glance. 1t is estimated that
more than $4,000 acres of land could
thus be brought into use that at pres
ent offers little or no advantages. This
means SO, 900 acres in Mississippi alone.
An organization was effected at Green
Vile recently with that object in view,
and it is to be sincerely hoped that the
project will be pushed to a successful
termination. This land is az the most
fertile in the State, being the recipient