The Lexington advertiser., 1910-01-21
Retain the County Agricultural
Commissioner.
Editor Advertiser

Editor Advertiser s.,
It is considered by all thoughtfuI
and experienced farmers and business
men that the present conditions sur
rounding the farming Interests OF the
country are more unsatisfactory tnan
have been for many years. Last year
farming operations were disastrous,
and the average farmer found hlmselt
at the end of the year in worse hnan'
cial condition than he was at the DO
ginning. His debts could not DO palu
out of the little cotton that he mace
notwithstanding the high prices real
lied. The corn cribs are empty, or
nearly SO. already, and most farmers
will soon have to begin TO buy corn
for their work stock Few have 'neat
sufficient to carry them through the
wear, and many of them have none al
all, The cost of living is growing
higher all the time. 1t costs about
33i5 per cent more now to feed ana
clothe the family than it did ten years
ago. Mules are higher than they we're
last year by about $1,000, neat mas
gone soaring until i: is too hlgh TOT
people of moderate means to BUY ana
corn and Other grain and feed stulls
are higher than last year. The LABOR
ia in a demorallzed condition, and the
prospects that confront the farmer are
discouraging. The boil weevil Is al
ready fianking us on two sides or the
county. notably in Yazoo and wash
ington counties. These insects may
not reach us the present year, but the
certainty that they are near our Dol
ders but tends to make a dlscouraglng
situation all the more gloomy.
Old methods of farming are being
abandoned and new scientific and IN
telligent methods are taking their
place. This is the day of improved
machinery and farming implements
He who clings to the old will continue
from year to year to buy corn and
mules and meat and leave his debts
unpaid, and his farm to grow poorer
and poorer. There is hope and prom
ise for him who will resolve to ADOPT
the scientific method and profit by the
experience of those who are making
farming a study, and a success along
scientific lines.
The government is wisely and Will
iugly doing all it can to aid the cotton
Warmer, and paving large sums fol
y expert scientific men to go among
otI people and teach them. Nearly
} every county in the state, through ltI
board of supervisors, recognizing the
great importance of this work, has
employed competent men to aid the
government employee or else supple
mented he salary of the man in the
employment of the government. Never
before were the people so willing tt
learn; and never did the farmer neec
the benefit of wise counsel and advice
more than he needs it today.
In Holmes county last year botl
the government and the county wer'
most fortunate in the selection of MIR
W. B. Lundy He has done more t.
upbuild the farm and put 1t on pay
ing basis than any man in the county
He is energetic, intelligent and pro
gressiye, and above all, he is MAJ
of character The writer, who ha
known him for quarter of cen
tury, has never heard his honesty o
his Judgment upon agricultural an,
kindred subjects, questioned. sue
men as be are needed to develop tn
state to its highest possibilities an
bring out the best there is in the sol
Mr. Lundy, in early life, had not To
benefit of scientific education, bu
by close study and large fund G
common sense and application, he ma
mastered the subject of farming to
greater extent than any nlan of my &C
uuaintance. His influence and exam
pie have borne fruit throughout tn
county. At this crisis in the falmin
interests of the county the public ser
vices of Mr.. Lundy cannot be dispens
ed with. 1t would be short .sighte
policy of the board of supervisors no
to retain him at any reasonable com
penSation AGRlCOLA,