iiil|i|i|i!iliipli!p;lii^ ^ <*>, .0^ °i _ \* ■ay ^ - t?^ -Q- ■a,*' ■'cfc. -'^^Ti^ ^0 °^^ •"• ^f° .. V "-^ \^ o ^f^- ^■^-^. ^0^ - ' * • ' w'' ■'"'% c - • * "'''b '".,** 0^ .:^:'>o a\ V .c°- ■\V .••>'^""" v^*.....\. <^ ^^ ' ^^^ "^ -v ^^ .Vr,^^,>- -^^ /^^ .^ .Vr .0 ,f. S' «; y ^ r I irssi'S-iiss-----^. THE] STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. COMPILED AND ARRANGED BY ORDER OF THE STATE DOAIII) OF IMMIORATIO.^ AM) AORICULTIRE. BY E. G. WALL, COMMISSIONEK. 18 7 9. JACKSON, MISS.: Ci.ARioiij Steam Printing Establishment. 1879. ./ ^ •SSSZZSZZTSSSSTTSSSSSSTZTTXXZXXSXXTZTTrXSSXTTTXTTSTXTrri 'JLxszzz. J a, C. B. RICHARD & CO. 9^0. 61 ^voah\va\i ' etabltrt 1847. flfii .n litem Ortf (inroKaV " '^ '"** '2lint,cjf„„, Grofraung oun Grebitc, i?i feutfd,ranb. THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. RESOURCES, CONDITION ^ WANTS. COMPILED AND ARRANGED BY ORDER OF THE 8TATE BOARD OF IMMIGRATION AND A(iRIClLTURE. BY E. G. WALL, COMMISSIONER. 187 9. JACKSON, MISS.: Clarion Steam Printing Estaiu.isiimknt. 1S79. STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, ITS RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. The following general outline of Uie resource?!, eonclilion and wants of the State of ^lississii)})! has been prepared, in order to draw public attention to facts which, it is believed, if known, would result in turning in the airection of that State a part of the enterprise which has benefitted many of ihc sister States, and in- duce the immigration, both foreign antl domestic, which is so much needed there. The writer has endeavored to base his statements upon the solid foundation of facts, knowing that it is only from a truthful presen- tation that good can come to the State. It is anticipated that full and accurate statistics will soon be published under the authority of the State, 'but meantime this pamphlet is [)resentod to the i)ublir in the hope that interest will be awakened. TlIK AUEA OF TIIIC STATE Is 47.15b square miles, or 30,179,840 acres. The following state- ment will prove interesting, as showing the number of farms in the State at the times named, the number of acres comprised in theser tarms, and the quantity improved : Years. Xo. of Farms. Xo. of Acres. Amount Improved. Average Size of :' Farm. 1850 33,900 10,500,000 3,445,000 3(1!) 1860 42,840 15,840,000 5,065,000 370 1870 08,023 13,121,000 4.20[),000 1!)3 CLIMATK. The climate of lilississippi is genial a:id salubrious in general. STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. Its territory extends north from the sea coast, about five degrees, and embraces a varied temperatufe. The summers are long and warm, but rarely reach the extreme heat felt in the North, East and Northwest. The evenings and nigiits are pleasantly cool in conse- quence of never-failing breezes from the Gulf. The winters are short and mild. In the extreme northern part of the State ice is seldom seen moi-e thnn one infh thick, and in the southern part, killing frosts are very rare. The Rev. Dr. Johnson, makes the following statement: "I vvas born and reared in Western North Carolina, on the table lands of the Blue Ridge. I came to Mississippi in 1S49, and have lived here ever since. In have enjoyed almost uninterrupted good healtii. I have never had a chill, or an attack of any disease that I might not liavc had anyv^here else. I liave worked by day and night, indoors and outdooi's. I have traveled extensively over the State at every season of the year, especial^ in the summer, and my general health ])as been as good as if [ had been breathing mountain air. JM}^ family, nine in number, suffer no incouveuieuce from the climate. My children arc as robust, healthy and active as any family of children yon will find in the Northwest. I have luid under my control, for eleven years [)ast, a large number of ^-oung persons, two hundred or niorc, and over one hundred under ra_y o\v)i roof for several years. They have come from North Carolina Kentucky, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas, and their health has been as good as similar collections of 3-oung per. sons in Northern States. During the time there have been only four deaths." General West, in kis report on the State of Mississippi in 187C,. sars: " The climate of ^Mississippi is 'the happ}' medium,' vviiere tlie products of tlie North and South meet, grow and mature in har- mony T,ith the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. No country is more regularly irrigated by rain falls, or better supplied with aqueous vai)or than Mississippi. (See p. 7.) The moisture and humidity so necessary to the life and growth of vegetation are borne from the warm bosom of the Gulf stream, and from various rivers, and diffused througliout her borders. Her lands are so varied in their physical formation, location and production, as to suit all classes and conditions of society,*' SOIL. Tlie soil of Mississippi in general is fertile, and us subsoil is Rf:SOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. good and well adapted to sustain the surface and contribute to large productiveness. No lands will yield more, and Ijettcr repay thorough tillage and careful husbandry. The alluvium, of which the State has an immense quantity', is equal to any in its power of production. The upland soil of the Walnut Hills, black prairies, •marl slopes and limestone intervals, possess great richness, and even the Black Jack Ridges, post-oak flats, pine plains, sand hills and white sands of the sea coast, can be made to produce remuner- ative crops under skillful and careful tillage. There has been, however, considerable deterioration in the fer. tilit}^ of some portions of the State, a large area having been nllowed to wash, and a still larger having been abandoned for new land. There has been too much laud available for cultivation for the population, and after a few years of imperfect tillage, the peo- ple have ai)andonod their fields and cleared fresh ones. Agricul- tural work is done, gencrall}', in a very unskillful manner, with mules unfit for work, nnd with inferior implements. The soil is scratched over, ami the planters get out of it all the}' can, never troubling themselves, however, to return to the soil even a small portion of what it yields. The fact that moderate crops are pro- duced under such conditions, i)lainly demonstrates the natural fer- tilit}' of the soil. A considerable portion of this abandoned land is susceptible of rapid and eas}' improvement, by the use of lime and marl, of which the State has almost an unlimited supply, Professor Hilgard (formerly State Geologist) writes, with reference to one of these deposits of marl, as follows : "The marl beds of Byram, on the Great Jackson, about 172 miles from New Orleans, contain millions of tons of marl, which is admirably adapted to the pine land soil along the line. It has above 44 per cent, of lime, OGll of {)otash, 34.720 of carbonic acid." Cotton seed, of whicli the State i)roduces annually from 200,000 to 250,000 tons, clover, and above all, cowpeas, may all be used to restore the soil to its natural fertility'. 1 experimented this year on about twenty-five acres of the so-called worn out lands, and with the use of thirty bushels of cotton seed to the acre, I have now the linest oat field that probably can be found in the State. Every i)ortion of tlie State is well watered by clear, running streams, and by numerous rivers (lowing tiirougii broad, alluvial bottom lands. The northern [tortion of the State is linel;, wooded. lias a rolling STATE OP MISSISSIPPI. surface, and the soil produces very abundantly. The valley lands are, however, the most productive and durable. There is a large section of prairie in the eastern part of the State, extending through several counties. The prairie soil is a dark, heavy loam and of surpassing fertility. It is deeply impregnated with Hire, and produces cotton, grains and grasses in great perfection. Com- mencing ftbout fifty miles below the mouth of the Yazoo river, in- clining to the interior for about one hundred miles in a li«e gently circling through the center, thence diverging northwest to the State line, is as fine a sweep of country as any to be found, with soil of the most productive character and unequaled facilities for market. The southwest, and country above it, is the oldest set- tled portion of the State. The soil there is rich, and the popula- tion was wealthy before the war. The land in the south and south- east is mixed; some of it poor and medium, and some very rich, but all well suited to stock-raising and fruit-growing, and possessing man}' of the pleasant characteristics of a pastoral countr3\ That por- tion of the State bordering on the Gulf, with its bathing facilities,, mineral waters, fish, 03'sters, delicious fruic, audits pleasant Sum- mer resorts, is becoming to the South what Cape May and Long Branch are to the North. Back from the sea coast the land is cov- ered by pine forests, which are being used largel}' for lumber and naval purposes. The other grand division of the State is known as the valley of the Yazoo and Mississippi rivers, and is 170 miles long and 50 miles wide, containing about 700 sq.uare miles, or 4,000,000 acres, of which about one-tenth is in cultivation. These lands are of the richest alluvial deposits of wonderful fertilit}', with immense forests of valuable timber of almost endless variet}^ The rain fall in the State is considerably over the average of most of the other States, as will appear from the following statement, taken from the U. S. Census Tables for 1870: Ivanras, Texas, Indian Territory. Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 20 to 32 inches in rain. '■32 to 44 inches of rain. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. Kentucky, ~~| Tennessee . . U4 to 50 indies of rain. About halt of Jlississippi, ( About half of Alabama, J About half of Mississipui, ) r,, ., , „, ,. ,. •„ ,, , ,,,.,,. , , . , 1.. ,. X . . ' ' - 00 inches ol lain mul over. About halt ot Louisiana, | PUICK OF LAND. Tlic price of land now, as compared with that prevai i ij; before the war, has vastly decreased. Land that then sold for lioin $15 to S75 per acre, can now be had for from $5 to $15. There is but a small demand, but a few thousand emigrants will soon double the present value. There are improved lands all around 'his place (Brookhaven), which can be bought for from 810 to $15 per acre, and which, witii proper cultivation and a favorable season, would produce to the acre three-quarters of a bale of cotton, 25 bushels corn, 35 to 45 bushels oats, 75 to 150 bushels Irish potatoes, or nearlj' double the quantit}' of sweet potatoes. These lands are adjacent to the railroad, town, church and schools. Lands at some distance from the railroad can be had for from $5 to $10 per acre. In many cases the improvements on these lands are worth the money. Wood-lands lor pasture can be bought for from $2 50 to $5 per acre, according to locality, and the timber will l)e valuable in the course of a few years. The same remarks apply to nearly- all portions ot the State. Reference is made hereafter to the prices of public lands. The State has also several millions of acres of land that has been for- feited for taxes, and this can bo purchased at very moderate rates. rUODUCTIONS. These are as varied as the climate, the sr.il, and the surface of the State. Tiiey include all the cereals, vegetables and fruit ot the temperate zone. All the most important textile productions, such as cotton, flax, ramie, jute and wot)l, and even silk, can be raised to great perfection. Wheat, corn, rice and tobacco grow well, and with intelligent culture would become staples of great importance. Irish and sweet potatoes, all garden vegetables, and fruits of every kind yield abundantly. Grasses do linelv. Sugar-cane is raised successfullv for tlie production of molasses, and vine culture begins to attract great attention, and the manufacture of wine i)romises to become one of the industries of the pine woods region, it being well STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. adapted for the growth of the vine. All the semi-tropical and sev- eral of the tropical products grow well. FEUIT AND VEGETABLES. The Eev. H. F. Johnson, D, D., Principal of the Young Ladies' Seminary at Brookhaven, Miss., writes as fellows, under date of Aprils, 1878: "I am not a farmer, but I pay considerable attention to garden- "ing. To show what can be done with unskilled labor, I will state "that I had beets (for my family of about 130) over two weeks "ago — sa}^ as early as March 24th. They were planted in October, "and grew without protection. M}' crop, planted in January', will "soon be large enough to eat. I have had radishes, lettuce, onions "and turnips as early as March 7th, that were planted in January- "My Irish potatoes and cabbages will soon be ready for the table. "In fact, if my family were small, I would use Irish potatoes now, "and the same as to English peas. Strawberries, rasberries, grapes, "peaches, apples, plums and pears do well. Blackberries and figs "grow by the million." During the last two years more attention has been paid to the cultivation of vegetables and fruit, and the result has been so satis- factory that there appears a great disposition to largely develop this branch of production. Between Terry and Beauregard there are about 500,000 peach trees.- Within two yeais from now it is calculated these Avill yield an average of at least one bushel per tree. If only one-half of this (juantit}^ was shipped, there would be at least 250,000 bushels. There have been planted this year — Thirty-six acres of strawberries at Madison, Thirty " " at Crystal Springs, Ten " •' at Hazlehurst, And several more acres planted in small lots elsewhere. The cultivation of Irish potatoes is drawing great attention, as well as that of tom-^toes, cucumber.s, beans, spinach, etc. One gen- tleman alone expects to raise this season 3,000 bushels Irish pota- toes, 500 bushels tomatoes and cucumbers. Peaches ripen from the 20th of May to the 1st of June; Straw- berries from ihe 1st to the 20th of April; Irish potatoes from the 25th of April to the 1st of May; Tomatoes from the 20th of May to the 1st of June; Peas from the 1st to the 10th of April. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. LUMIJlCn. Tlie pine belt proper embraces a verv considerable part of the area of the St te, and yields the finest quality of yellow or pitch pine. When it is considered that according to the best authorities the aceessil)le timber of the great pine region of the North-west will be exhausted within the next ten years, the value of this great pine bult becomes enormous, and considerable cai)ital is alicady engaged in this business with remunerative results. Gen. A. ]M. West, in his I'cpo'.t on the State of ^Mississippi, in 1876, sa^-s: "The great (orestof long leaf pines covers more than one-third "of the area of the State. It covers a lar^e district cast and west "of Pearl River, extending to the Gull". This vast forest, taking "into view the quality and use of the wood, the inexhaustible sup "ply, the great height and si/ce of the trees, is an enormous store of "undeveloped wealth. There is no other such pine forest to be "found in the world. As fur back as 175:5, France supplied her "navy with masts and spars from this forest. Nowhere else could "trees of such size and height be obtaine(l. Tliis immense forest is "penetrated by numerons water-courses, which are capable of float- "iug the timber to the gulf coast for a distance of 60 to 100 miles. "It stands next to coal for fuel in factories and machine shops; yields '"turpentine more abundantly than nny other species of the pine, "and is the material most in use for building houses and railroads." STOCK UAISING. On this subj'jct I cannot do better than give you the following remarks of Col. Hill^-ard: "Regarding the advantages and cai)abilities of this State for "stock-ra'sing, nothing could bo more authoritative than the foUow- *'ing resolution, passed by the National Association of Short-IIorn "Growers, at the late Convention in St. Louis, whicii was olfered by "its former venoral)le President, Dr. Stevenson, and whieh formula- "tcd his investigations on that subject in this State. 