Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1908-09-03

crived and executed for the development
of Missis~ippi's incompatible agricul
tural resources.
The A. & NJ. College.
More than thirty years ago the educa-
tion of the farmer boys Of Mississippi
was provided for by the location of an
agricultural and mechanical college on u
beautiful plat of ground near the little
city of StarkVille, in 0ktibbeha county
That institution has grown by leaps and
bounds from the beginning until the
present time, when 1t Is recognized as
one OF the best in the United States. IL
has accomplished a great work in the
way OF preparing our young men to en-
ter the battle OF life, equipped TO handle
the farm upon an equal basis with the
lawyers. doctors and other professional
men prepared at the university and ota-
er institutions. The troubles being ex-
perienced there now will be rignted and
the usefulness of this great institution
will continue unimpaired. 1t is deserv-
sng of the support OF every citizen who
would see Mississippi develop into the
greatest agricultural State of the Unior,
which expectation is fully warranted by
the natural resources possessed.
The Department of Agriculture.
Although every profession had repre-
sentation in the State government all
along since the organization of the State,
the agricultural interests were not rep
resented until MAY 1. 1906. In 1904,
Senator Walker, of Monroe county, in
troduced bill creating department OF
agriculture. but the intense opposition
encountered from sources that should
have favored the measure and the subse-
auept illness and death OF Senator Walk
er put the proposition to sleep for that
session. II came TO the front again early
in the session of 1906, being urged by
the Mississippi division of the southern
Cotton Association and the Farmers
Union. Senator q. Il. Hightower. of La
fayette. now State president OF the
Farmers Union. introduced the measure
and fought it to a successful termina-
tion. despite the opposition again eneoun-
tered and the persistent lobbying against
the measure 4 number of able lesisla-
tors rendered valuable service this time.
and the bill became a law. The writer
was appointed Commissioner OF the De
partment Of Agriculture and Commerce
for term beginning on May ]. 1906. ami
ending January |. zoos. vt the general
primary in 1907 he was elected Tor an
additional term OF four years, terminal
ing in January, 1912.
Legislative Encouragement.
M legislature since the war has done
more TO encourage the agricultural inter
ests of the State than that which con
vened in January of this year. Their
interests were well represented and
backed by a healthy public sentiment;
there was little trouble experienced in
securing legislation favorable TO the
farming interests. A number OF men IN
both branches of the Legislature did no
BILE service along this line. and are de
serving of the plaudits OF their eonstitu-
eney as well as the whole people OF ,hs
State. Among the measures passed
might be mentioned the creation oi the
State Live Stock Sanitary Board, whieh
is cooperating with the United states
government in eradicating the cattle
tick; providing for the establishments Oh
agricultural high schools in each county
of the State; providing Tor county com
missioners of agriculture; authorizing
board of supervisors to appropriate
money for premiums to boys engaged IN
the corn growing contests; to protect
and foster horticulture and fruit grow
inc. TO regulate the sale and provide for
the inspection of commercial feedstuiis,
and Others of more or less Importance.
Other necessary and remedial legislation
will he asked for when the legislature
aga;n eonvenes, and it will likely be
granted cheerfully.
Live Stock Sanitary Board.
This hoard was created by the last
LEGISLATURE for the general purpose OF
handling all diseases of live stock, put
more partieularly to cooperate with the
United States Department OF Asricui-
ture in Kidding the State OF the cattle
t;rk. II was created in compliance with
! reouest made by the Mississippi Live
Stock Association, an organization com.
nosed Of some two hundred OF the largest
i've stock raisers of the State. The cat
lie tick is costing Mississippi more than
two and a half million dollars annually.
II has been eradicated in territory ADA
cent to Mississippi, proving the scheme scheme
thoroughly practicable. The quarantine
lines against tick-infested animals are
gradually tightening, and it became ao-