The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1912-12-12
.EPORT ISSUED ON
COUNTY SOIL SURVEY
HOKSGRlOUlMPHOVtHEH
|sntains Pity Printed Paess
Giving Agricultural condi-
tons and Prospects
Around Columbus

The United States Department
Agriculture has issued a re-
prt Of the soil survey Of
owndes county. recently made
the bureau of soils. There are
ge main topographic divisions
the county varying widely in
ils, drainage and density Of
bpulation.
The report contains fifty print
pages showing the agricultural
knditions and prospects, and the
haracter of the thirty-two diff
Frent types Of soils encountered
bring the survey, and what
Tops they are best adapted to;
30 a mechanical analysis of the
lis and indicating what agri-
hltural methods should be en-
Dyed TO obtain the best possible
elds from them. The report is
fcompanied by map in colors
lowing not only the locations of
e different types of soils, bot
WINS, villages, settlements, farm
buses. churches, school houses,
Pads and streams, and states
bat this county contains $40
uare miles or 946. 400 acres.
A gradual Improvement has
[ken place in the agricultural
factices of the county, states the
port. Cowpeas and other
gumes are being grown in rota.
bn with other crops. Better
owing is being done, and along
ber lines there are striking evil
hnces OF improvement 30 that
zen those areas that have de-
kriotated dnder carelessness or
egligence are expected to retain
eir usual productiveness. The
rge stock industry, it is stated,
pes not hold the importance it
Id in the early days of settle
|ent, but especially on the prai-
soils which are peculiarly fit
ID for the production of alfalfa
I'D other forage crops there is
reason why the raising of live
ock should not be made profit. |
pie. Until recently nearly all
e work stock used in the coun- |
has been purchased from states
|rther north. A good team of
ules costs $4,000 or more, and
ley can be raised at a profit on
: e heavy clay loam or clay soils,
least as an adjunct to other |
hes of farming.
Not enough corn is grown in !
= % county, continues the report,
supply the local demand. |
ore attention should be paid to
|rn cultivation and seed Sc
ction. The Red Georgia Cob
Is succeeded especially well on
e poorer soils. Until the past |
fteen or twenty years farmers
bid little attention to cotton
rieties. This question has re-
Rntly been given more considera-
bn. although the particular soil
laptation Of the different varie-
es, has not been investigated as
should have been.
Among the less important crops
town in the county are Irish
hd swee potatoes, sorghum,
kgar cane. peanuts, Bermuda
hd Johnson grasses. alfalfa and
hrden vegetables. There is an
bundance of soil we'll suited TO
tish potatoes.
The report says: "Drring the
st five years, gratifying success
hs been reported in the com.
ercial production Of alfalfa on
he Houston clay. Many farmers
Fom the northern states. attract
by the mild climate and cheap
nds, as well as native farmers,
ave purchased and seeded con-
derable areas to alfalfa. and the
hdustry is constantly assuming
Rrger proportions. Many farm
rs understand the importance of
bill adaptation to different crops.
he Houston and well-drained
bases of the Trinity soils are
ecognized as excellent for alfal-
.. corn. soy beans aud grass.
he adaptation of the Ruston and
Il