The Tupelo journal., 1908-04-17
The good people Of South Mississippi,

q urge pdrt OF Inc cut-OVor lands were
not fit for agricultural purposes. The
report itself is now out and the error
made has been corrected. In this latter
report it is argued that land should be
kept.in timber only so long as it is not
needed for agricultural purposes. The
report contains something very in
teresting in the way Of suggestions
regarding the possibility OF securing a
second growth of long leaf yellow pine.
1t is generally recognized that a large
portion of the lands of South Missis-
sippi are especially favored with the
requisites to successful handling for
agricultural and horticultural purposes.
The soil is warm and the seasons long.
Early vegetables are grown with the
greatest ease and the syrup and sweat
potato crop cannot be excelled any
where. Although they may not have a
strong layer Of soil, the greater por-
ton of it has a clay sub-soil and will
retain a fertilizer until taken up by the
crops. South Mississippi will yet come
into her OWE as n important agricul-
tural section of our state.
This is the minute to begin work on
the fairs to be held this fall. The sooner
premium lists are given to the public
the quicker good citizens will begin
their preparations for an exhibit. Sew
eral new fairs will be inaugurated this
fall, especially at Greenville and Boone
Vile. The older ones are working with
redoubled energy and the State Fair to
be held at Jackson from October q to
November 6 will be larger and more
comprehensive than ever. The. fair
spirit is the proper spirit and the re-
vival of interest ia such institutions
will make Mississippi blossom as a rose.
We need them for many reasons, more
especially to keep u young men and
women at home and prevent them SEEK
ing places in other States that have
been more progressive and inviting.
Push the fairs.
Attala county proposes to tackle the
road proposition in a thoroughly sensi-
Dc manner and will no doubt solve the
vexed problem so far as that county is
concerned If the plan proposed is per-
sisted in. 1t is proposed that q mile or
so OF good road be built and that the
experience gained here be used in
building other miles as the funds be-
come available. The FIRST stretch to be
built has been surveyed by a United
States government expert, and the
work will be done under his SUPER
vision. The services of this govern
,nent road builder do not cost the coun-
ty anything, he being furnished free Of
charge. The result of this effort in
Attala will be watched with interest,
and will be given due publicity by this
department as soon as practicable.
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 product 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 it's Importance will steadily
increase. Foreign buyers are already
looking to the East Mississippi prairie
their supply, and it is no longer
necessary for producers to haul to mar
ket.' And Monroe is no the only
county in Mississippi that has already a
large alfalfa acreage. There r q
number OF them. The prairie section
may lead in acreage, but the Delta is
becoming a close runne 1t is an i'm
portant crop on lands suited for it's pro-
duction, and we may expect to see the
acreage largely increased during the
few years.
While the State Live Stock Sanitary
board and the United States govern
ment are engaged in a campaign
against the cattle tick in the northern
tier OF counties the people all over the
might begin a campaign for their
eradication on their own farms. Where
the farm is all under fence and the
stock law in force it would not be a diff
ticult job at all. If three-fourths of
the farmers of the state would do this
the time necessary to bring the quaran-
tine line down to the waters edge
would be greatly lessened. So soon as
the systems employed can be officially
gotten hold off they will be given pub
in this department. Keep a look
for the card of instructions and
give it a trial.
Local unions could do no better work
to offer premiums for the best
yield of corn by it's members. County
unions might offer a handsome premium
for the banner county yield. Tho edu-
%cational features of the union could not
be more rapidly advanced
than by the adoption of q system OF
this character. Put on your studying
cap and look this suggestion over.
There is something in it.
Planting time is fast passing in Mis-
The most important subject
now to be considered is what shall the
be and what will it bring?
Presidents Hightower of the Union