The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1908-07-09

Agricultural development in the
South has received satisfactory i'm
petus from a number of sources dur
Ing the past few years, but from
none as it has from the county and
state fairs that have sprung UP and
flourished in every Southern State.
Mississippi is no exception to this
rule but on the other hand, is strong
evidence of it's correctness. The
number of county fairs has been
largely increased in the last four
years and all of them seem to be
growing stronger year by year in ex-
hibits and popularity To these insti-
tutions should be given large cred
1t for the prosperity that has attend
ed the agricultural people during
the past few years. The mississippi
State Fair, which is a fixture in Mis-
sissippi events now, was begun four
years ago on very small scale. The
writer solicited the two thousand dol
lars with which it was begun In the
early fall of 1904, believing that it
would prove OF value to the agri-
cultural and stock raising interests
of the state, and that the people
would accord a liberal patronage to
a well-conducted institution of this
character. The money was subscrib-
ed by the business men of Jackson,
with the understanding that they
were not to receive from it at any
time direct profits in the way of div
idends, but that they might expect
it to benefit them indirectly by ben
efitting the whole country. Only a
a1yC xryar oil 20 mn r. inc
preparations for the Corn and Cot
ton Carnival which was held during
December, 1904. However, the ex-
hibts in all lines were especially sat
isfactory and the attendance all that
could have been desired. 1t was
clearly shown that the people of Mis-
sissippi wanted good state Fair
and would accord it liberal patron
age. The promoters then decided
that it should be made permanent
event, and with that idea in view the
Mississippi Industrial Exposition
Co., was formed for the purpose of
holding the Mississippi State Fair
each fall. 1t was again understood
that no dividends should be paid up
on the capital stock, and that all
monies accrueing should be invested
in permanent Improvements and in
creased premiums for agricultural,
horticultural, live stock, poultry, Ia
dies work, etc. While the Old Cap
itol building was sufficient to hold
the exhibits offered the first year, it
was found necessary the next fall to
provide number of large tents to
take care Of the exhibitors who ap-
piled for space Stalls were supplied
for live stock and temporary build
ings for commercial exhibits. A
grand stand was erected and the old
state race track, forty years old, re-
built. The Fair was again all that
its most ardent friends could have
desired, although necessarily post
poned by yellow fever quarantine.
The attendance was from almost ev-
cry county in the state, and exhibits
from a majority of them.
1t is said in cotton circles that
the brokers and spinners are very
much exercised as to the strength
of the holding movement for the
present crop and the figure that it
will cut in the price of cotton this
fall. The spiners are inclined, it is
claimed, to lay in their supplies ear
ly and at fair price ii spinable
grades can be had. This is cheer
ing news for the farmer and is evil
dence of the god work being done by
the Union throughout the cotton
planting section. There is no doubt
but what good was accomplished last
fall, and the organization is strong
or this year than ever, having had
more experience being provided with
more warehouses and better connec-
tons with the consumer of their
cotton. Arrangements are being per-
fected with a large cotton mill to sup
ply cotton bagging for portion or
this years crop. The contract calls
for so much per yard for manufac-
ture, the cotton to be furnished from
low grades by the Union itself. This
is good move and it will be remem-
bered that the writer recommended
in report to the legislature in jan
uary that the state erect small
factory for making cotton bagging
on one of the farms but it was not
acted upon. The Union is doing
good work, the membership is grow
ing in stability as we'll as In num-
bers. One trouble with our people
is, that they expect too much in
short time, but those who are faith
full and stick it out will have the
satisfaction of seeing the conditions
surrounding the farmer greatly i'm
proved in the next few years. Those
opposing the Union in this fight have
taken years to build up their bust
ness and it cannot be changed in
few months. 1t will take earnest and
persistent effort to accomplish the
desired ends. Stand by the Union
and it's officials and good results will
come after awhile.
This year a splendid building for
poultry will be erected and other inn
provements made as funds at hand
will befmit. The agricultural build
ing will be extended If possible, the