'I^eaolcaf, "That the idea too common that short-horn cattle cannot be bred "successfully in our Southern States is erroneous; but i>m tiu; eontrary "that the climale anil the grass and grain products are well adapted "to the growlh and breeding of improved breeds of cattle, and that "their eiiea[) laud, and their clear and uncultivated fields offer a fine "and proiitable opportunity for herds of short-horn c:ittle.' The "resolution was unanimously adopted." 10 STATE OP MISSISSIPPI. Sheep-raising offers a source of profit unsurpassed in any State. All breeds can be raised in perfect health, almost without feed and care, and the yield of wool is of fine quality. The raising of lambs for early markets, West and North, of itself alone opans a new and remunerative field of pursuit. In conclusion. Col. Hill^'ard sa3's : "It is almost impossible to exaggerate the abundance and beauty '•of the creeks and rivulets in various parts of the State — the for- "mer clear and unfailing, and many of them well stocked with fish, "the latter translucent and perennial." Any description of the products of this State that did not bestow a word upon the flowers would do an injustice to the climate, and disappoint the expectations of alUoversof the beautiful. But who can enumerate them, or what pen portra_v their glories? AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN 1850, ISoO AND 1870. ARTICLES. Value of Home Manufactures.. " of Animals Slaughtered. " of all Live Stock Number of Horses '• of Mules " of Milch Cows " of working Oxen , " of other Cattle " of Sheep " of Swine Spring Wheat, bus-hcls Winter Wheat, bushels Rye, bushels Corn, bushels Oats, bushels Other Grains, bushels Rice, pounds Tobacco, pounds Cotton, bales Wool, pounds Peas and Beans--, bushels .., Irish Potatoes, bushels Sweet Potatoes, bushels Wine, gallons Butter, pounds Cheese, ])o unds Hay, tons . Molasses, gallons Honey, pounds Wax, pounds 1850. S 1,161,000 3,636,000 19,404,000 115,000 54,000 214,000 85,000 436,000 304,000 1,582,000 137,000 9,000 22,500.000 1,503,000 1,350 2,720,000 50,000 484,000 560,000 1,072,000 261,000 4,742,000 400 4,346,000 21,000 12,500 18,0110 400,000 1860. $1,382,000 7,809,000 41,900,000 118,000 111,000 208,000 105,000 416.000 352,000 1,552,000 1, 588,000 39,00(1 29,057,000 221,000 3,600 809,000 160,000 ,202,000 666,000 1,955,000 414,000 4,563,000 7,500 5,006,000 4,500 32,000 10,000 708,000 42,000 1870. ^ 505,000 4,090,000 29,940,000 90,000 86,000 174,000 58,000 269,000 232,000 814,001) 67,000 208,000 15,000 15,658,000 414,000 5,700 375,000 61 ,000 564,000 288,000 176,000 214,000 1,744,000 3.000 2,614,000 3,000 8,500 22,000 200,000 10,000 KESOllRCES, CONDITION AND WANTS 11 COTTON PUODUCTION IN MISSISSll'l'I AND LOUISIANA. MISSISSIPPI. LOUISIANA. Years?. 1 Acreage. No. of Bales. Acreage. No. of Bales. 1869-70 1,644,000 500,000 920,000 425,000 1870-71 ], 660,000 650,000 1,100,000 600,000 1871-72 1,490,000 495,000 960,000 396,000 1872-73 1,650,000 625,000 1,010,000 520,000 1873-74 1,900,000 675,000 1 1,100,000 510,000 1874-75 1,880,000 550,000 1 1,150,000 520,000 1875-76 1,900,000 670,000 i 1,250,000 650,00!) 1876-77 1,920,000 639,000 1 1,215,000 578,000 MANUFACTURING STATISTICS TAKE"? FROM U. S. CENSUS REPORTS. ARTICLES. 1850. Xumbcr of Manufactories I 947 Xumber of Steam Engines Number of Horse-power ' Number of Water Wiieels I Number of Horse-power Number of Hands employed 3,154 Capital invested " $1,815,820 Wages paid 771, 52S "Value of ]\Iatcrial used I 1,275,771 Value of Productions I 2,912,068 1860. 976 4,775 $4,384,492 1,618,820 3,146,639 6,590,689 1870. 1,731 384 10,019 225 2,453 5,941 501,714 ,547,428 364,206 154,758 Referring to nianufacturing interests, the facilities for water- power ill various portions of tlio State are iinniense, and very advan- tageousl}^ distributed. The princi|)al articles manufactured are I'urniture, lunibei-, oil, machinery, cotton and woolen goods, bricks and tiles, etc. WATER WAYS AND RAILROADS. The entire wcst'.'ru border of the State is washed by the Mississipp river, and the southern border by the Gulf of ^lexico. The Tom bigbec river, running into the Gulf at ^Mobile Bay, is casil}- acccssi ble in the northeastern part of the State. The Pearl rivcM- runs through the centre. The Yazoo and Big Black rivers, with their tributaries, and several other smaller streams, afford great facilities for marketing the products of the i-egion they traverse. 12 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. Two important railroads run tlirough the State from iiortli to south, and several cross it from east to west, connecting in man}- places with the Mississippi i iver, and with the entire railroad sys- tem of the United States; and other railroads are in course of con- struction. The Chicago, St. Louis & New Orleans railroad affords facilities for shipping goods, fruit, vegetables, etc., to all the great Northern markets, sueh as Chicago, St. Louis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Indian- apolis, Cleveland, Pittsburg, etc. As fruit and vegetables can be raised here several weeks earlier than they mature in the North, the shipper has the advantage of disposing of them at the remunera- tive prices generally ruling at the beginning of the season. 13IMIGKATI0N. This State seems to be almost terra incognita to immigrants, and the few that do farm the exception, come here prejudiced; First, On account of the large colored population, and the com- petition of labor; Second, On account of the turbulence that has of late years char- acterized Southern politics; and, Third, On account of the supposed unheaithiness of the climate. In the first objection there was at one time some weight, but with- in the last few years the negroes have begun to change their habits to a great extent. Stealing has diminished rapidl}^ and property has become as safe as in most of the Northern States. As to com- petition with negro labor, there is little to fear; for while the freed- man is good for raising cotton, corn and some other small articles of production, the white man has the advantage and preference in all work requiring skill and management. As to the second objection, the prevailing spirit in the commu- nity at large is in favor of law and order. The last Legislature enacted stringent laws against carrying concealed deadly weapons, and public sentiment sustains this enactment. In the objection of the unheaithiness of the climate, there is no reason whatever, and this is very plainly demonstrated by the sta- tistics of mortality in fourteen States of the Union (see p. 24), and which shows that Mississippi ranked second lowest in the percentage of death-rate in 1870. A gentleman who has thoroughly studied this question writes as follows: RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 13 "Severjil 3'ears age I issued to all the newspapers of this State and Louisiana a circular letter, asking their readers to give me their opinion of the climate in this State. I received letters enough to make just a pamphlet, and I suppose there is not in the possession of an}' other man so conclusive a refutation of the delusion as to the uncndurableness of the Soulhcrn climate to the Northern or European man." White labor can .'^tami the fliinate as well as (.olorcd, with lew exceptions. Wlutc men have now for many years cullivaled land in all tiie coast parishes of Louisiana, such as Lafourche, Bayou Teche, Terrebonne, Attakapas, St. Landr^', and indeed all over the State. They cultivate rice, sugar-cane, cotton and many other pro- ducts, better than the colored man, and maintain Ihcii' health just as well. Two-thirds of the working classes in the pine district of the State, including the sea coast, are whites — both natives and naturalized citizens. Immigrants from the Eastern States, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, England and Ireland bear exposure to the sun, and stand the climate, in every respect, as well as the native population, or immigrants from Southern Europe. If these facts, and the advantages that this State possesses, were known, a great many immigrants would seek this State. The}' could find lands at verv reasonable, indeed, at nominal prices. They could raise almost every kind of fruits, vegetables, and agri- cultural products. Many owners -of land in the State would be glad to rent it on shares. This svstem is in considerable use, and ijives. I understand, satisfaction. Immigrants can take advantage of the Homestead act, and secure land at tbe following rates: Forty acres for S 00, Eight}' acres for 7 00, One hundred and twenty acres fcu" 14 00, One hundred and sixty acres for 15 00, With the obligation on their part to live on the lands and improve them. Tiie lands, however, available under this act are mostly .situate in the pine districts and on the coast. The tide of immigration to the Great West still continues. Last year, however, from 400 to 500 families came to this State, princip- ally from Indiana and Illinois. From all reports they seem to be doing well, and the indications arc that other families will follow. If in addition to this the State could get a share of the immigration from Europe, its resources would be considerably developed. On this subject the Rev. Dr. Johnson writes thus: 14 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. "Immigrants are yreatly desired. All wlio ars sober and indus- trious will be gladly welcomed. There is room for thousands. They can buy lands at low rates, ami on easy terms. 01' course^ there are jand-sharlis here, as elsewhere, who will extort the last cent they can get. All the reports — and I emphasize the (ill — that Northern people are not well received here, or are ostracised, are without foundation. There maj^ have been individual cases, but none ever came under my observation. I have traveled from Grand Junction to New Orleans, and across the State, and have mingled with all classes of people, and the sentiment of all is in favor of immigrants." BOARD OF IMMIGRAnON AND AGRICULTUUE. At its last session the Legislature of the State mnde a wise and forward movement by establishing a Bureau of Immigration and Agriculture. Such a department was much needed for the develop- ment of the resources of the State, and helping to raise it to the high and prosperous condition reserved for it by a bountiful Prov- idence. The existence, however, of such a eenter of information will be of little service, if not provided with sufficient means for the real- ization of its object. It is confidently believed that the Legisla- ture, thoroughly understanding and appreciating as it does the importance of the subject, will provide the necessary means to render this department a complete success, and turn the tide of immigration towards this Stale, which has all the attractions and resources to offer happy homes to hun^lreds of thousands of fami- lies. At the head of this Board is Major E. G. Wall, a gentleman ot ability, and who is desirous of promoting the public welfare. He has in his possession all the information that immigrants can need, and on making application to the Board, will have their interests protected to the utmost. His office is located at Jackson, Miss. POPULATION. The j)opulation of the State at the census of 1870, was 827,922, of which 382,896 are white, and 444,201 colored. This population is divided as follows : White. Colored. Male 195,283 217,722 Female 187,613 226,479 RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. Since 1870 tlie geiu>i-nl impression is that the poiJiilalion has iii- creasod to nearly 1,( 00,000. The total amountof outstanding indL'htcdne^s3 of the State, on January, 1, 1878, was 7. •$2,9")4,45.S 00 But in Older to arrive at a correct understanding of its finan- cial condition, it is necessary to make the following de- ductions, viz: Current Fund, Balance in Treasury, January 1, 1S78 ...$519,092 ()7 Chickasaw School Fund, represented by War- rants in Treasury 185, 2(59 97 Amount due Chickasaw School Fund 815,229 11 Amount due Common School Fund 817,640 46 Amount Currency on hand owned by Insurance Companies, and not included in Cash Bal- ance 85,000 00— 2,422,738 21 Balance $.531,719 79 The amount due the Chickasaw and Common School Funds, beinf^ debts ui)on which only the annual ir.tcrest should be paid, are deducted as above, thus showing a balance of actual indebted- ness of only 6531,719 79. Captain Gwin, Auditor of Public Accounts, in his suggestions to count}- officers, concludes as follows: ''I may be i)ard<)ned for congratulating all the ollicials of the State, as well as all the people, upon the favorable auspices under which we enter upon the discharge of our respective duties. I think the affairs of each count}', with scarce!}' an exception, are in good hands. The credit cf the State, thanks to the wise measures of retrenchment and economy inaugurated by the Legislature of 1876, and i'ollowed up by succeeding Legislatures, is at par. Her warrants are equal to currency anywhere within her borders. The avocation of speculators upon the State's credit is ended. The few bonds that she has autlu)ri2ed to be issued are anxiously sought after by her own cai)italists. Her forfeited lands are being rapidly redeemed and repurchased, and thrown back upon the county assessment rolls to e(|ualize and thus reduce the tax on the aggregate real estate. Efliciency, honesty and integrity of govern- ment can do much more than has yet been done to relieve the fax- payers of the heavy burthens which have rested upon them for the last decade. The main object of revenue laws is to impose upon every citizen his share of the taxes necessary to carry on the State and county govei'nmcnts. And if every county ollicer will scru- pulously discharge the duties marked out for him, this grand object will be substantially achieved, and the burtlen of government pro- 16 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. portiontitel}^ lessened. When I express the belisf that our county officials will do this, I feel assured that I am not indulging in chi- merical crecyUit}^ or extravagance, but simply indicating in advance the determination which animates each of them.'' TAXATION. The following is an extract from t!ic State la-.v, on taxntio'i: "Be it further enacted, That the State tax is hereby tixed at 3^ mills, including the tax to pay principal and interest on bonds; and Boards of Sui)ervisors are hereby prohibited from levj'ing taxes, which added to the State tax will exceed $12 50 per $1,000 of taxable property ; Prodded, That to meet anj^ outstanding in- debtedness, the amount hereing provided may be exceeded, but in no case shall the total tax exceed $15 00 per $1,000." Thus it will be seen that the utmost extent of authorized taxa- tion is 1^ per cent, on the valuation of property. The actual rate of tax as now being levied is, of course, very much lower. EDUCATION. Year. No. of Schools. No. of Teachers. No. of Pupils. 