The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1908-04-16
Jackson, Mississippi.

Wnen preliminary report by the Bur-
eau of Forestry at Washington inti-
mated that large part of the cut-oyer
lands were not fit for agricultural pur-
poses. The report itself is now out
and the error made has been correct
ed. Among other matter Of interest,
the introduction says:
The report is just and and the open
ing clause says that it correct many
statements made in the earlier one.
In this latter report it is argued that
land should be kept in timber only
so long as it is not needed for agri-
cultural purposes. The report con-
tains something interesting in the way
of suggestions regarding the POSSIBLE
ty of securing a second growth of
long leaf yellow pine" 1t is gen.
orally recognized that large portion
of the lands Of South Mississippi are
especially favored with the requisites
to successful handling for agricul-
tural and horticultural purposes. The
soil is warm and the seasons long.
Early vegetables are grown with the
greatest ease and the syrup and sweet
potato crop cannot be excelled any,
where. Although they may not have
strong layer of soil, the greater por-
ton Of it has clay subsoil and will
retain a fertilizer until taken up by
the crops. South Mississippi will yet
come into her own as an important
agricultural section Of our state.
An Aberdeen paper in speaking Of
alfalfa says: "There are about 5000
acres of alfalfa in this county now
and the area is rapidly increasing.
Within the next two years this pro-
duct will claim large acreage on every
farm in the prairie and thoroughly
solve the labor problem. 1t is now a
staple crop with us, and its import
ance will steadily increase. Foreign
buyers are already looking to the
East Mississippi prairie for their sup
ply, and it is no longer necessary for
producers to haul to market" And
Monroe is not the only county in Mis-
sissippi that has already large al
falfa acreage. There are number
of them. The praire section may lead
in acreage, but the delta is becoming
close runner. 1t is an important crop
on lands suited for its production,
and we may expect to see the acreage
largely increased during the next few
years.
Alfalfa county proposes to tackle
the road proposition in thoroughly
sensible manner and will no doubt
solve the vexed problem so far as
that county is concerned if the plan
proposed is persisted in. 1t is pro-
posed that mile or so of good road
be built and that the experience gain
ed here be used in building other
miles as the funds become available.
The first stretch to be built has been
surveyed by United States govern
ment expert and the work will be
done under his supervision. The serv-
ices of this government road builder
does not cost the county anything,
he being furnished free of charge.
The result Of this effort in Alfalfa will
be watched with interest and will be
given due publicity by this depart
ment as soon as practicable.
This is the minute to begin work on
the fairs to be held this fall. The soon
er premium lists are given to the
public, the quicker good citizens will
begin their preparations for an ex-
hibit. Several new fairs will be in
augurated this fall, especially at
Greenville and Bonneville. The older
ones are working with redoubled en-
ergy and the State Fair to be held
at Jackson from October 9th to Nov
ember 9th will be larger and more
comprehensive than ever. The fair
spirit is the proper spirit and the re-
vival of interest in such institutions
will make Mississippi blossom as a
rose. We need them for many reasons,
more especially to keep our young
men and women at home and prevent
them seeking places in other states
that have been more progressive and
inviting. Push the fairs.
If you now something that would
benefit the people Of Mississippi In
general, write it for this department.
What you have learned by experience
is worth far more than any theory
that can be advanced. Give your fell
bowman the benefit of what you ac-
tually know.
Farmers organizations are the life
boats that carry as ballast the food
and the clothing Of the world, while
their live burdens are the hopes, the
aspirations and the future of human
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