Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1914-09-03

othsoh. MISS, sept. L, 1919.
To the Honorable Board Of Trus-
tees. Nississipppi State Penn
ientiar. JACKSON, Miss.
Gentlemen -
Since u August meeting l
lave visited all the State farms.
Parchman Farm.
the condition of the conyicts
sra their care and treatment are
good and / have no complaint to
nake. | am pleased to note i'm.
provement along these lines.
While there have been some
eases of serious sickness here they
have occurred almost entirely in
the families OF the Sergeants and
Drivers.
y good crop of corn is practi'
cally assured on this farm. a
enc lot of Alfalfa hay has been
raised and the crop of kaffir corr
Is very promising. The cotton has
suffering during the last , weeks
from too much rain and as a con-
sequence, considerable shedding.
The army worms have done little
damage up to date. but are in.
ereasing in numbers and locali-
ties on the farm. Dr. Gathings,
has been watchful and is actively
using poison to destroy them. but
on account of the frequent show
ers the best results could not be
obtained. but with the return of
good weather the Superintendent
hopes to minimizs the rayages og
these pests. In my opinion a
good cotton crop will be made at
Parchman in spite of the army
worm: an extra large crop would
have ben made had the army
worm not appeared.
Dipping watts are being installed
Mt different camps Tor the eradi-
cation of the cattle tick aud /
fully endorse this movement; as
they are much needed. the state
having already lost several head
of cattle on account Of ticks.
The wooden bridges over the
ravines, sloughs and bitches on
the public roads aefoas this farm
to be discontinued and re-
placed with brick culverts. The
wooden bridges need frequent ~
pairing and some of them are al
ways dangerous 10 man and
animais. believe 1t would be
good economy 10 substitute the
cYlverts and ! so recommend.
The new gin is abou. complpet-
ed Owing to the continued rains
work has progressed slowly.
Three men escaped on this farm
this month. but all were captured
and returned to the ppenitentiary
ROAD CAMP.
On my inspection OF the roads
| found no complaint except as
ro their sleeping quarters. They
are not what they should be. No
screens. consequently the mcsqli-
ros are very severe on the men.
two escaped ON the 25th by cut
mig through the floor. This was
co; hard to do. as the building
IS an old one.
Belmont Farm.
l found conviets here in good
condition. health good and no CON
oiaints. The, corn crop is fairly
good. however. will make suffi-
lrient yield for this farm. The
cotton is very sorry, the boil wee
vii is bad and have destroyed all
except a few bolls at the bottom
of the stalks. 7 am satisfied two
thirds Of the crop is gone.
Oakley Farm.
i find some little complaint here
among the prisoners. however, of
no serious nature. Only one man
sick. There is no cotton on this
farm. The corn crop is fairly
good About 500 acres in corn
and / estimate the crop at 1900
bushels. Fine hay and pea crops.
Stock in good condition. Fine lot
of colts and cattle. We have the
Red Pole cattle on this farm.
Tank at the new well is nearing
completion. At the Hospital |
find some Improvements since my
last report. No deaths and only
one in last stage Of consumption.
Rankin Farm.
The white prisoners are kept at
this farm and they seem to be get
ting along AS well as could be
expected. Only one reported sick
No complaints as to their food or
Treatment. l made a close i'm
lspeetion of the crops and estimate
the corn crop at 1900 bushels.
tn early corn is not so good but
the late corn is fine. The other
erops-oats. peas, cane, hay, po-
iatoes and melons are all good.
The stock is in fine condition.
The last mares purchased are
showing up nicely and 1 think
they will be a paying proposition.
We are selling some of the old
cattle and will replace them with
better grades. and will thereby be
able to sell good grade of cattle
to the farmers of the state at a
reasonable price.
Respectfully submitted.
p. Z. MATTHEW'S,