The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1946-06-20
Farm Census Reveals
Interesting Facts
Size Increases;
Fewer Fomilies;
More Livestock

A lCCSltiy puUllSIleu 1870 census
report reveals some very interesting
changes in Holmes county agricul-
ture during the last five years.
The average size farm in 1910
was COL acres and in l945, 1853 acres.
We had $3.50 farm families five
years ago, but in 1945, this number
had dropped to $500.
Our horses and mules have in
creased from 9,675 to 9,814. All cat
tie and calves have increased from
1884 to 81 1888. The beef cattle have
almost doubled in number, while
milk cows have decreased slightly
Hogs decreased from 81 PSI to 20, 440.
It is indicated however, that since
the report shows an increase in
brood sows, hogs are on the increase.
Poultry shows good increase
from 112,650>to 135,7O5 although it
is indicated that 763 farm families
do not have any chickens.
As our livestock increases, our
feed bill likewise takes an upward
turn. In 1910, $29,290 was paid for
feed, but in 1945, we upped this
amount to $l28,549.
Our corn acreage reduced from
63,622 to 47,848 in the five year
period. On the other hand oats were
brown by only 10 farmers in 1910
showing 1871 acres, but in 1915, 178
farmers planted 6,480 acres. The
average per acre figures almost Al
bushels in 1945 while the corn crop
showed 1872 bushels per acre. Which
do you think is the cheaper to grown
A big difference is shown in the
practice of planting soybeans in
corn. In 1910, 297 farmers planted
1888 acres of corn and beans, but
in l945 only SO farmers planted 728
acres. A real increase however, Is
shown for beans planed for harvest.
In 1910 % farmers harvested 924
bushels. but in l945, As farmers har-
vesed 1896.
Holmes county used to be big
producer of field peas, literally thou
sands Of bushels were placed on the
market every fall and winter at Lex
ingon, as well as other towns of the
county, but this report indicates our
farmers have just about quit planting
and harvesting peas. 32,4l7 acres
were planted as companion crop to
corn in 1910, while in 1945 only 283
acres We're planted in this manner.
Cowpeas harvested in 1910 were
26,550 bushels, but this amount
dropped to 3,249 bushels in l945.
We show an increase of lespe-
deza planted from 1892 acres in 1910
to $3.50 acres in l945. Although this
report does not show the acreage of
cultivated land that has been con-
verted to pasture during this five
year period, nevertheless, this re-
port indicates that the farmer Is
changing the agricultural picture in
Holmes county. More livestock, more
pasture, more hay, and more crops
that can be harvested with machin-
cry and less acreage in row crops.
Even our cotton acreage has drop
ped from almost $4,000 acres in 1910
to 52,69l last year. This change is
certainly healthy one, Although
our livestock, our pastures and feed
crops have increased considerably |
in the last few years, they have not
increased to the extent they should. |
Many of our hillsides that are wash |
ing away should be converted to
pastures. Every farm should have a
livestock program, the same |
as it has on row crops, nevertheless,
we have more than 1000 farm fam !
lilies who do not even have a milk !
COW. We have $3.50 farm families
with no brood sow. More livestock,
more pasture, more feed, more graz |
ing crops, will make Holmes county !
a more prosperous county. /