1850 18G0 1870 964 1,29S 1,564 1,168 1,695 1,728 26,28(5 39,800 43,451 There are now in tliis State G,830 free public schools, and 2,275 school buildings. The Total Number of Educable Children, is 868,387 Of these there attend the Public Schools 181,932 The average Daily Attendance, is 121,826 The Number of Teachers, is 4,125 The average Number of Days Teaching in Country per year. 77 The average Number of Days Teaching in Cities per year 200 Average monthly Salary paid Teachers $29 20 Total Keceipts for School Purposes $532,652 Total Expenditures for School Purposes .v $517,470 There is one University, endowed with a grant of land by the United States, which has had an average attendance in the past of 200 pupils annually. There are 19 colleges and academies, with 82 professors and teachers, and 915 pupils. There are schools for tlic blind, deaf and dumb, and various private school enterprises scat- tered over the State. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND AVANTS. 17 The public free school s^'stem has been in existence in this State only since 1870, and has been growing in favor, and spreading its influence, ever since its introduction, as will be seen by a conii)ari- son of the annual reports. The sparsity of the population in many locnliiies has very much retarded its progress. Under the new school law adopted by the Legislature of 1878, it is believed the school interests of the State will be still further ad- vanced, niany of the objectionable features of the old law being repealed and new ones substituted that are better suited to the wants of the people. As yet, but few of the country schools hnvc advanced bojoud the elementary branches of an English education. In some of the cities and villages, graded schools of an excellent character are found. The efficiency of some of these latter, liowever, is some- what impaired this year by their failure to get the benefit of the Peabody Educational Fund, which they have received annually for several years past. The trustees of this fund, owing to some un- successful investments, were unable to devote an}- portion of the interest to the schools of this State for the current year. We are, however, promised a liberal share in the luture. The average amount received by this State annuall}-. heretofore, has been about .$8,000. The schools for advanced colored pupils, supported by the State, are the Alcorn Universit}', in Claiborne count}', with about .100 pupils ; and the Holly Springs Normal School, with about SO pupils. Those attending the last school arc required to sign an agreement t9 teach for tlirce years in the public schools of the State. There; are one or two institutions for colored 3'outh for teaching higher branches, notably the Shaw University, at Holly Springs, and Tougaloo University, in Hinds county — both on the Chicago, Saint Louis and New Orleans Railroad. Neither of these are State institutions. On this subject, Dr. Johnson writes: " The difficulty in having schools the year round in many parts of the State is the sparsity of population, and the poverty of the people, the children having to assist in making the crops, during the busy seasons. Our sys- tem of public schools is a good one, and is being improved from year to year. But there are so manj' non-taxpayers that thb funds in many of the counties are not sufficient to support the schools tor the whole year. People are now more than ever disposed to educate their children, and I presume that all the white children. 18 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. and neavl}', if not all, the colored, receive instruction in the lower branches. " The schools for higher education are numerous, and nearly all of them are doing well. The matriculations from the State Uni- versity, annuall}', number over 400, from Mississippi College about 150, from Whitwortli Female College (Brookhaven) about 200, and from a number of other institutions from 100 to 150. " The Agricultural and Mechanical College will be organized in a short time, under a recent Act of our State Legislature." The number of libraries in the State in 1870, were 2,788, contain- ing 488,482 volumes. The number of newspapers and periodicals published in 1870, were 111, with a circulation of 4,703,336. There were at the same period 1,800 churches, with 485,398 sit- tings, and representing property valued at $2,360,800. The fol- lowino- table shows the details of these organizations: No. of Societies. Organizations. Edifices. Sittings. 665 Baptist 652 175,000 787 Methodist 776 209,000 262 Presbyterian 258 71,000 32 Episcopalian 83 7,500 2 Congregational 10 2,500 32 Eoman Catholic COLORED LABOR. Opinions as to free negro labor are divided; some, principally Southerners, consider it a failure; others do not. The writer's ex- perience (though small) is on the latter side. The freedman in general is not a skilled laborer, but in most instances and locali- ties, works well. The share system is in favor with the colored people, and when encouraged and properly managed, they work with good effect. Inactivity and indolence on their part seem to diminish from day to day, and a feeling of moral responsibility is being gradually developed, stimulated by the hope that they will obtain their due proportion of the results of their labors. EXEMPTION LAWS. There is exempt from seizure and sale, under execution or attachment, in favor of each head of a family or housekeepei-, in this State, the following propertj', to-wit: Eighty acres of land. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 19 two horses or imiles, oue yoke of oxen, two cows and calves, five hogs, five sheep, 150 buslieis of corn, 300 bundles fodder, 10 bush- els wheat or rict', 200 lbs. pork or bacon, one cart or wagon worth $100, one sewing Uiachine, The tools of a mechanic necessary for carrying on his trade. The agricultural implements of a farmer necessary for two male laborers. The implements of a laborer necessary in his usual employment. The books of students re- quired for the completion of ctlucation. The wearing apparel oi ever}- person. Libraries of lawyers, doctors and ministers of the gospel, not to exceed $250. All globes, maps and books of any school. 8100 of the wages of all laborers. The property exempt from taxation, is as follows : ^yearing ap- parel (but not to include watches and jewelry), provisions neces- sary for family consumption, all produce raised in the State ii the hands of the producer, all dogs, one gun kept for private use, all poultry, household furniture not to exceed $250 in value, 2 cows and calves, 10 hogs, 10 sheep or goats, all colts until they are three years old, farming implements used for agricultural purposes, tools of a mechanic necessary for carrying on his trade, libraries of all persons, pictures and works of art not kept lor sale, all property for agricultural and mechanical societies and fairs. The following letter from Col. D. Dennett, agricultural editor of the widely-circulated New Orleans Picayune, gives interesting in- formation. There are few men in the South more competent to write upon this question. Brookiiaven, Miss., April G, 1878. C. ^Ienelas, Esq. : Dear Sir — You ask my views as to the wants of Mississippi — its industrial wants — as to what this State needs to secure for its in- habitants [)rospcrity and independence. I think a large influx of farmers, mechanics, and manufactu- rers, and a more complete system of education— particularly indus- trial education — indispensable. The best plan of settling up the State is by colonies, chiefly from t!ie Northern and Western Slates, and from Europe. When a few immigrants settle in a neighborhood, lands immediately go up to such prices as to check or stop immigration to that point. If colonies of from twenty to a hundred families of farmeis and mechanics would organize in otiier States, and send agents to purchase from 5,000 to 10,000 acres of land in a body, which could be purchased in healthy and eligible localities at from $2 00 to 20 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. $5 00 au acre, the ultimate success of such coloaies could hardly admit of a doubt. Capitalists purchasing large tracts of laud, aud planting on such lands colonists of good character, persons noted for their industry and skill, aiding them in the beginning, and giving them from five to ten years to pay for their homes and advances, would find safe investments for their mone.y, and would render a valuable favor to the colonists, aud to the State. A small factory or two could be started in each colony, involving an outlay of from $2,000 to $10,000, for manufacturing wooden- ware, chairs, and household furniture, axe handles, hubs, spokes and felloes for wagons and buggies, corn-broom handles and brooms, buckets, tubs, fruit-boxes, and numerous other things. They could also put up canned and dried fruits, preserves, pickles, canned vegetables of various kinds, and mau3' other articles of value. In the hands of such colonists, lauds that cost $5 00 an acre would, in a few years, be worth $50 00, and their industry and thrift would stimulate the industr}^ of both the white and colored population of the State, and would attract industrious immigra- tion to the State in large numbers. The ultimate result of such a movement would be a better State Government, better laws, a better enforcement of the laws, and a more complete system of education. * Such immigrants would unquestionably meet a cordial welcome in all parts of the State, where they settle, and b}' all classes of people; their p. rsonsand property would be as secure as in the Western States. I am sure that a heavy tide of such immigration to this State would create general rejoicing and congratulations as the harbinger of better times, and of lasting prosperity and peace. Individuals with a few hundred dollars can secure homesteads and make a living m.uch easier in Mississippi than in any of the Eastern or Western States. Industrious immigrants from Europe may find far better encouragement in jMississippi, and have better prospects for lasting prosperity than they can find anywhere in the Great West. Dan'l Dennett. Before concluding, the writer would add that he has been living in America nearly eight years. During that period he lias visited several of the Eastern, Northern and Western States. The more he comes in contact with the Southern people the more he finds RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 21 reason to regret that any doubt should exist as to the iinmigrant being kiudly receivetl liere, or to his enjoying poi-rect sccurit}' of life and property, and perfect freedom of political and rel'gious opinions. The attractions that JMissiasippi offers to the industrious and in- teUigent immigrant aie innumerable. He will live in a land of plenty, where the climate is salubrious, the air balmy, the summers have unfailing breezes, the winters are mild, and where the soil, under judicious tillage, can produce crops almost the j'ear round. To Rev. H. F. Johnson, M. J. Warren, of Brookhaven; Col. D. Dennett, of New Orleans; Col. M. B. Hillyard, Hazlehurst; Major E. G. Wall, Commissioner of Immigration and Agriculture; Gen. Smith, of the Board of Education; J. L. Lake, Jr., Col. Musgrove, Capt. S. Gwiu, Auditor of Public Accounts, of Jackson, and Gen. A. M. West, of Holly Springs, thanks are given for the information supplied in furtherance of the object in compiling this statement, which, impei'fect as it may l)e in many respects, will, it is hoped, be of some interest to the v/cll-wishers of the State, and more partic- ularly to that po?>'erful element of immigration, which has contrib- uted, and is still contributing, so much to the gigantic development of til is great commonwealth. C. Menelas. Brookhaven, 3Iiss. We cannot better tell who Mr. Menelas, the author of the above pamphlet, is, than by republishing the following taken from the New Orleans Picavune: BuooicnAVEN, Miss., A\)y\\ 2'o the Editor of tlie Picayiote : The portion of Mississippi that borders on the great railroad that extends from New Orleans to Chicago is at present under a cloud, but occasionally we find an opening in the cloud through which we can see its silver lining and the clear blue sk}' beyond. Mr. C. ^lenelas, a Greek gentleman of great enterprise, last fall bought the Whitworth plantation, situated on tli3 railroad two miles from this place, and with his brother and ndplicw commenced farm- ing here last Januaiy. The estate consists of 1200 acres of pine and bottom land with a comfortable dwelling, a saw mill, cotton- gin, corn mill and a liberal suppl}- of barns, sheds and outhouses. The outhouses and fences needed pretty extensive rei)airs, and 22 STATE OP MISSISSIPPI. most of the old fields, like scores of thousands of other old fields in this State, were much impoverished and greatly the worse for wear. The new proprietor, charmed with his new home, has undertalveu the regeneration of this estate with resolution, energy and intelli- gence. With his simplicity ot living and strict frugality so much needed in this country, can hardly fail of ultimate success. He is a merchant farmer, never having followed farming before; and mer- chants and doctors appear to make better farmers than many who have had a lengthy experience in agricultural pursuits, but find it hard to throw off old prejudices and to adapt themselves to the new order of things. Mr. Menelas has the sagacity to hunt up the best practical farmers in this country and to draw from them facts which he turns to good account. He will this season plant a pretty broad surface in corn and a moderate amount of cotton. This year will be a season of cautious, but judicious experiments, on his estate in regard to some of his crops, to be pursued or abandoned in coming years according to bis success or failure the present year. He has planted about 50 acres of oats, 13 of Irish potatoes, 3 of barley, 1 of rye, 1 of Alfalfa, 1 each of chufas and peanuts, 8 of sweet potatoes, 5 of red clover, 3 of flaxseed, some jute, three-quarters of an acre of buckwheat, a few"artichokes, some strawberries, sugai'-cane, 15 acres goDseueck sugar-cane, rice, Ger- man millet, etc. He has planted 3700 cuttings of grape vines, 13 varieties, including theDevereaux, Louisiana, Herbemont, Cunning- ham, Hartford prolific, Ives' seedling, Clinton, Bland and Concord. He has planted 200 scuppernong vines, which, at the proper dis- tance, forty-five feet each wa}', would cover between four and five acres. He has also 200 plum trees, and a large number of pear, apple, peach and fig trees. He has an orchard of bearing peach, apple and pear trees, and they promise a fine yield the present season. They comprise some of the best varieties of fruit in the South. Mr. Menelas has three breeds of hogs, but he will give special attention to the raising of Berkshire hogs. He is confident that every good farmer in this country may supply himself with plenty of home made bacon for his own use at a small cost. He intends to test the capacity of this soil for mixed farming. If the season proves favorable, and the result of this year's labor are satisfactory, he will do a good work for this railroad and this country, and the State. The railroad and this countrv need emigrants and enter- RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 23 prising men who prove the real and innate value of this soil, attract immigration and give an increased market value to the lands that now have hardly anv market value at a'l. Mr. Menelas was in the East Indies eiglit j-ears^ and has lived and done business in P^urope and New York, has examined California with much care with a view to settling in that counlr^', and like the British drum, "has beat around the world," to arrive at the conclu- sion that no part of the world suits his fanc}' and tastes so well as the country' bordering on the New Orleans, St. Louis an I Chicago railroad, in Mississippi. — Cul. D. Dennett, Af/ricultural Editor of -ZV. 0. Picayune. 24 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. (f) M H r/) C/) k; M w v_; H M w <^ M H V2 n (/J H h- ( ^ >^ P W H t— 1 M 'Pi 1-1 q -; CO 1- lO i.O O O CO^-^ .