Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1920-12-16
HON. JAS. STONE
GNESFAC
TO THE OXFORD EAGLE:

1t is reported that some persons
are energetically urging our county
demonstration work to be discon-
tinued. Some assign as reason IL
should be done in t;le interest Of econ
omy; others claim the work is OF no
value. Answering these contentious,
shall do so, as if all were sincere
end disinterested, though l have oc-
casionally heard some very ignoblc,
seil,ch reason given why this W TX
should be dispensed with. For lie
.sIsi class, this article is not designed
No argument, nor any army #
facts, will reach an individual wio
places his selfishness above the public
wieal, and who permits his petty
jealousy to control his judgment. 1t
lis to those who sincerely believe the
work should be discontinued for eco
lnomical reasons, or because they
believe it is of no value, that | wish
to appeal in spirit of fair and
reasonable argument. No well mean
ling person desires to impose useless
burdens on the taxpayers, nor to
squander public money. At this
time especially the very strictest
economy in private and governmental
affairs SHOULD be encouraged. But,
"a penny wise and pound foolish"
policy should not be adopted. Let us
consider the value of this cooperative
work in the light of the best known
authority, and apply the experiences
of the most progressive nations and
individuals. History furnishes many
instances of nations going to decay
and becoming bankrupt, by neglect of
their agriculture, and depletion of
soils, and disregard of sane economic
laws. These nations after becoming.
exhausted, have been compelled to
spend much money and devote much
time in rebuilding. If t.lis fact is
doubted by any one, let them consult
the histories of the old European
countries, and of the older states in
our own. Many instances of this
sort are recorded.
Again, let us consider the advice
of our wisest and most farsighted
men; men of great vision and phil
anthropy. They have universally en-
couraged every form of improved
agriculture, soil building, etc, and
many have given freely from their
private fortune to promote this
work. Why should any one now
question the wisdom of such men?
Our own government, long delayed
participation in con nstructive agri-
cultural course, but it has now recog-
nized its Importance, and is spend
ing much money, and employing
skilled men and women in its en-
deavor to extend this branch of the
nations industry. If this work was
ever necessary anywhere, why is it
not so in Layfaette County, and es-
pecially at this time? Our lands bear
evidence of sad neglect, of loss of
cultivation, and diminishing crops.
This cannot be denied by anyone who
has travelled little, and has OBJ
served even carelessly. Is not our
present distress sufficient to urge all
to seek the best methods of improving
agriculture, and to embrace the best
economical plans? If so, t:1en GER
tainly it is poor economy to discon-
tinue this imperative work, already
too long delayed. Would it be better
to apply the pruning knife to other
less essential things? Some, who
perhaps, recognizing that it is a good
work, claim that we are getting no
results. Let us see whether this is
true. 1t is true many of our people
are not profiting by it as they should,
but that is solely their fault, and even
these are receiving more benefit
from it than is apparent to tlem.
am reminded of conversation | once
heard between two farmers in GER
tain county in Mississippi 1t was
about the time when the occupant of
the Governors office was strongly ad-
vocating abolishing the Experiment
Stations in Mississippi. Both of
these men fully agreed that the gov
enor was right; that they were doing
no good; that the maintenance of
them was an unnecessary expense. I
broke into the conversation, to ask
Continued on page Sx.)