The Tupelo journal., 1908-07-24

AS ~ a. oko ~ W
require comment here. The following
experience is given in one of u lead
ing agricultural papers and is worthy
of consideration. The gentleman says
that a plat seeded to alfalfa in October
failed to produce a stand. Some seed
was left and as an experiment he sOwed
equal parts of alfalfa and red clover on
another small piece Of ground after
having prepared for planting. He says:
"Greatly TO my surprise, by Decem-
Der l, l had a beautiful stand of alfalfa
and clover, to all appearances, the
clover pr~edominating. 1t remained
green all winter, and this spring grew
rapidly. On May l / cut a heavy crop,
about three-fourths clover, and on
June 5 the second cutting was ready
and appeared to be about one-half
alfalfa. Since the last cutting it has
started off finely and there is a larger
proportion of alfalfa to be seer than
before.
IL have no positive reason why the
plot seeded with clover should thrive
and the other fail absolutely. We can
draw many conclusions, purely imagin-
alive as to fact. My idea is that the
clover was a favorable nurse crop. shell
tered the young alfalfa, assisted in the
incubation, smothered down weeds and
grass, kept the soil moist and gener-
ally aided and abetted in the growth of
the alfalfa"
This man was a Virginian and the
writer would like to have the expert
ence of some Mississippian who has
tried a nurse crop for alfalfa. Let your
experience be known for the benefit of
all the people.
Some time since there appeared a
call in this department for information
concerning Bookkeeping in Mississippi.
A number of replies have been received
conveying the information desired, but
there are still others interested in the
business to be heard from. The writer
is commanded by the act creating the
department of agriculture and COM
MERGE to investigate and report upon
this industry in particular. So, if you
see this and are at all interested in bee
culture, write what you know of it for
the general information of the public.
A number of keepers have been written
concerning the advisability of forming
a state organization for the purpose of
fostering the enterprise, meeting year
ly for a discussion of topics hat would
be of profit and interest to the mem
bers, etc. Such Il meeting could be
held during the state fair, and the low
railroad rates for that event taken ad-
vantage of by those attending. Let's
have a full and free expression from
the bee keepers all over the state.
In a comprehensive letter on the cot
tor situation and the probable price t O
be received this fall, Mr.. Johnson OF
Meridian gives the Farmers Union
proper credit for a power to market the
crop sensibly and hold up the price, it
makes no difference what the yield
may be. Union men should not be dis
couraged because they did not get the
maximum of 10 cents last fall. 1t is
generally acknowledged that they pre-
vented it going as low as s cents. which
price was tried for by the bears in the
speculation market. The union has
been worth millions of dollars to the
cotton growers, and its days of useful
ness are just beginning. Stand by the
union and its officials and it will prove
a greater benefit in the future.
While crop conditions in Mississippi
are usually good, there are spots where
the crop is reported as being very
poor. Fully $1,000 and possibly so. 600
acres of fine cotton land was still under
water on July l, which precludes the
| possibility of a crop on it. This land
is in front Of the levees and is very pro-
ductive. The corn crop is larger than
aver before and is fairly good all over
the State.
The home canning outfits are coming
into more general use by the people of
Mississippi and offer a splendid means
of caring for the fruit necessary for
family use as we'll as some for the mar
ket besides. They are inexpensive and
easy to operate. A few hundred cans
could be put up by the average family
and what was not needed at home could
be disposed of at a price that would
make it profitable. The Laurel Ledger
last week noted the fact that d. D.
Jefcoat of $3.50, Jones county, had
already put up 700 can and expected to
increase that number by 1000 before
the fruit season was owe Mr. jeff
coat had samples of his fruit in Laurel
and it was pronounced as good as could
be had anywhere. While the big can
ming establishments have not succeed
ed SO we'll, there is every reason to be-
lieve that the little ones will prove all
right.
An effort is being made to reorganize
the State Horticultural Society that
was organized three years since and
dropped into deep sleep thereafter. 1t
should be done. Mississippi should
have a horticultural society.