—I Tfl 1^ O CO o »o I- S^l Ci CO :^1 1 uO :M — C~5 CO T vO o o I"; ;m C3 CO o OS -j::! O r~ "^ O •* r— _cci CO I— i?-130a3'n'OC5i— 1 •O CO r^ C^ O -* t~- 05 00 CC C5 O CO TTi '-'__0_ t— "co'cr-^'cD'-^'^cTr-r > -^ tH r— 'TJ CD O t^ ) 00 O C-I O O l^ o > lO -* C^ IM CO CO O •:>) c^ -^ CO -* ■^ t~- ^ COiDrHC^i'HC2'— lOi t- iro o >— I O co^t— lO T— iCOOOXOOt-i in^cicDoOoi^i CO'r-T CM CO o 1— I CO u; -* — I CO Tji o ^^ t^ o 03 .:0 CM jq >-< rH t^ C^ I- lO lO (M CO O 1 c o •M t^ -*| c:: ^ ( O TJ C-. O CO C. t- - > t^ O 00 03 (M o-^" o'co" o'oo'o'iffl co"— "t^'^" CO o C2 -^ CO o o o CO o o oo uo 'M lO CO 1^ O -,5 l^ O 00 CO ^ I OD C^ lO ■>! t^t-asooocoiMt^OTfo^t-T-H O ''O <^ r- ' O CO rM I— I O •— ' 'O -f O 1^ I- CO t— OOCOLOOOOCO'MOSI'-.CO rH 1—1 1—1 1— I (M 1— I r-< '^Jl 1-1 .— ' O ■* CO r-l CO 'M C3 CD O '^J lO ^- lO OiOT^OOi-OOOl— COCJ— 'COOi— I (M Tti 'SI 7^) a CM O :N O 00 O L^ CO oi_ -iTicro't-''^' t-^oo'oo'^''i-r'oi o'o' -ti" cOeCrtfOi— (OOiOlOOCCiCOCOOO CniTjd— ,Ot--T— .1- OC^1c-i-icOi— lO ■ O '-0 -_ .. -- . -J oo CO 1— iCSOCOlOt— iCMt^CJCOCMCOJMO i~ ^ >o o 1— I 00 :m oo -f CO ■>] o oo TP ooo'McT^-^ioo.— icrsococo-^oo 0(MCMC5rH-rfiSMa5 CO_^f~",'^,t~ ^•'^■^i, o''co'i-H''cD''co'"'N''co'oo'cf'* >0 CO CO O f-i OS -^ CO :M CO J2 CO en 1^1 C^l '.'0 Ci 1^ r^ 1— < O O (^ "* C3i IM O t^ 00 C5 oo C5 t^ 1— I (M O O O -r}i t— C0__r--_0 0_^:M__i-<_ o'cd'^n'oo'co'-* Vt-'"'-'o'ocrt--"rf-^'i-r 1-1 1-iCO 1-1 !M (MCOrHi-l CM r-l CO C5 — CC O 'O >-H "N lO O O O rs t^ -fi o ^ ~ —< r-i o TI crs lo jm i - C5 T t^ 1-H CO 00 C5 O_^00__3i 9, the Delaware is all that could be desired. We can raise the fig, pear, apple, cherr}-^ Jill the small fruits, except, perhaps, the currant and gooseberry; and we can raise fruits in perfection. As to vegetables, I will not start to enumerate them. One must see them before they can be appreciated. Along our southern border Uie waters teem with the most delic- ious fish — green trout, sheephead, redsnapper, shad, jiompano — what an array of llnny luxuries does this list present I Then, there are green turtles, oysters, crabs, etc. Even in many of our streams fine fish are abundant — I mean those higher up the State. But who can enumerate our i)roducts ? I must hurry from the partial list to say a word of our resources. Here we enter a domain comparatively untrod. Could we but transplant to Mississippi tlie wealth, enterprise and skill that mark the Eastern States, what a transformation would be wu'ought I ^Look at the numberless water-power, in our State ! Consider our raw material in cotton alone, that ought to be turned into fabrics on our own soil, instead of paying the toll it does before it reaches tlie consumer. See our vast forests of timber for wooden ware, furniture, carriages and Avagons ! How many clear water streams, and rags — of which no one takes any account— for manu- facturing paper I Here are millions of acres of oak, a great hide emporium near, and yet we bring almost all our boots and shoes from the East! What fine wool can we raise — we took the premium against the world at the "World Fair" ii London, and our sheep we can shear twice a year. How inexpensively ar(^ sheep raised. With what fecundity do they increase ? How beautiful they arc ! 36 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. Poiule'r what a vast field there is for one branch of industry — rais- ing lambs for the early markets ! All the nation north, east and west is before you for a market, with no possible competition from any of them. You can have your lambs ready for market here before they are dropped there. See what another field there is, as 3'et untouched, in making but- ter and cheese in the South for the Nortli and East! From the 15th of November to April, we can give them the most delicious Jersey butter, fresh with tlie flavor of blue grass and clover. I will not pursue tlie thought, but, as ihere is a profound enjoyment in being laughed at for a fool, when one is sure he is wise, I desire to predict that, by another quarter of a century, the Southwest wil^ be the great butter-making and cheese manufacturing section of the countr}-. What a sight it will be to see our fertile prairie lands teeming witli Jerseys, browsing in raid-winter on clover and blue grass knee high, and trains thundering over the Mobile and Ohio railroad on fast time laden with butter for the North and East, and known as "the Butter Express!" Here is our Southern coast between Mobile and New Orleans. It ought to be the hither Flor- ida. Here is fine sailing; either safe in the shallow bays, or more daring in the sound and gulf. Tlie finest fishing is to be found. Hunting can be had wear at hand. The climate is as mild as need be, and less debilitating, I think than Florida. If shopping and gayety be desirable. New Orleans and iMobile are near. Then it is so accessible. The day will »ome when our pine-woods will be dotted thick with people seeking health for pulmonary affections, I never fail to reiterate this; and the forerunners have already come. In a few j-ears, beautiful residences, and grounds, where the flowers are red- olent all winter, will spring up like magic. They will bring botfe beauty to th® country and health to the resident. Climate cure will be popular in a few years; and the pinewocwls will be the great sanitarium. When it shall be known tiiat our State owes nothing, that our taxes are lighter than almost any State in the Union, that it has been demonstrated that Northern people and Europeans have no trouble in standing the cliniate, even when plunged into it in mid- summer, that !rO far from being a vast morass, reeking with malaria and harrassed with mosquitoes and fleas, that much of our country i.s very health}', high, rolling and breezy and almost entirely exemi)t from these pests^ that our lands are cheap, fertile, producing such RESOLiKCES,. CONDITION AND WANTS. 37 a wide range of valuable products; that we are splendidl\' furnished with railroad facilities in parts of the State, with improvements constantly progressing; tliat we are but a day or two from the great markets of Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, etc., and near the sea for all the diversified products of the field and loom possible to our brighter day so certain to follow; that we welcome immigration as it never was welcomed before — with sincere yearning hearts and longing, open arms; when these things shall be better known, we shall have a large immigration here. I say it most reverenth', maj' God, the giver of every good thing, hasten that happy daj'! M. B. HiLLYARD. The above article is from the able pen of Col. M. B. Hillyard, who has been living in Mississippi for more than six years. Co). Hillyard is a native of Delaware and made his home in our State soon after the surrender. MIDDLE MISSISSIPPI, RUNNING NORTH AND SOUTH. 3IaJ. E. G. Wall: Dear Sik — I willingly undertake the task you have assigned me of describing some of the middle counties of Mississippi, for the benefit of those may wish to settle. And at the outset, I will state, that for many years I have contended, that Middle Mississippi, from the Tennessee line down to the long leaf pine countrj^, is the best for poor men and small farmers that I have ever seen, and I have been in most of the States east of the Mississippi river. THE LANDS in the counties of Calhoun, Choctaw, Winston, Attala, Leake, Kemper, Neshoba, etc., are generally hill}', with large bodies of bot- tom land on the watercourses. There are no large bodies of rich land\>n the hills, but on or near the creeks and branches there arc small tracts that are very productive. The bottom lands are rich in all the elements of plant food, but lie too low generally for suc- cessful cultivation. They onl}- need ditching and underdraining, to make some of the finest farms in the world. There is enough of these bottom lands in the counties mentioned above, to employ all the labor that is now in them, if they were only brought into proper condition for cultivation. They can any of them be bought for from $1 00 to $d 00 per acre, and the hill lands at about the same price. THE CLIMATE of these counties is unsurpassed for health. The winters arc short and mild and the summers'not unusually hot. There is always a breeze stirring night and day, and the nights are cool enough to make sleep a luxury. PRODUCTS. The lands in these counties produce cotton, corn, wheat, oats, rye, ric?, soighum, sweet and Iiish potatoes, and all the vegetables RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 39 usually planted ia the garden, peaches, pears, plums grow finely, but most varieties of late apples rot on the trees. The perennial grasses and clover thrive well, if properly cared for. There are thousands of springs, never failing, and of the purest and coldest water. Among these springs are many that afford strong chal}'- bcate and sulphur water. Some of those have been fixed up for the entertainment of visitors, who resort to them in the summer, for health or amusement. One of these, a sulphur sjjj'^ng, in three or four miles of Louisville, the county site of Win^loa county, called Gales Spring, is a considerable resort for visitors in tlie sum- mer months. There is not one-tenth of the land in these counties yet cleared, and in cultivation. TIMKEU. The best, oi the land is still covered with the original forest, composed of the finest timber in the world — red oak, black oak, white oak, post oak, Spanish oak, blackjack, hickory, elm, baach, walnut, ash, pine, (of the short leafed variety) chestnut and va- rious others too numerous to mention. WATER roWER. On the headquarters of Pearl, Big Black, and Noxubee, the small streams afford never-failing motive power for mills or manu- factories of any kind. The fall on these water courses is too little to afford good sites for overshot wheels, but there are hundreds of good sites for undershot or turbine wheels. If the citizens of these middle counties of jMississippi would quit raising so much cotton, which at the present prices, does not pay for producing it, and turh their attention to stock raising, they would have two dol- lars where they now have one. THE STOCK hero, cattle, horses, mules, sheep or hogs, need no feed or care in the summer, but live on the range or common. The winters are so mild and comparatively so short, that they need but little shelter or food. The cattle generally make out to live without care or atten- tion on what they can gather in the swamps and pick up about the fields. In some localities there is still cane enough to keep the cat tie in good order during the winter, without food. Tlic native grasses in the range, keep them fat during the summer months. 40 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. There is uo neighborhood of six or eight miles square, but, has a Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist Church, and there are a few Catholic Churches in the villages. The State free school system is in fall operation in these counties, and in every village and county site there is one or more schools of a higher grade where the classics are taught and students prepared to enter college. There is no railroad lunning directly through the counties named. There' is a branch from the New Orleans and St. Louis road from Durant to Kosciusko, the county site of Attala county, and this road and the Mobile road are near enough to make the transporta- tion of produce not very difficult. I have thus given to you, according to your request, as correct a description of the counties you named, as I can, and will pledge m}' honor for its truth. I could have gone more into minuticB, but concluded that it would take up too much of your space. Yours very respectfully, Tnos. P. Miller. Louisville, JVi7iston Counfij. OUR EXPERIENCES IN SOUTH MISSISSIPPI. To Maj. E. G. Wall : Previous to ru}' removal here with m^' family and eflTects, I bad visited the country four several times. Once with ra}' wife, I spent two weeks at and about McComb Cit}'. Then with an artist another two weeks, through Pike count}', and over into Louisiana. Then the same length of time in the vicinity of Hazlehurst. Finally, to test the summer weather, I spent the last of July and former part of August, in tlie same locality, eating peaches, figs and melons. During the two latter visits, I secured a site for a home, that could be made the center of a settlement of our Northern friends. Last October I moved here. We are in the midst of the fruit belt? which, beginning about Canton, in Madison county, runs to the Louisiana State line. Copiah county, at least along the railroad, is pine woods, but not so pronounced as tlie country farther south. The soil is mostly sandy loam, the subscil as a rule is yellow and sometimes red cla\'. The peac'.i, plum, fig and strawberry luxuriate here. Other fruits, do finely but the above excel. The soil producing average crops of grain. Cotton and sugar-cane, without fertilizing, yields most won- derfully to the influence of a stimulus. It pays here to cultivate a smaller area, and enrich the soil liberally. Puit if a man dotes on a large tract of land, let him enclose a sheep pasture and stock it, giving attention to his flock, and while he is planting his corn and cotton and attending to his fruit, his sheep will bo enriching his soil and repaying him from 50 to 100 per cent, on his original investment. One shepherd will be necessary to every flock, as i\Iis- sissippi dogs are fond of fresh mutton! lam becoming satisfied novv, that dairying will one da^^ be very profitable in this country. Bring good milk stock, young, give them the care you do in Illinois, Wisconsin and ^Michigan, and yt)U will double your net profits. Of this I have no doubt whatever. But vour stock will need sonic attention IVom December the 1st 42 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. until IMarch "the 15tb. They will need shelter from the winter rains; true, the stock here does not get it, but that brought from the North will need it, and no country furnishes more that can be made avail- able in this way, than this part of Mississippi. Let me sum up from my own observ'ation what you may do here. Your land will cost you on an average of SIO per acre (with improvements.) On every acre of cleared land you can produce, without manure, 15 bushels of corn worth 75 cents per bushel, (a very low estimate) amounting to $11 25, or about $3 50 above the average in Illinois. You can raise 100 bushels, (very low again) of sweet potatoes, worth right at home from 50 to 75 cents per bushel. You can raise of oats, a very respectable and profitable crop, and by sowing in the fall, can pasture upon it during the winter, and cut your crop in June. You can raise wheat, but there is need of farther experi- ment, before I pronounce upon its profit. You can make 300 gal- lons per acre of molasses, worth, at low figures, 50 cents per gallon. You can raise on every low spot, or even on dry ground, a large crop of rice. You can have your orchards of all kinds of fruits, except oranges and lemons, and these, if you wish, 3'ou can culti- vate with your choice flowers in your green-house. You can raise your sheep with a merely nominal expense, and at Wesson Mills, (in the county,) you can get your cash, say 25 cents per pound, for unwashed fleeces. You can fence a pasture, (they don't do it here generally, but you must do it) and have 3'our herd of Jerseys, Aj'shires, or whatever kind of milk stock you please, or you can raise good, hardy native cows and by feed and care make them very profitable. You can have vegetables in 3''our garden nearlj^ every day in the year. You can have winters without more than one inch of frozen ground, and summers^ with the highest range of the ther- mometer