Oxford eagle., 1918-12-19

market for s1.10 per bushel. The
County Agent found market for
several cars at s1.40; he published
this and Immediately the local market
advanced l5c per bushel. This had
been the case in every instar-a since
cooperative shipments began.
During the past two years, tota
of S500,000 has been passed out to the
farmers by the Agent. for produce
marketed comparatively and this cash
return is only the least of the benefits
derived, for greater than all is the
wonderful improvement shown in the
| County as a direct result of awakened
interest and renewed energy. The
/ County is now one of the foremost in
the State in all that goes for better
agriculture; foremost in diversified
ton. in improved livestock and farm
/ implements, and foremost in wide
awake rural communities.
There is no county in Mississippi
with a more diversified list of pro-
duscts. Every food crop, vegetable
and fruit known to this climate. is
raised here fo-- home consumption or
market. In every community of the
County we hold annual Community
| Fairs previous to our co-ordinated
County Fair and il is truly marvellous
to note the variety exhibited. These
/ fairs, by the way. are no small part
of the great scheme that in its total
/ ity is opening up such wonderful
vistas for the South. Rivalry and
competition are engendered by them
and without these there can be no
progress in agriculture or any other
industry. The management of these
fairs is in the hands of a fair COM
mittee chosen from the Community
Clubs and is under the supervision of
the County Agent.
To enumerate the instances of cattle
and hogs saved by timely vaccinations
the miles of hillsides ter-aced and
ditched. the hundreds Of fruit trees
pruned and SPRAYED. the dozens of
home orchards planted and all the
many and various meetings of far
mers and boys which have been ad-
dressed on real problems would be too
tedious for both reader and write
Suffice il to say that we have en-
deavored in this County above all
else to make our presence here of real
benefit in practical WAYS. There have
been no sensational bursts of activity
followed by long periods of inaction;
hut we believe the work has progress
ed smoothly. evenly and practically
and that much good has been accom-
plished.
The following extracts from letters
recently received by the Ceu "
Agent briefly summarize the sitaa-
tion.
From the Hon. James Stone, Sr..
banker. lawyer and farmer:
Before you came into the County
we had no hog or cattle industry, and
no reliable market for farm produce
other than cotton. The on-coming of
the bool-weevil had alarmed business
men and the outlook for the agricul-
tural interests of the County seemed
quite gloomy. II was then that
Demonstration work began and
change in the spirit Of the people
sas Immediately observable. The
work here has resulted in building up
an extensive stock industry; extend
ed diversification, and more prosper
Gus conditions than the County has
experienced in a quarter of a century.
Notwithstanding war conditions and
iabOT shortaRe. Nnere mas Deen an 4p-
preciable advance in the value Of
lands. greater stability in business,
and greater hope and confidence in
spired in our people. In my Judgment
eve.y line of business and industry
owes to you and the work that you
represent a debt Of gratitude"
From Mr.. John A. Donaldson,
Superintendent of City Schools:
''ln my opinion there has been no
more effective educational agency in
the County than the Demonstration
work. II has not only added to the
material and financial welfare of the
County but it has created community
interest and pride where there were
none before; through this work Com
munity Clubs have been organized;
Community Fairs have been held and
Boys Pig and Corn Clubs organized.
] have been associated with this work
for the past few years: particularly
in Lafayette County. and am sure that
it has looked to the betterment Of the
people and conditions generally"
L. A. OLSON,
County Agent.