The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1912-10-25
A County Farm.


son county have on their hands, just
at this time, the question OF the
economical disposition Of the county
convicts in one of the three ways
now allowed by law, to.wit: Work
ing them on a county farm; keeping
them in Jail; or working them on
the public roads, or other pubic
works. 1t having been found by
experience that it is not profitable,
and quite expensive, to work them
on the public roads, the county farm
plan is now under consideration.
Here is an idea and an opportun-
ity worthy Of consideration. Agrl-
culture is the bone and sinew OF
stable prosperity everywhere, the
forerunner and the very mud-sill OF
progress and industrial develop
ment. Jackson county has just
passed through an era of industrial
activity that, for half a century, has
drawn away from the farms ana
tillage of the soil her rural popula-
ton, insomuch that the county IS
almost one vast waste OF cut-oVer
lands with no trained and skilled
men to return to and develop the
grass-grown fields OF their ances-
tors. That the soil is well adapted
to agriculture is doubtless true, and
to substitute farming and stock rals-
| ing for the now well nigh exhausted
pine forests and lumber manufacture
is recognized as a matter OF vital
importance.
The price Of the land is low
enough, climate and health, land
scape and stream attract, but where
| is the proof that season and soil
and nature favor profitable returns
to the farmers who look with SC
favor upon these good features tha'
are patent as the emigrants go pros
pecting through our sunny South.
1t is true that from few small
farms and gardens, jackson county
has carried off the lions share OF
State fair prizes, but where is the
farm that produced them'
A demonstration farm is the thing
we need, and need right now. A
farm conducted under the super
vision Of a practical and trained, if
not a scientific farmer. This work
can be done by the county convlcts
lin a way to reap returns, amply, II
not more than sufficient, to pay ex
penses, fees and costs, to relieve
the county entirely of his prison ex-
pense. This done, and the demon
stration, under intelligent direction,
would furnish an advertisement and
practical assurance to the world OF
what can and is being done, worth
more than all the talk and printers
link now being so lavishingly LAID on
| by those who are trying so hard tc
catch the prospector and practical
farmer from the old farming states
The law authorizes the Board OF
lSupervisors to buy, or lease, a farm,
land the leasing plan is being consld'
cred. several desiring to enter into
| such contract of lease as will
carry a sharing of the products, and
thus divide the risk. But, what
lever the plan of operation, the
lone thing of first and greatest
magnitude, is that the proposition
| shall be under the direction of a
practical, trained and intelligent
farmer. If a mistake should be
made in this matter, resulting IT
failure or Indifferent success, hum.
Bile bee," cotton, and nubbins'
lcom, the reward of the slouch OIL
moor greenhorn, it were better that
1.-THE idea had never been attempted
at all, for we have too much of that
already. The convicts can work,
and work well, and almost anybody
as a guard, can see that they work,
but that work, the time and manner