about 96o F., and your warmest da3's tempered by a refresh- ing breeze from the southwest. You can have an abundance of clear, sparkling, soft spring water. You can see flowers from Feb- ruary until tlie middle of December, and find wild fruits from IMa}' until November. Do not expect a wide, level, mu Id}^ expanse of black soil. You will find trees, aye, and stumps, but 3'ou will be more than recom- pensed by a delicious climate and a vast range of fruits and vege- tables. But above all, you will be kindly treated. Your political senti- ments will be respected — at least mine have been. IMy family and mj'self have never met with anything but tiie most cordial treat- RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 43 ment. True, the countiy is sparsely settled, compared with our old home in Bureau county, Illinois; but it is Just as peaceful here as there, and we only desire that having found a pleasant heritage in Mississippi, our old neighbors and friends might come and share it with us. Health is assured, so far as loc?l causes are concerned, at this elevation 500 feet above tide water. There are several fami- lies here from Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. All are as well satis- fied as we are. There are undoubtedly less causes of discourage- ment here than in the more newly settled West and Northwest, and those who mix their knowledge they bring from the North, with whattlie\' gather here, will without doubt succeed and become pros- perous. Respectfully, A. H. Widxey. Hazlehiirst, Copiah Coiotfi/, Miss. BAST MISSISSIPPI. To Maj. E. G. Wall: Yours of the 13th to liand and contents duly noted. First, let me congratulate the State of Mississippi in having a Legislature with foresight to provide for her primal interests and also, in select- ing the man it has to carry out this progressive reform of develop- ing our vast resources. May we not look for a better future. I wish that I was competent to do justice to East Mississippi; but being only a practical farmer for the last twenty-five years, (having spent the best of my manhood in the mechanic arts) I cer- tainly feel ni}^ inability to write up our section of the State. But as the world is in part carried on by muscle as Avell as brain power, perhaps, what I may say will meet the demand, of some like myself who have won their way by stern effort. I with much hesitancy undertake to comply with your request, well knowing that charity is one of your cardinal virtues. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF LANDS. To begin with nature as my text-book tlirough life, East Missis- sippi, or what is known by that name, lies geologically in the "Eocene" formation, consequently our lands and soil are mostly sandy, and called by geologists the Orange Sand, The sub-strata not being very tenacious, aflfords line drainage, or filtration on uplands, while our creek and river bottoms are more tenacious, and being level require ditching, to some extent, to make them effective. The uplands abound in long leaf pine, hickory, all the different varieties of oak, sweet gum, dogwood, blackjack, holly, etc. While the bottoms are covered with a heav\^ growth of oak, hickory-, ash, gum, beech, immense pines, magnolia, c^'press, etc. CROPS OF COTTON AND CORN. The uplands are rolling and easily cultivated, and under judic- ious management will 3'ield half a bale of cotton per acre, (250 pounds of lint) though I have made over a bale of cotton per acre? b}^ care and labor, with fertilizers. Our average uplands may be put down at from 12 to 15 bushels of corn, without manure, though RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 45 our bottoms and '"Reed-brakes" will yield from 20 to SO bushels per acre. I have known over 100 bushels per acre gathereil from '•Reed-brake" land; my own averages about 40 bushels. FRUITS, AND GARDKX VEGETABLES. All this region is well adapted to gardens and orchards, produc- ing the very best vegetables and fruits of every variety, adapted to our climate. Along the Mobile and Ohio railroad, which runs through this section, a great mar}' early vei^etablcs of various kinds, and peaches, pears, apples, strawberries, blackberries and plums are shipped to the Western markets, and to Mobile over this road. This truck farming and fruit culture could be indefinitely extended along the lines of our railroads. STOCK RAISING AND SHEET HUSBANDRY. A great deal of our lands that are not well adapted to farming purposes, being hilly and sometimes rocky, afford fine spring, sum- mer and fall pasture, (range) for sheep, cattle, goats and hogs and serve veiy well for mares and colts. Our reed brakes and creek bottoms, to a large extent, arc covered with switch cane, affording an excellent winter range, requiring but little other food for stock dur- ing our hardest winters, and consequeutly wo have a fine stock countr}'. FOKHST TREES FOR LUMBER. Our forests abound in the finest yellow (heart) pine trees for saw mills, an abundance of oak for tanning and wagon making, the hickoiy is not surpassed, and the sweet gum, poplar and magnolia are well adapted to the manufacturing of furniture and gin stands. WATFJl POWER AND MILL SITES. The main attractions to capitalists are the facilities for manufac- turing purposes. I will here say any water power may be had from a 10 up to 500 horse ix)wer. I know of a fall of 90 feet that runs nothing but a grist mill and its custom requires but one day iu a T,eek. The town of Enterprise, in Clarke count}-, has an immense water-power, where the Chunky and Oktibbeha unite and form the Chickasahay, a point where a "Southern Lowell" might be built, by skill and capital. Indeed, sites for small and large factories, can be purchased at nominal prices, in Lauderdale, Clarke, Wayne, iNcwton and other counties, in this section of the State. 46 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TOWNS IN EAST MISSISSIPPI. Meridian, Enterprise, Sliubuta, State Line, Lauderdale and Scooba, on tlie Mobile and Oiiio railroad; Hickory, Newton, Lake and Forest, on the Vicksburg and Meridian railroad, Meridian is our railroad center; here terminate the V. & M. R. R., the Alabama and Chattanooga and the Alabama Central, vath the Mobile and Ohio passing through from l\Iobile to St. Louis. In Meridian we have an Iron Foundry, Sash, Door, Blind and Furniture Factory; two Tanneries, a Cotton Factory, Merchant Mill and a Cotton Seed Oil Mill, She purchased thfe past season 20,000 bales of cotton. Besides, the cotten factor}^ at IMeridian, there are several others in successful operation in this section, two of which I will mention, the Wanita and Stonewall Mills, near Enterprise. THE MARLS OF EAST MISSISSIPPI. In the outset of this communication, I stated that East Missis- sippi embraced a part of the "Eocene" formation, and that you may know my object, I will here state that it was to infrom " tlie world and the rest of mankind," that we possess the best facilities for making a 2^c)-fect plant food, i. c, fertilizer. See L. Harper's Geological Report of the State of Mississippi. This region abounds in "marl" of almost every variet^^ accessible to the Vicksburg and Meridian, and the Mobile and Ohio railroads, and also on the Chickasahay, Buckatuua rivers, and many other creeks. The commercial value of the best varieties, is set down by Mr. Harper at $16 42 per ton, equal if not superior in value to Califor- nia gold bearing quartz, and not half the expense to prepare it. This "marl" when mixed with cotton seed meal (under a patent issued in 1852,) and with ashes, affording potash, gives one of the very best fertilizers, which will enable this section to become the Eden of the South, if not the nation. From the fact that we have the health, the water, the timber, pasturage, fair farming lands, every facility for transportation, with this cheap fertilizer to answer our domestic purposes, you can in truth. and soberness call aloud and spare not, for industry, energy, intelligence and capital to coire among us, for all will find a goodly heritage, that will use the means that the God of nature and grace has laid witliin our reach. Very respectfully, your friend, Edward J. Rkw. IferkUao}, Miss. NORTH MISSISSIPPI. Tlie countv of ^Marshall touches Tennessee on the north, and lies just south of Shelb}' and Faj-ette counties, in that State. It con- tains about TOO square miles of territory, and a population of up- wards of 30,000, about equally divided between whites and blacks. Having outlying spurs of the Cumberland mountains traversing it, it is mainly a high and healthy region. SOIL. • The soil is mostly a light, sandy loam mingled with clay. The sub- soil is mostly clay, though in some places it is sand. The valleys of the numerous creeks have a soil more or less alluvial. TIMBEU. Black oak, red oak, post oak, black-jack, chesnut, hickor}', and other woods, are .found on the uplands. On the lowlands, white oak, 'black walnut, elm, maple, sweet gum, black gum, hickory, pop- lar, buckeye, plum, cherr}-, asli, and other woods. The hazel, haw, blackberrj', dewberry-, strawberry, whortleberry, and other wild fruits, are common on upland andlowland. nOUNDAUIliS. Tallaliatchie river waters the southern boundary of tie county. It is not now navigated, although steamboats formerly ascended it as high as Wyatt, near the southern corner of the county. It has numerous tributaries flowing into it through the county. Among the creeks whose waters How into Tallahatchie arc Snow, Tii>i)ah, Chcwalla, Spring, Sallee, Oakchewalla and Black. Coldwater river lises in the northeast, and flows westward through the county. Numerous creeks How into it, among the more important of whicli are Redbank, Pigeonroost and Cuffoewa. The county is well watered. 48 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. THE NEAT ORLEANS, CHICAGO AND ST. LOUIS EAILROAD, passes through the county from north to south. Holly Springs, VVaterford, and Hudsonviilo, are towns in the count}^ on the line of that road. The projected road from ^lemphis to Selma, will trav- erse the county from west to east, crossing the other at Holly Springs. This road is graded between Memphis and Holly Springs, a distance of fort^ -fi\'c miliis. ^ PKODUCTIOXS. The farm productions are mainly cotton and corn. Peas, grains and grasses, however, do well. Clover, orchard, herds, blue, Ber muda, Lucerne, and other grasses, are successfully grown, though on a small scale as yet. The Bermuda is the onl}' grass which can be grazed in midsummer without risk of destroying. Oats, wheat, rye, barley, and millet are successfully cultivated. I know a small lot of clover and orchard grass that has been regularly cut for eight years without replanting, and looks well. And a small field of Bermuda that has cut not less than three tmes a year for fifteen years, in succession. On the best lands cotton will produce about 250 or 300 potinds lint per acre, and corn about 40 bushels. FRUITS. Peaches, pears, apples, plums, cherries, apricots, and other fruits grow and produce in profusion. Peaches are especially fine. In 1877, I gathered my first Amsdon peach Juno 7th ; this year, 1878, I gathered the first May 25th. Many persons have entered largely into the culture of fruit near Holly Springs; and profits are rerj' large and cerfeain. Grapes, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and other small fruits, do y^eW. STOCK KAIS»MG. There are not many fine horses or fine cattle. It is, hovyevcr, a fine stock region, and a few enterprising farmers are taking an in- terest in improving the brt-eds. There are some pure blood Jersey cows, and many graded ones. Swine are mostly of good breeds, and do well. Sheep raising is also quite profitable. There is, as yet, no cheese or butter making, except on a small scale for tlie Holly Springs market. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 49 SCHOOLS AND ClIUUCHES. The free schools are mimerous, well supported and fairly success- ful, although they are not of as high a grade as it is hoped they will be. There arc also a number of private high schools of the best description. In Holly Springs there are two girls' colleges, well supported, one of them Protestant, the other Roman Catholic. Churches of the various denominations are numerous. MANUFACTURES. There has not been developed much nianufacluring enterprise. This is largely due, however, to the high rate of interest brought b}' loaned mouc}'. Eighteen per cent, per annum is not uncommon. I have known a struggling wood factor}' to pay two per cent, per month. There are a number of earthware factories, several wagon factories, (one of them on a large scale, numerous 'flouring mills, and some less important enterprises. NEWSPAPERS. There are two weekly newspapers, the South and the Reporter. CULTIVATION OF TTIE SOIL. As a rule, farm work is done in a slovenly manner. The area of land improved and made more fertile year b\' year, is exceedingly small. Most farmers prefer taking five acres for making a bale of cotton rather than undertake to make one acre make three bales. The science of enriching is unknown, and manures are not valued or taken care of. The county could be made a garden spot. VALUE OF LANDS. Lands vary iuTaluo, according to quality, location and improve- ments, from $1 00 to $30 00 per ansro. Average lands can be bought from So 00 to $10 00. The citizens generally are rcad}^ to give a hearty welcome to all immigrants of a good character. In fact, they heartily desire that all persons in search of homes should give North Mississippi a trial. Yours resi>cctfully, IIowAiiD Falconer. Holly Sjirin'js, Miss. 4 SOUTHERN SECTION OF MISSISSIPPI. To Maj. E. G. Wall: In compHance with your request, I Avill try to give you a descrip- tion of tlie section of our State in which I am living. Pike count}^ is one of the most southern counties in the State, bounded on the south by the State of Louisiana, and it is traversed throughout its whole length by the Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans railroad, thus aHording the best transportation facilities. It is about the center of the great Long Leaf Pine belt. This sec- tion is very valwable on account of the immense pine forests, which will cut 10,000 feet of lumber per acre. Also, on account of the great water-power facilities, there being more than 100 fine mill sites in this county which might be utilized for milling and manufacturing purposes. The streams are clear, perpetual flowing, of the purest freestone water, and are fed by never failing springs of the purest water. There are some fine "chalybeate" wells in tliis section. In point of health it is not surpassed by any country on the globe. In the matter of schools and churches we have evcrj- advantage that could be desired. We have within our county the flourishing- towns of Osyka, Magnolia, ^IcCorab City and Summit, situated on the railroad. At McComb City are situated the machine shops of the C, St. L. & N. 0. R. R., which employ constantly a large num- ber of industrious mechanics. The citizens arc peaceful and law-abiding and will welcome good and industrious immigrants from other States. Several have already settled in our county, and are well pleased with the lands and with their reception. Our soil is a sandy loam, underlaid with a fine strata, or subsoil of red clay, and consequently will bear high fertilizing and with proper culture is quite productive. There arc large areas of fine valley- and bottom lands, lying along the cverflowiug streams, that pass through our county, which are very fertile and productive. