The Tupelo journal., 1908-07-24


It seems that the ''good roads" agi-
tation is sweeping over the entire
state and that no county is free from
the infection. This is very gratifying
indeed to those who have so faithfully
advocated the improvement of road
conditions for years with little or no
help from the people in general. Six
teen additional counties have adopted
the contract system within the past
twelve months while one has abandon
ed the system in that time. Even where
1T has been abandoned other plans are
being tried that will likely lead to per-
manent betterment. At Corinth on
July 4 a big picnic was given and a
parade of floats and decorated vehicles.
A dilapidated cart and bony horse with
the ~proverbial rope harness was shown
as a result of poor roads in that county.
A pretty strong argument that will do
good in the long run. The Indianola
business league has petitioned the SUI
pervisors to allow them to work a sec
ton of the road and has solicited the
funds necessary to put it in good shape.
A large number Of counties that have
had the contract system for several
years and found it good have recently
relet their contracts with larger pay
and more exacting specifications. The
idea that WI can and should have bet
ter roads at a reasonable cost is grow
ing and it will not be necessary for the
man now fifty to live to be a hundred
to see many counties in Mississippi
with roads that are good for 365 days
in the year and that two mules can
easily pull five bales of cotton over
There is plenty doing in the road i'm
provement business.
One of the Aberdeen papers suggests
the ACCESSIBILITY of constructing a piece
of road that is really good or a stretch
that is now bad enough. 1t is proposed
to have the town build this piece as d
demonstration of what roads should be.
The idea is an excellent one. 1t would
pay the towns to build pieces of good
roads leading to them from every direc-
ton. If this was done the people com
ing in to town would use and be made
to appreciate roads as never before.
The man living a few miles in any d.
rection would drive over the road lead
ing to his home, and if it was not good
all the way would soon begin trying to
have it made so. The man beyond him
would catch the fever too and get busy
to have it reach him. In this way a
good road would be gradually extended
until it went to the county line. Ex-
ample is by far the strongest argument
in favor of a progressive proposition
like this. Holly Springs and other
towns are doing this very thing, and
the results of their efforts should be
closely looked after by other towns de-
string to create good roads senti-
ment. Get the movement well started
and see hat it does not lag.
Suppose an association of poultry
~raisers be organized this fall? All who
are interested in poultry should join
such an organization, meet at some
central point each year for the discus
sion of matters pertinent to the bust
ness. This is a matter of education
that deserves more than passing notice.
No business has proven a success with
out organization and education. This
applies to poultry raising as we'll as
anything else. Men who have had ex
perience could tell what they had ac-
cOmplished and how it was done. Plans
for the future could be suggested, dis
cussed and decided upon. Let's hear
from poultry fanciers on the PROPOSE
ton.
1t has been suggested that the Mis-
sissippi Live Stock Association hold its
meeting this year at Jackson during
the last days of October so as to take
advantage of the low railroad rates
given for the state fair. This would
give the people of the entire state an
opportunity of attending the meeting at
a reasonable cost, and it should prove a
large and enthusiastic one. This is a
very important organization composed
of almost 200 of the principal stock
r~aisers of the state. 1t was this or
ganization that suggested the tick
eradication work, appointed a commit
tee to draft the law, and its executive
committee spent some time in Jackson
during the legislature to assist in pass
ing it. Every man interested in live
stock should become a member and aid
in the splendid work undertaken. In
stead of 200 members, it should be fully
500. Write Prof. A. Smith, Agricul-
tural college, and send 81 for a member
ship card. The work undertaken is de-
serving of the support of all good citi-
zens and it has just begun. Let's make
this the best organization of its kind in
the South. Give this your careful con
sideration and act promptly as your
interests dictate.
The Bsiletin for the Department OF
Agriculture and Commerce for next
month will be largely devoted to the
work of eradication Of the cattle tick
in Mississippi. The proposition will be
thoroughly discussed from every stand
| point and the methods employed fully
described. This is a very important
work to the people of Mississippi, and