The Tupelo journal., 1908-09-04
AGRICULTURAL development IN MISSISSIPPI
Rapid Strides Made During the Past Few Years and
Prospects for the Future.

i ~solutely necessary for something to be
done for the relief of our State. Five
counties near the Tennessee line are
being cleared now, and others will be
taken up as soon as these are free and
funds available will permit. This is a
matter OF the greatest Importance to the
people of Mississippi, and is deserving
of their hearty cooperation and sup
port.
Boys Competitive Corn Clubs.
The Department of Agriculture and
Commerce has devoted much time and
attention to this work during the past
two years, believing it to be one of the
greatest movements inaugurated since
the civil war for the benefit of the
South. Last year five counties were or
gained and the work fairly i~naugurated.
This year twenty-three counties have
been organized, with over three thousand
boys engaged in the contest and approx
mately five hundred girls in the home
culture Clubs. The work of these school
children is first exhibited in the home
counties, then brought to the State Fair,
and this year will he carried to the Ma
AAoAoi u Va poNlttpH III oIIldIld. v Ht1
it is considered that three thousand boys
III Mississippi are securing an agricul-
tural education along with their literary
work; that they are being intelligently
equipped for the battle of life in a pro:
fession that will soon be considered the
best in the land, there is found sufficient
to encourage renewed efforts for the
future.
Agricultural High Schools.
The last Legislature authorized each
county in the State to build an a%gricul-
tural high school and pledged a support
fund of one thousand dollars per annum
when certain conditions had been met.
1t Is highly gratifying to note that fif-
teen counties have at this time located
Their schools, and are arranging to com
ply with the conditions. Thirty coun-
ties are agitating the question, and some
OF them will no doubt be successful. 1t
is believed that within the next five
years nearly every county in the State
VIII be in possession of one of these
schools. Again has the law-makinr bod
les recognized the request of the agri-
cultural people for educational facilities.
No State in the South, and probably the
Union, Will have such an array of aori-
cultural schools as Mississippi. 1t means
THAT the farmer boys will be lust as
well educated as the lawyer, the doctor.
the preacher or those in any of the pro
LESSONS.
Fairs and Expeditions.
Nothing aids in the development of
agricultural, horticultural and live stock
resources more than the o~ld-fashioned
county and State fairs. The Department
OF Agriculture and Commerce has on.
couraSed these in every legitimate way
possible. More are being organized each
year, and Il great State fair has been
builded at Jackson. This work will be
prosecuted until the county in Missis-
slppl without a wellconducted fair will
be an exception instead of Il rule. Fairs
not only encourage the proper develop
inent OF agricultural possibilities. but
tend to keep our people at home. Mis-
sissippi has within the past. twenty
years sent Texas alone one hundred thou
sand good people. This must be stopped.
and the fairs will do more than their
share along that line. ee.-
Encouraging Syrup Making.
In jackson, as well as all other towns
IN TINS section, it has been impossible
during the summer months to buy a
pure, Impressed syrup for table use.
Glucose compounds were the stock in
trade. South Mississippi produces lib
orally of the finest syrup under the sun.
Why not put it up for the general mar
ket? This department investigated that
matter and found that it was being done
tor local use, and encouraged canning for
shipment, believing that there were
enough people who appreciated a good
ana pure article. and would pay a rea-
sonabie price for it, to buy all OF the
syrup that could be produced. The peo-
pie were encouraged to put up and aid
rendered III finding Il market. In 1905
45,000 gallons were canned and handled
successfully; last year $50, 900 gallons.
and the prospect is for over 100000 gal
Ions this year. The land produces from
$50 to 600 gallons per acre. There is
every prospect that this will become one
of the most important branches of ao-
rlculture for Mississippi in the near fut-
ure.
Sweet Potatoes for Shipment.
No country under the sun produces
sweet potatoes the superior of those
raised i'll Mississippi, and Il lands Weld
readily from $50 to 400 bushels per
acre. They are far superior to the ,Jer-
sey potato, that is a staple through the
North and East. Then why not handle
them so that they could be shipped into
that territory during February, March
and April. An experiment was made
the past spring, with excellent results.
The people were delighted with the
vans sent, and expressed themselves as
anxious to get them. Shipment will be
tried again next spring, and it is be-
lieved that within a few years the Mis-
sissippi yam will be known on the
Northern market and command the high
est price from those who appreciate a
good potato.
Public Road Improvement.
An essential to the proper develop
ment of our agricultural resources is
improved roads at a cost commensurate
with the ability of the people to pay.
The Department of Agriculture has at
tempted to gather all information posi-
bic and distribute to the people OF the
State. Three bulletins on the subject
have been issued and given wide circula-
ton. The number of counties now
working by contract or trying other
plans for road improvement is fully 100
per cent. over that of four years ago.
The people evidence the greatest inter
est, and it is safe to predict that Mis-
sissippi will show greater improvement
in public roads during the next five years
than for the twenty years just past.
Agricultural Organizations.