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 51 FRUIT CULTURE. This soclioii is well adapted to fruit culture. reai-.s, apples, peaclies, plums and all tlie small fruits grow in great perfection and very seldom fail to yield an abundant crop. Strawberries were shipped to market from here about the last of March. VEGETABLE GAUDENS. For gardening purposes this section of the State cannot be sur- passed. We have had peas, Irish potatoes and snap beans the 10th of this month, (April.) In fact we can have good gardens all the winter. With proper care and attention, we can. raise wheat, rye, oats, barlev and all the grasses. STOCK-RAISING. In mj- opinion, the greatest value of the section, is its adaptatiou to stock-raising. The wild grass of the piiiey w^oods cannot be sur- passed even by the prairies of Texas. We do not feed our young stock through the winter and now they are all fine beef. Sheep require but little food, goats none at all during the winter months. STAPLK CROPS. In agriculture our [)rincipal crops are corn, ootlon, rice, sugar- cane, oats, potatoes, (both Irish and sweet) tobacco, millet and field peas. All we want to make this the garden State of the South is capital with intelligent and frugal labor. Lands are worth from $1 to $10 per acre according to improvements and location. Yours truly, W. Vr. Valght. MoKjolia Pike Countrj, Misn. IMMIGRATION TO THE SOUTH. Below, will be found au able article from the pen of Capt. Charles H. Townsend, edit'or of the McComb City Intelligencer. Capt. Townsend entered the Union arm^^ from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and during the war between the States, served as Adjutant General on the staff of General Washburne. Since the war he has been sta- tioned at Memphis, Tennessee, and Holly Springs, Mississippi, and after leaving the Federal army has made his home in Mississippi. Like a braA'e Union soldier, he has the courage and manliness to da justice to the people of his adopted State: "We have been shown a letter from Mr. C. Menelas, who has recently purchased a large plantation near Brookhaven, to Major E. G. Wall, State Commissioner ot Immigration and Agriculture, in 'which he speaks of having just attended a meeting of the Far- mer's Club of the American Institute, New York. By invitation, Mr. Meneks addressed the meeting upon the capabilities of Mis- sissippi, and the inducements it presented for immigration from the North and elsewhere. He states that his remarks were attentively listened to, and much interest manifested in the advantages offered by the South, as depicted by Ir.m; but, at the same time, he could not fail to detect a feeling — indeed the opinion was openly expressed — that the settler from, the North would not be safe in the South, personally or politically; that freedom of opinion would not be tol- erated; that, if his political views did not accord with those of the community in which he had settled, he would be socially ostracized, and his position be rendered disagreeable if not absolutely unbear- able, and that he would, in fact, be subjected to personal insults, if not personal violence, should he venture to express antagonistic political opinions. We are heartily tired and disgusted with this everlasting cant about the danger to the Northerner in settling in the South. The immigrant does not hesitate to brave a life upon the wild Western frontier, cutting himself loose from friends, politics and society RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 53 aud debarring liimsolf and his family from all tlio privileges of churches, schools and social intercourse, and trusting their lives to the tender mercies of the savage and the wild beast, and yet pro- fesses that he dare not avail himself of the balmy climate and fruit- ful soil of the South, for fear that his political opinions may be interfered with. Now this is all cant. The people of the South are neither" savages nor barbarians. They can distinguish between true men and professional vagabonds; and we know whereof we aflirm, when we say that any person, without regard to political opinions or creeds, wlio comes to the South and conducts himself in a manner that Avould be tolerated in any well-regulated commu- nity, will be received, respected and honored as he may merit. The South does not want politicians — no section does; but to the honest, industrious immigrant she offers untold advantages of cli- mate and soil. Her chief staples stand without rivals in the mar- kets of the w^orld. All the products of the Northern section of the Union, to which may be added an endless variety indigenous to more Southern latitudes, may be as profitably cultivated here as elsewhere. She has the command of the markets of the country-. With the aid of her complete system of railroads, her fruits and vegetables can be placed in the markets of the North long before their own products can be brought to compete with them, and owing to the prolonged season, they can be renewed b}' a second ■crop after the limited season of the North has been exhausted. Upon the habitable globe there is no healthier clime; no soil that •will respond more generously to well directed labor and intelligent fertilization, and no place where the honest, intelligent immigrant will receive as cordial a welcome, or be more honored and respected than in the Southern States of the Union. GO TO NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI AND MAKE FOR YOURSELVFS HAPPY HOMES ON THE LINE OF THE MIS- SISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE RAILROAD — (bY THE HON. C. B. VANCE, BATESVILLE, PANOLA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI.) Northwest Mississippi stands prominent as an agricultural coun- try. In point of fertility of soil and variety of products, it is un- rivaled. The Mississippi and Tennessee railroad, one of the best con- ducted roads in the whole South, penetrates the heart of northwest Mississippi, running from Memphis, Tennessee, to Grenada, Mis- sissippi, a distance of one hundred miles. Upon the line of this road lies a country tliat is unexcelled in point of fertility and health, and there is no section that offers greater inducements to immigrants with small capital. The road passes directly through the counties of DeSoto, Tate, Panola, Yalobusha, and Grenada. These counties are composed of valley or table lands und uplands. The uplands are rolling and composed of a sandy loam, and very productive, while the table or valley lands are level and of a dark loam and of still greater fertility. The road runs preti^y much upon the dividing line between the table or valley lands and the uplands, giving to the settler the opportunity to select that character of land or location best suited to his taste and requirements. Every five or ten miles prosperous and healthy towns dot the line of this road. After leaving Memphis a distance of ten miles, the road strikes the State of Mississippi and enters the county of In this county, upon the line of the road, we have the towns of Horn Lake, Hernando and Ncsbits. Hernando is the county site and possesses advantages in the v/ay of health and good society- RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 55 All three of these towns are, however, in too close proximity to the city of Memphis, to be of much importance as business points. Following the road south, tlic next county we enter is TATE. This county, like DeSoto, is composed of both table and uplands, and possesses t\Vo nourishing towns — Coldwatcr and ^^natobia — each with a population of from eight hundred to one tl. 'Usand in- habitants. Both points do a considerable business v»-ith the sur- :i)unding country and ship annually a large amount of cotton. Tiic next county in ord'cr is PANOLA, One of the banner counties of the State. This is one of the larg- est and most fertile counties in tlie State, and possesses no less than live nourishing towns upon the line of the Mississippi and Ten- nessee railroad, which passes directly tlirough the center. The first is Como, a town of about two hundred inhabitants, and a number of staunch business houses and a very intelligent class of citizens. The country in the vicinity of Como is a high table laud slightly undulating and very desirabie as a farming country. The next town is Sardis, the county site, with a population of from twelve to fifteen hundred, with churches, schools and a refined and hospi- table people. Thence a few miles south and v/e cross the the Tal- lahatchie river, a stream whose valley is exceedingly fertile. Ten miles south of Sardis the town of Batcsville is situated, a town of eight hundred or one thousand inhabitants, with churclies, schools and a tiirifty, enterprising and hospitable people. Sardis and Batcsville botli possess excellent high schools, one under the man- agement of Prof. Rainwater and the other under the management of Prof. Sutton, botli highly accomplished and .successful educa- tors. The lands in the immediate vicinity of Batcsville 'are both uplands and valley, exceedingly rich and adapted to all cliaracter of farming. Then follows tlie towns of Courtland and Popes, six and ten miles, respectively, south of Batcsville. These arc enterprising towns of from two to three hundred inhabitants, with good busi- ness houses, churches, schools, etc. The country immediately in the vicinity of these towns is rolling, but ricU and settleil up with small farms; l)ut a few miles west, the country becomes more level, in fact it is a feature of all tlie country lying west of the rnilroad. 5S STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. of a more level and fertile character. The towns of Courtland and Popes do a considerable business in timber. The line timber is one of the special features of Panola count}', composed of white oak, cypress, poplar, and sweet gum, and grows in large quantities, es- pecially in the vicinity of Batesville, Courtland and Popes. This timber v/ould prove a golden harvest to the enterprising lumber- man, where both railroad and water facilities are ofFered for ship- ping to market. The emigrant will find no more desirable spot to locate than In the confines of Panola county. Good lands partially improved, fenced and under cultivation, from tv^'o to ten miles of the line of railroad, can bo bought at prices ranging from $5 00 to $10 00 per acre, and on easy payments. Tracts specially desirable and nearer the towns, range some higher. Passing still further south, on the line of tlie railroad, we come to the county of YALOBUSHA. This county is more broken and rolling than the counties al- ready enumerated, but the lands are productive and the county healthy. Yalobusha county possesses a number of small but en- terprising towns. The two principal of which are Harrison and Oakland, each with a population of from tliree to four hundred. The next county on the line of tlie road is GRENADA. The count}' site of which is the town of Grenada, with a population of twenty-five hundred or three thousand, and of considerable im- portance as a business point. Grenada is the southern terminus of the Mississippi and Tennessee road, and where it forms a junction with the Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans railroad. The Mississippi and Tennessee railroad, strictly speaking, passes directly through the center of northwest Mississippi. No western country offers so great advantages to the iairaigrant as northwest Mississippi; with railroad facilities, school and social advantages and fertility of soil, taken into consideration, cheaper and better houses and lands, are offered to tlie immigrant than is offered in any State west of the Mississippi river, with similar advantages. The principal products of the counties above enumerated, are cot- ton and corn, yielding from fifteen to forty bushels of corn per acre, and from one-third to one bale of cotton per acre. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. Tlie bottom counties arc those that lie upon aud adjacent to tlie Mississippi river, and arc DeSoto, Tunica, Coahoma, Bolivar, Tal- lahatchie and Q'.ntman. These counties are all bottom lands with the exception of the eastern portion of Tallahatchie aud DeSoto, which is u[)land and rolling-. There arc no richer lauds in the world than is found in these counties. The soil is a black sand}' loam aud adapted to a large variety' of products. But cotton and corn are the chief crops grown, corn yielding from thirty to sev- enty-five bushels per acre, and cotton from one-half to one and a half bales of cotton per acre- There is some malarial sickness in the summer seasons, in the uncleared sections, but in tlie portions where the lands are under cultivation, the inhabitants enjoy, com- paratively speaking, good health, but upon the line of the railroad, in the valleys and uplands, the inhabitants tujoy unsual good health, there being little fatal sickness. Northwest Mississippi is well adapted to a great many different products. A great variety of grasses, fruits and gi-ain^grow in the greatest profusion when proper care aud attention is given them, aud it is evident that if tlie same thorough system of preparation and cultivation and improved agricultural implements were adopted here as in the North and Northwestern States, this coun- try would be one of the most productive and prosperous on the globe. The people of Mississip!)i are fully twenty-five years be- hind the Northern States in the use of improved agricultural im- plements and machinery. Tiie system of preparation and cultiva- tion is crude and imperfect. It is a notable fact tliat the soil is seldom broken deeper than two and a half inches; a small mule and a one-horse cast plow is the only implement used in bi'eaking and preparing the land; yet with all this imperfect method of farming the lands yield well, but with the advent of Northern and Northwestern farmers, with their thorough system of deep prepa- ration and the use of more improved implements, the lands would yield witii an abundance never dreamed of by the m^n who simply scratches the surface. We have known in Panola county where a small lot of land was given extra preparation and cultivation with fertilizers from the barn^-ard, yielding over one hundred bushels of corn to the acre, a fact which goes to show what could be accom- plished if the [iroper method and means were used. The Northern farmer could make corn in this country (and as great in quantity as could 1)0 made in the Northern States) and realize fi'om fifty cents to one dollar [)er bushel at the crib, from tlie veiy lanrentable 58 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. fact that the fanning community in this country invariably neglect their grain crops for their cotton crops. Always putting too small an acreage of corn and neglecting it if their cotton crop becomes endangered. Clover and a large variety of grasses grow finely in ihis section ; but little attention is given to stock raising. Northern farmers moving to this country and devoting them- selves to grain, grass and stock farming, would reap a golden har- vest. The lands here would yield in grain equal to the best lands in the Northern States if given the same preparation and cultivation, and a market would be found right at his door for all his surplus grain and stock. The native inhabitants have never been accus- tomed to grain and stock raising and are slow to comprehend the grand profits and advantages to be derived from it, and in conse- C|uence an opening is given to the energy and enterprise of the northern farmer who is familiar with that method. Grass and grain can be grown in this latitude that will give grazing feed for stock the whole year round. Little shelter and little extra feed is required for stock from the fact of tlie mild and open winters. Out door work can be carried on all winter, an advantage that could not be too higlil}" appreciated. The Mississippi and Tennessee railroad, under the supervision of courteous and able officials, is kept