The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-04-22
A Valuable EXPERIENCE.

worth the theory of a Dozen" 1t is the
purpose OF this department to publish as
many actual experiences as possible, hop
ing TO give to the farmers of Mississippi
monthly as much information of this
character as can be gotten together. An
experience of this kind from a fellow
farmer is worth a great deal and stimu-
iates Others to try to do something equal.
~ as good or better. Contributions of
This character are solicited If you have
been successful, give your fellow-man the
benefit of your experience.
Dr. r. w. Thompson of Lumberton
sees bright future ahead for his section
OF our great State, and offers the follow
ing experience:
Your efforts in behalf of the proper
development of our State are certainly
worthy of every commentator Your
Greater Mississippi column as bureau
f*or the dissemination of valuable infor-
q nation and means of communication
between the varied industries and inter
ests of the whole State is indeed inter-
esting and valuable.
ut occurs to me that your work could
be facilitated and strengthened if more
OF our citizens would give you the cor
dial assistance and cooperation that
your endeavors merit. feel that many
progressive citizens of this portion OF
the State should make known through
you their experiments and the result, in
order that the agricultural possibilities
of South Mississippi may be better UNI
derstood.,
Il am aware that from the time South
Mississippi was first known, it has been
generally regarded as the poor section
OF the State. Its representatives in the
Legislative bodies have been referred to
as being from the COW countless Before
the value of its timber interests was rec
ogmzed, stock raising was its only in
dustry of any Importance. Great herds
of native cows and numerous flocks of
sheep roamed its virgin forests and fat
tened on its luxuriant, nutritive grasses.
Conditions changed and numbering be-
came the all important interest. The
whirr of the Saw has been almost con-
s'fhbouS. dot iii nave utcll Ilduc
into the natural wealth of this section
by the lumbermen for the several years
past and much of the land has been de-
nuded of its timber wealth. In few
more years at the present rate of con-
sumption, saw-millirg will be a thing of
the past here.
Already another condition eonfronts
us. The question of the hour is: What
will you do with your cut-over land?
Thoughtful, intelligent men should be-
gin, and | am gratified to be able to say
that they are beginning to answer it and
not waiting until the timber is all gone
Industries should vary as conditions
change that we may experience con-
tinued prosperity.
>"Being intensely interested in the so
luton of this question and having given
some thought to it, l firmly believe that
is to eventually become an important ag-
ricultural section. Everything consid-
cred, heathfulness, climatic conditions,
ease with which the soil is cultivated,
the returns to the industrious and intel
ligent farmer will be as great here as
anywhere. As reason for this state
ment, let me give you the results OBJ
tanned from my 'piney woods farm stu
ated about four miles from this place
Of total of $50 acres in cultivation, 90
was placed in cotton and 60 in corn. The
yield of cotton was 81 bales that of
corn 100 bushels. Twenty-Five acres
of the cotton land was new ground. Six
horses were used in the cultivation, maxi
ing an average of more than 1870 bushels
Of corn and nine bales of cotton to the
horse. In addition, more than 600 bush.
els of sweet potatoes, peanuts, peas and
other forage crops were raised with the
same team. About one-eighth of an acre
in sugar cane yielded enough cane to
make Is gallons of fine syrup. One
sixth of an acre grew 45 bushels of Irish
potatoes.
"This work was done with ordinary
labor and with no other supervision than
that which professional man, actively
engaged, could give it. The results have
been so satisfactory that it is my inten-
lion to open up the remainder of the two
sections which | have acquired, just as
rapidly as possible. From my own ex-
perience, / am an enthusiastic believer
in the outlook for South Mississippi,
agriculturally.
wishing you continued success in
your great work, l am"
DIR. Thompson is undoubtedly correct
in his deductions as to the outlook for
his section along agricultural lines. The
lands in his section are generally under
laid with a good clay subsoil; fertilizers
remaining in the ground until taken up
oy the plants. The soil is warm and
gets an extra carly start in the spring
and the seasons especially favorable to
farming operations. The greatest need
Down there now is for good people to
take up the cut-over land and make
zach quarter of it produce sustenance
for a family. What difference it