The Tupelo journal., 1908-03-27

boys corn clubs will add interest as
will the institute work that is being
carried on.
The following editorial from a recent
issue of the Herald at Water Valley,
brings to the front the question that
has been discussed more or less during
the recent session of the legislature:
"When it was thought that legisla-
ton injurious to the railroads would
come up for action at this session of
the legislature the railroads were
promptly notified and we nave no doubt
that the different companies interested
responded promptly by sending compe-
tent men to protect their interests, so
far as they could be protected. This
was right. We need the railroads. If
the state had ten times the trackage
it now has it would be 500 per cent
richer. And so far as we are concerned,
we wish there was no restriction what.
ever on capital invested in new rail.
roads for a long term of years. But at
the same time the railroads need the
farms and the farmers of the country,
and when legislation affecting the farm
er is introduced, why are not the farm
ers notified? A bill to abolish the Of
flee of the Commissioner of Agriculture,
the only office in the state government
that directly concerns the farm, has
been introduced, and we would like to
know how many farmers have been con-
suited about it. Tens of thousands of
farmers read weekly Commissioner
Blakeslee's sound advice on improved
farming, road building, ETC., and his
acute Investigations into all the realms
OF agriculture, and if they were con-
suited it is safe to say a solid protest
against his removal or the adjustment
of the office would be heard. He has
proven the right man in the right place
and is making the office a real and
lasting benefit to the state"
The Department of Agriculture and
Commerce was created at the behest of
the cotton association and was for the
direct benefit of the agricultural and
live stock people of Mississippi. 1t has
since received the unqualified endorse
ment of the Union, and the present COM
missioner has actively ~co-operated with
both of these organizations in the work
which they have undertaken. The de-
partment has also co-operated with the
Mississippi Live Stock Association in
the effort to secure legislation beneficial
to the live stock interests. No oppor-
tunity has been allowed to pass where
by it was impossible to aid the interests
for which the department was created.
The success shown by a report to the
legislative bodies was gratifying indeed
to the commissioner, and the endorse
ment received at the hands of the vari-
Gus organizations does away with the
fact that several attempts We're made
along this line, but in every instance the
effort fell flat. The sincerity of those
who made the effort is not brought in
question here. That the department is
given little opportunity of accomplish
ment goes without question. The last
legislature made the appropriations for
its support very small indeed and the
present body has decreased them to some
extent. 1t seems that the commissioner
is expected to take it out largely in
talking and the best that can be made
of the situation will be done.
Now, as to agricultural legislation,
something was said concerning it last
week. The greatest obstacle has been
the standing of the committees on agri-
culture and commerce.. An effort is be-
ing made to remedy this, a resolution
having been offered to place the com.
mittees next to those named in the con.
%stitution, which would materially aid
such legislation in the future. There is
a strong sentiment among the legisla-
tors to aid the agricultural people, and
with the help of the various or9ganiza.
tions the result in the future should be
gratifying.
The day of glucose compounds and re-
boiled molasses are at an end in Missis-
sippi. Why should we eat such mixtures
when our state is raising large guam
titles of the best syrup that can be made
anywhere and is sold at a price within
the means of all? Eat Mississippi
syrup.
The Senatobia. Democrat comes to the
front with some experiences in hog
raising that are worthy of mention. 1t
says:
"Why is it that the Southern farmer
viii keep his meat house in Armour's
packing establishment in Chicago when
such results can be obtained in hog
raising as are shown by the following:
w. L. Wallace killed one hog last week.,
eighteen months old, that weighed 557
pounds after being dressed. A. Bledsoe
killed one two and a half years old that
weighed 5S1 pounds, and p. A.. Eason
one four years old that weighed 61S
pounds. Total for the three hogs,
1856 pounds. They were all of the Pc.
land China breed. At an average price
of eight cents per pound, the three hogs
were worth $14O.4S."
The experience of these Tate county
citizens is duplicated every day in the
year in other parts of Mississippi. Meat
can be raised here as cheaply as any
where in the United States, and the pub
LEGATION of such experiences as this in
the newspapers will greatly stimulate
the industry.
Loving words will cost but little,
Jo%urneying up the hill of life,