in first-class condition and the most liberal reduction made to ])ona fide immigrants in rates of charges, etc. Immigrants seeking homea in Northwest Mississippi can reach their destination coming b^* way of Cincinnati by water or rail to Memphis, or by way of Louisville or Richmond on the Memphis and Charleston roads to Memphis, whore a junction is made with the Mississippi and Tennessee road, or on the Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans road to Grenada, Mississippi, the point of the soutliern terminus of the Mississippi and Tennessee road. All of these loads otfer extreme low rates to all immigrants set- tling in the State. The State of Mississippi is free from debt, a matter of great con- sideration to those seeking homes and relief from the burthens of taxes. The taxes in most all the counties in the State are at a ver.y low rate. The taxes in Panola county, (Strte and county all told,) last year was only seventy-five cents on the hundred doUars, and with a prospect of a still greater reduction in the future. Immigrants will find that a kind reception will be given them by the people of Mississippi, and that law and or 'or reigns as supreme RESOURCES, CONDITION AND ^VANT^ iu Mississippi as in the best regulated States North, uotwithstaiid- ing idle rumors to the contrar}'. This section has no grasshoppers, no protracted drouths, none of those plagues that brings disaster upon the fanning interest as in the prairie countries of the West. Parties wishing to purchase farms or lands in Northwest Missis- sippi, will receive all necessary information by addressing C. B. Vance, Batesville, Panola count}', Mississippi, or Lonsdale ct Co., ifemphis, Tennessee. But parties desiring to locate ••vould do well to visit the section in person and examine for themselves. The city of Memphis is only a few hours' run from any section on the Mississippi and Tennesse railroad, a city of considerable im- portance as a commercial point, where merchandise and produce could be bought at the lowest rates, and an excellent market for every character of product raised by the farmers upon the line of the Mississippi and Tennessee railroad. "STRAWBERRY CULTURE AT MADISOX STATION, MADISON COUNTY, 3IISS. The following ailicle from the able pen of Dr. H. McKay, one of the most successful small fruit growers in the South, will be read with interest by the fruit growers of the West and Northwest, as well by those of our 'own State : Strawberry culture, in Mississippi, other than for home use, and an indefinite, badly shaped local supply, is of recent conception and more recent execution. Indeed, it was not generally believed that our Southern soil and climate were well adapted to the growth and perfection of the more-tender and delicate small fruits. The first efforts to grow them on a liberal scale, for the distant markets, met with more ridicule than encouragement from even the most intelli- gent fruit growers and the fruit commission merchants of distant cities. In 1869, the writer, a liberal grower of small and large fruits in Southwestern Kentucky, selected this locality with a definite idea and fixed purpose to grow small fruits, on a large scale for the Northern and Western markets. Not until the beginning of 1873, was he in the right shape to begin to execute this idea and purpose with the hope of faiily and fully testing them. Commencing with one acre of strawberries of the Wilson variety, badly shaped and a broken stand, he found even the berries from this one acre, too many to be successfully handled in our local mar- ket, and determined in the early days of 1873, to try the shipment of 100 quarts to Chicago. The merchant received and sold them, and returned me as the net profit $2 50 with the statement that he feared the distance was too great to successfully carry a fruit so delicate and perishable. I made the same season a i'ew other dis- tant shipments, with about similar results and discouragement. In 1874, other shipments were made to Chicago and Louisville, and with the exception of a few consignments to Chicago, no encouraainir results were obtained. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 61 In 1875. having one acre, good stand, in choice shape, I began picking and shipping about the 20th of April, to Chicago, St. Louis and Cincinnati, but mainly to Chicago, and when I closed lU}^ last shipments which were sent to Vicksburg, about the middle of June, I had gathered and shipped 3200 quarts, netting me over S1200. This success removed all doubts and silenced all sneers, as to the adaptation of our soil and climate and the carrying quality of the berrv, when gathered at the right stage and properly handled and packed. From a few acres, probably not over 10, from 3[ilan, in Tennessee, to Lake Manshac, La., forty miles above New 'Orleans, its culture has been increased until now it is estimated at full 500 acres, along the line of the Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans railroad. The writer having increased his to about 35 acres. The net proceeds, however, greatly diminishing with increased culture, competition and hardness of the times. PLANTIXG AXD CCLTUKE. My mode of planting and culture is as simple as in any part of the North or West, yet differing in some respects. Having selected fair medium land with good 3'ellow, or red cla\' basis, latter preferred, and if practicable gently sloping to the south or southeast — we plough and harrow thoroughly and throw into ridges or beds, as if for cotton or corn; l.nit letting the middle of the bed rest upon two deep subsoil farrows, and elevated three to live inches above the general level, rows being three to three and a half feet wide and run in such direction to give good drainage. Then, the plants are set in the center of these beds, from twelve to fifteen inches apart and about an inch deeper than thc}^ had for- merly set, as it will be found that the ground will settle more than the plant. For early planting I prefer October and November, for later Februar}' and March, inclusive, make some berries th(5 follow- ing spring, generally, 100 to .300 quarts per acre, which, however? are not well suited for market, being more sappy and trashy from growing closer to the ground. If we wisii to have the benefit of these berries, we give them only surface work witli a sharp hoe, and commence the regular working after tlie crop is gathered. If this crop is disregarded and work commenced earlier, the stools would be stronger and go through our warm, dr}- season better. Whether we v/ork early or late, the work should continue, upon thin land, until the middle of July, if on rich land until the first of xiuurust. G2 STATE OF JIISSISSIPPI. We usually give, two or three workings with the plow, following each time with the lioe. The sub-soil plow is run in the bottom of the turn plow I'urrov/ and the Uiiul tliorouglily broken and pulver- ized at least eight or ten inches deep. The grass is then allowed to grow for winter protection and to keep the berries clean. No fur- ther work except very light surface hoeing until after the crop is gathered the following spring. Owing to our long bearing season, often extending to the 15th of June, we do not deem it prudent to cultivate old stools before fall, unless more rain than usual. To disturb the old stools in the very hot dry weather after an exhaustive crop has been picked, endan- gers the strength and life of the plant. To do other than very light surface work during the fruiting season, gives us sandy, trash}^ berries not lit for market. If the land is rich or highly fertilized, to keep the weeds and grass down we will have to work v/he n work ought not to be done. Hence, we prefer niedium, to thin land, and say that rich soil or high fertilizing in this latitude are "sliarp tools" to be handled with great care by the best skilled. It is my deliberate and settled conviction that cheaper and better berries can be made in this latitude on medium or thin land, than on rich or highly fertilized. A little manure timely and judiciously applied so that the plants may have the benefit of it during the fruiting season, v/ill as a rule, give a Utile better fruit results; but it ought to be so applied as to be well near exhausted by the close of the fruiting season. The strong points in successful Southern strawberry culture will be found in planting on medium land and timely und deep culture. This is especially true on the marly lands of Central Mississippi and similar localities, where it v/ill be found that not only straw- berries but other small fruits will flourish and be as successfull.y and profitably raised as upon any other lands on the continent. The net profits of this business must depend upon the relative cost of production and price obtained. It would be diPacult to find combined better latitudinal and transportation advantages than in this portion of Mississippi, and I confidently assert that the straw- berry under skillful management, to sa}'^ nothing of our cheaper lauds, can be grown more profitably' in Mississippi than in more' Northern States. From land that with good culture would not yield over 20 bushels of corn, or half bale of cotton, I have gathered the same season 100 bushels of berries, without any fertilizing of any kind, or at RESOURCES, CONDITION AND AVANTS. G3 any time, unless we ma}- call deep culture a process of fertilizing. From my own experience and observation, I am fully aware that i-ume ul" the above ideas aro nut correct as applied to Norllicrn or Western strawiierry culture and success, nor even in harmony with Southern teaching and practice, yet I hold them as sound for Cen- tral Mississippi and similar localitito. Hence our Northern and Western friends, whose coming we will welcome most cordially, must not be too fully persuaded of the soundness of all their ideas as applicable to this latitude and soil, but be willing to learn things in Mississippi. For success to new-comers some of our central ideas and deductions, may be valuable helps. VAUIETIES TO PLANT. Out of something over 20 varieties tested and being tested, cov- ering the most approved of the old and those of most prominence among the new, we have not yet found a variety so well suited to our latitude, soil and wants as AVilsou's Improved Albau}'. At pres- ent Capt. Jack promises to become its strongest rival, while for local ;vnd home use. Monarch of the West, Duchesse, Great American, i'orest Rose and some other varieties, promise well, being larger and liner flavor, and when fresh will generally command higher prices. Among the varieties put on trial this season, none give evidences of greater strength and vigor than Cumberland, Triumph and Crescent seedlings. While it is not unwise to cautiously try all the uew varieties claiming merit, it is sound policy and wisdom to hold fast to the old, that have stood the test of years and still hold the front rank — giv- ing us in this latitude our earliest as well as our latest berries — this .season giving us good fruit for ninet}' days. If some of our new and largest varieties should be as much improved by acclimation as the Wilson, they will prove to be most valuable acquisitions. In no localit}-. North or SoutLi, have I seen more vigorous and healthy peach and plum trees or finer developed fruits of both kinds than in Central Mississippi, or this locality. HEALTH IN MISSISSIITi. Having i)racticed medicine thirteen years in Kentucky, and eleven in Mississippi, I feel safe in asserting that the aggregate amount of sickness in Mississippi is less in proportion to population than in Kentucky. Our malarial diseases l)eing generall}' milder in form. 64 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. shorter in duration and easier managed. Our respirator^' diseases much less frequent and troublesome. The Northern and Western idea of two or three years of acclimation and as many or more attacks of bilious fevers is erroneous, being no more liable to the same diseases here, from the same influences than in tlieir native places. H. E. IMcKay. Madison Station, Misa., THE GREAT MISSISSIPPI BASIN. Friar's Point, Miss. Maj. E. G. Wall: Dear Sir — There is no section of the South which exteuds more invitations to the immigrant who is seeking a permanent home where every product can be grown, and stock of cverv! kind raised with little labor than Coahoma county, and the other counties of the ]Missisbippi basin. Having been within the last twenty years reclaimed fom the .uinual inundations of the Mississippi river, which drowned out, and destroyed the crops and stock, it is as yet a comparatively new country, not more than one-sixth of its lands being in a state of cultivation, and at least one-half of the same can now be purchased at a mere nominal sum. COAHOMA COUNTY Lies on the bank of the Mississippi river, about seventy miles south of Memphis, Tennessee, and is on the upper border of the famous cotton belt, which is decidedly the best portion of said bolt for raising cotton, for while it is too far north for the boll-worm and other insects which prey upon the plant in its growing state, it is far enough south to escape tlie early frosts which so frequenth' play sad havoc with the mora northern cotton regions. The land pro- duces upon an average about a bale of cotton to the acre — from thirty to sixty bushels of corn — from twenty-five to forty bushels of wheat or oats, and the exi>criencc of the last few years has demonstrated that wheat can be raised here with as little danger of failure from rust and blight as anywhere else. PKUITS OF EVERY CUARACTER ' Grow to perfection here — and arc easil}- kojjt during v.intcr, and in raising fruit the country is rapidly improving, for within the last two years, nearly every farmer and planter, under the inspiration of 5 QQ STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. the Grange, have set out an orchard upon which they are bestowing great care and skill, and in another year we will have an abundance of fine fruit. The river is accessible from every portion of the county, and by means of it we are in direct communication with the entire world. The country is interlaced with a number of small streams, which abound in fish of every kind known to the southwestern waters, and during the last month these streams have been stocked with shad by the United States Commissioners. It is no unusual thing to catch from forty to fifty pounds of fisli a day with the hook and line. Game of every kind, from the bear to the squirrel, are in abund- ance. While it is objected by those who take a mere superficial view of the country, that our cleared lands are generally in large bodies — the objection is untenable; for nearly all of our large plantations can be easily divided into several small farms with a suitable dwelling spot and a sufficiency of wood and water for each. These lands can be purchased at from twenty to one hundred dollars per acre, according to the condition of the owner. STOCK KAISING. There is no country in the world better adapted to raising cattle and hogs. The grass supplies grazing sufficient to keep them fat during the summer and fall, while the dense cane brakes furnish the finest winter feeding in the world. Hogs live and keep fat upon the wild acorns and pecans, and the writer now has more than a hundred, to Vv'hich he has never fed more than ten bushels of corn, and he can cite a number of droves of cattle that have cost their owners nothing to raise them, except a few hand fulls of salt once or twice a week; and what is true of cattle in this respect, is also the case with horses and mules. GRASSES OF EVERY KIND, For ha}', grow to perfection, but the Bermuda alone does well for grazing. This grass grows witliout cultivation, and after being once sodded will afford