The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1949-07-28
Flood Control Pro;ed
Progress In Holmes
Bi-AnnuoI Report
Made By Goa

Made By Goa
During the first six months of
l949 considerable progress has
been made by the Holmes County
Soil Conservation district toward
the completion and expansion of
flood control activities within the
Black creek watershed, according
to j. R. Coca, soil conservationist.
Erosion control measures planned
for that section of the minor wa
tershed adjacent to and in the vi
cinity of Owens Wells have been
established.
These jobs include the planting
of 100000 loblolly pine, catalpa,
and black locust Seeding trees on
% farms. A total 10000 of these
trees were planted by government
contract, while 10000 were plant
ed by farmers on their own land.
With the good survival secured
in these paintings, it is expected
that the pine trees will be an i'm
mediate help in erosion control,
later becoming valuable as tim
Der. The catalpa and black locust
trees were planted to replenish
the dwindling supply of fence
posts, and 1000 kudzu seedlings
were planted on approximately
five miles of caving roadbanks
and streambanks.
Eight acres of guiiies were
planted in kudzu in an effort to
slow down erosion and restore the
land to usefulness. Eighteen
farmers planted 300 pounds of
sericea lespedeza on land from
which most of the topsoil was lost.
Lespedeza bicolor paintings were
made on three FARMS to furnish
feed for quail and other game.
From January 1, TO June 80,
"A flood control plans for 3744
acres of farm land were written
and approved by the district COM
missioners, the general idea being
that of using all the land on the
farm according to its capability,
increasing the per year acre row
crop yields, and stimulating live
stock production.
In addition to the work pro-
gress already given in this report,
overall planning has been COM
pleted on 1852 acres, which in
cludes that portion of Black creek
watershed extending from the
source of the creek to a point
about nine miles south.
This overall land use plan was
prepared as basis for determin-
ing the land use changes, vegeta-
ton, and engineering work need
ed to reduce the runoH of water
and soil loss due to erosion. BY
means Of timber stand improve
ment, new paintings Of pine trees,
paintings Of perennial legumes on
quilted hillsides, improved pas
lures on the lesser slopes and low
lands not adapted to row crops,
the district commissioners through
the flood control plan, hope to re-
duce materially the water and
soil loss from this area. It is ex-
pected that the bottom soils, when
properly drained, will furnish the
necessary row crop land.
Due to the fact that about one
Of every eight acres is not being
used; that much Of the land now
in cultivation is not suited to
row crops, and that woodlands are
not being managed to best advan-
tage, it is hoped that the farmers
will take an active part in estab-
and maintaining the flood
control program, Mr.. Coca said.
Through application Of flood
measures, the district an
ticipates increased production
from the row crop land and bet
ter livestock program made pos
sible by controlled grazing Of the
woodlands, improved pastures,
better crop rotations, perennial
legumes, and adequate stock wa
ter. The establishment Of flood
methods within the desig-
mated areas should lead to mark
ed reduction in loss of both soil
and water and to a more prosper