a greater amount ol' grar.iug than any grass in the world, and with this for the summer and the cane for the winter, horses, mules and cattle keep fat during the entire year RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. G7 Our country is sLiRkk'tl with cyiji'ess brakes and oak forests, willi I'rom one hundred to two hundred trees to the acre, and now that the country has begun to improve and build up, an experienced rail! man, with a good mill, could easily coin them into a fortune. A few of our people have experimented in the cultivation of the grape, but so far grape culture has nDt proved successful. We have but few public improvements, but of those which we have I will mention the iMobilc and Northwestern railroad, which, although as yet, is in its infancy, begins upon the east bank of the ]Mississippi river at a point opposite Helena, Arkansas, runs in a southeasterly direction through the county. Its officers, Captain Lyon, Colonel Stousel and jMr. Flj-nn, arc energetic men, and within the last year have completed about twelve miles of the i-oad, and by the coming fall will have it completed as far as Clarkcs- dalc, in the southeastern portion of the county. At this i)lace Mr. John Clark has erected a large Hour mill. Near this place is located the Clarkesdale Grange, olhcered by a corps of large plant- ers and their elegant ladies, all of whom take great interest in the movements designed to unite the farmers into a common brother- hood. FRIAKS POINT, The county site, which is perhaps the prettiest town of its size on the banks of the Mississippi, has a population of about one thous- and inhabitants. At this place is located a large oil mill which gives employment tt) about forty men. We have in progress of or- ganization a company which proposes to run a railroad from this ])lace eastward, and by fall it is expected that the neigh of tlie iron horse will be heard in several portions of our count}', as he winds his way to the Mississippi heavily laden with the products of our fertile lands. From the above brief sketch of our count}', you will see that we have labor for every class, from the axman to the most skillful machinist and artisan of ever}- kind. We have common schools in reach of ever}' child in the county, with :l corps of good and eflicient teachers, and the schools are kept ojicn five months of the year. Yours trulv, II. T. Keid. Jones, Perry, Covington and Other Counties. Maj. E. G. Wall : Dear Sir — In this fast age every locality is anxious to know where the balance of mankind is, what they are doing, and how they do it; and especially to know if it pays. This idea has prompted me to say a few things for your journal about what I know of Southeast Mississippi. Having resided in the county of Jones from 18-12 to 1S68 I profess to know something of its soil, climate, productions, health, resources, etc. In the first place the country is moderately undulating, with no very high hills or impen- etrable swamps. The soil is generally of a sandy texture, enough so to be pleasant to cultivate. Produces corn, cotton, rice, oats, sweet and Irish potatoes, sugar-cane, in fact all field crops, and rewards the farmer for his labors. GARDEN VEGETABLES Of ever}' description flourish. Peaches, figs and scup[>ernong, are in their native element in this county. Apples do well. THERE ARE SEVERAL STREAJIS Kunning through the couut}^ of nufficient width and depth to float the pine timber, of which it surpasses in quantitj' and quality an^' portion of the Southern States. It will average in lumber, board measure, per acre 5000 feet. This is now becoming one of the great industries of southeast Mississippi, from June to November. At this season of the year, the teams support themselves on the native grass, and do the work of the hauling of the timber. WILD TIMBER LAND Eanges in ynice from fifty cents to one dollar per acre, owing to proximity to the creek for rafting. Along the margin of creeks there is extensive bottoms of fertile soil, timbered, v^'ith white oak> RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 60 hickoiy, ash, beech, gum, elm and magnolia, with a thiclc under- growth. THE HILLS AND VALLEYS Are covered with tall 3-ellow long leaf pine trees, no undergrowth but grass. This grass sustains large herds of cattle and sheep sum- mer and winter. It is demonstrated that sheep husbandr}- pays with careless management sixty per cent, on the capital invested. GAME. The creeks abound with fish, the woods with deer, turkeys, fox, raccoon, opossum and skunk, some wild cats. The bear, wolves and panther, have long since been exterminated. POPULATION. Except the margin of the creeks, the county is sparsely popula- ted; neighborhoods convenient for schools and churches. The pop- ulation plain and unassuming, none wealth}^ but self-sustaining and independent and hospitable to a fault. THE CLIMATE IS MILD. Winters warm and short, rarely ever snows, and never lies on the ground more than twenty-four hours. Corn planting on all uplands about the first of March. Wheat, rye and oats in October and November, and harvested in Mav and June. A great many bold, free-stone water springs and water of the common kind is generally had b}' digging to the depth of twenty to thirty feet. Scarcely any rock of any kind; all building material is wood and brick. The streams afford ample water for extensive manufacturing establishments. The health of the countv will compare favorabl}' with any por- tion of the South. Chills, some seasons, prevail. FUTURE I'ROSPECTS. The survey for the New Orleans, or Northeastern a)id Chatanooga Railroad runs diagonally from northeast to southwest in Jones count}', and is regaided as a railroad necessity, and at no very dis- tant day will be built. Also the late charter for the Ship Island Riplc}' and Kcntuclcy railroad on an air line will center this county, 70 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. running north and south. These two lines crossing near the cen- ter of this county would make it the Atlanta of Southeast jMissis- sippi. The foregoing description of the county ot Jones will apply to Perr}^, the western part of Wayne, the eastern part of Covington, northeastern part of Marion, all of Greene, and the northern parts of Harrison and Jackson; and I suppose tlic county of Hancock might be added. J. E. Welborn. Shuhuta, Miss., JIcuj 28, 1878. FACTORIES AND MANUFACTURING. On this subject wo take some extracts from tlie able ;i(.ldress ot' Geu. A. M. West, of H0II3' Springs, Miss., delivered nt the Inter- uational Exhibition, Philadelphia, Pa., July 10, 1S7C. General West was selected as the Centennial orator to deliver a:, address on the history and resources of the State of Mississippi. 3IISSISSIPPI MILLS. In 184:7, Col. J. 'M. Wesson of Georgia, organized a company i'or manufacturing cotton and woolen goods, corn-meal and tlour, and located the same year, in Mississippi, aud commenced operations in 1848. This enterprise was eminently successful. It commenced with a capital of $50,000, and within a few years increased the same to $300,000. It was destroyed by the Federal army in 1864. Col. Wesson, encouraged by previous success, located, after the war, in a vast pine forest, in Copiah county, and named the place "Wesson," and entered at once upon the erection of suitable factory buildings, which he soon furnished with machiner}- and put into operation. These mills were destroyed by fire, and were then rebuilt by Mr. E. Richardson, the present owner. There are uow in operation, nine thousand spindles for cotton and woolen goods; six sets of woolen machinery ; one hundred looms for manufacturing woolen fabrics, including a great variety of doe-skins, cassimeres, jeans, lindseys and tweeds, ranging in price from 25 cents to $1 per yard. "There are 234 looms for manufacturing cotton goods, including brov;n sheeting and shirtings, osnaburgs and drilling, bed-ticking, hickory stripes, plaids, ginghams, cottonadcs and checks, and cotton wraps; both S2wing-threads and knitting yarns are also manufactured to a verj' large extent. Five hundred persons arc employed and appear to be healthy and happy, (^uito a large town is growing up around the mills. There is a demand for all the goods they can make, and they are unable to keep up with orders for several stylo.?. Large sales arc made in tlie Western States and in New York, and what is 72 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. better, it has a large local and home patronage; thus demonstrating that cotton can be more ceonomicallj^ manufactured in the imme- diate vicinity of its production than elsewliere. • The confidence begot b\^ these successes, has organized and is organizing itself into various enterprises ia the State, (or manufac- turing almost every article of domestic use. Forest timber; the productions of the fields, gardens and orchards; steam and water; the cotton-gin, flouring mills; the spindles, looms and machinery; labor, skill, enterprise and capital, are being rapidl}'' brought into convenient proximity to each other, and, at the same time, near to great natural and artificial highways of trade, travel and commerce; practically recognizing the superior agricultural, horticultural, pas- toral and manufacturing advantages of Mississippi. Cotton, sugar, molasses, Indian corn, wheat, rye, oats, peas, vegetables, grapes, berries, rice, oranges, bananas, peaches, pears, quiaces, apples, cher- ries, plums and other fruits; wool, beet, hides, pork, sweet and Irish potatoes; clover, timothy, herd, orchard, bermuda and other grasses, grow in luxuriant abundance. Her lands, as has been shown, are fertile and well watered and timbered, with a vast forest of great commercial value. These lands are varied bj^ hills, valleys, plains, swamps and prairies. The alluvial lands of Mississippi and Yazoo bottoms, are surpassingly rich; and, when i)rotected b}" levees from overflow of water, and reclaimed by drainage, and sub- jected to enlightened agriculture, will produce not less than two millions of bales of cotton annuall}', and three million bushels of corn; worth at present prices, $120,000,000. The climate of Mississippi is that happy medium where the pro- ducts of the North and South meet, grow and mature in harmou}' with the necessities, and many of the luxuries of life. No country is more regularly irrigated by rain-falls, or better supplied with aqueous vapor than Mississippi. The moisture and humidity so necessary to the life and growth of vegetation, are borne from the warm bosom of the Gulf stream, and from her various rivers, and diffused throughout her borders; her lands are so varied in their physical formation, location, and production, as to suit all classes and conditions of society. These lands are now cheap; ranging from government price, to from $1 to $30 per acre; value being reg- ulated b}' improvements, location, quality and quantity. Tiie labor of the State is sufiicient for all agricultural purposes, and b}' reason of its long experience, and thorough identification with the climate and soil, it is the best in the world. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 73 There is also, a large class of its population suited to the labor of the factories. v: ^V * -S: ^V ^ * ^: ;|; ifr '.': -f: During- the late civil war, Mississippi was devastated and scourged by contending armies, and paralyzed by military dominance; as, also, by the consequent corruption and lawlessness that followed the close of the war. But the people, with high resolve, irrespec- tive of party, race or color, rose in the majesty of their power to suppress lawlessness, and rescue their State from the vortex of ruin, and restore it to the prerogatives of governrrent, law and order. She is now redeemed, ancf all radiant with the glor}' of the achievement — "stronger by exertion, more virtuous by her alUic- tions, wiser b\- experience," and more national in sentiment; and, I'aving reorganized her political institutions, in accordance with tlic amended Constitution of the United States, and in harmony with that new phase of civilization which marks this as the beginning of a new epoch in her history, she has, by the amazing industry, energy and self-denial of her people, partially recovered from the devastations of the late civil war of four years duration. Aston- ishing must bo the effects produced l)y the combined influences of so many happy causes of restored civil government with a hopeful prospect of long continued peace, fertile lands, varied productions, rivers and seas, railroads and factories, Christian churches, numer- ous charitable and benevolent societies, schools, and the means of education; good health in two-thirds of the State, with asalubiious climate and balm}' air — that inspires genius in the young, hope in the invalid, and jo}- in the aged. The aits and sciences, in intel- lectual culture, and whatever of prosperity and wealth may be expected to follow these manifold advantages and blessings, will, in the march of events, flcurish in manly maturity, and must, from the very nature of things, be generall}' diffused among the people; and as power and influence cannot be long separated from wealtii and intelligence, thereby establishing, upon a durable basis, that political cf the 76 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. flourishing town of Water Vfilley, Yalobusha count}-, Miss., and immediately on the line of the Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans railroad. The main building is a two story brick, 160 feet long by 60 feet wide. An engine house with a 70 horse power engine, (new) set and in running order, with belting and shafting. This Factory with engine and fixtures and some twenty building lots, of one acre each, can be purchased at a great sacrifice. For further information, address W. F. jMerrin, Water Valley, Yalo- busha county, Mississippi. CORINTH COTTON FACTORIKS. There are two factories, situated one in and the other near the town of Corinth, Alcorn county, Mississippi, immediatel}^ on the line of the Mobile and Ohio railroad. The Memphis and Charles- ton railroad, also passes through Corinth. For a good investment of capital we know of no better, in the Southwest. Those wishing information of the above desirable propert}', should correspond with Col. J. S. Williams, Rienzi, Alcorn county, Mississippi, or with Col. Whitworth, Corinth, Alcorn county. Mis* sissippi. BAY ST. LOUIS WOOLEN FACTORY, At Bay St. Louis, Hancock county, a large woolen factory has recentl}^ been erected, and will soon be, if it is not now in full oper- ation. No better location could have been selected for a factory for the manufacture of wool into cloth or yarns, for no better countr}' exists on the face of the globe for sheep-husbandry, than the Gulf Coast counties of Mississippi. Address Mr. Ulman, Bay St. Louis, Hancock county, Mississippi. The Pine District of Mississippi. LETTEK FUOM IIOX. J. F. 11. CLAII50RXE TO GENEUAL A. M. WEST. My Dear Sir— When we speak ol' the " Pino Woods," or the "Sea Coast," people associate with it povert}', and an interminable waste of sand and barren lands. This impression is certainly erro- neous. I know of no countr}' that holds out more inducements for capital, industr}'. and intelligent husbandr}'; that combines so much health and comfort Avith so many avenues to competence and opulence. THE SEA COAST. The sea coast of Mississippi is not low and swampy, but a high, bold blufl', margined at its base by a beach of pure wkitc sand, and supporting on its brow a forest of stately pine, live-oak and mag- nolia. The soil is a light, sandy vegetable loam, by no means un- productive; easily cultivated, and, by proper treatment, yielding for a long series of years, abundant crops of vegetables and fruit, remarkable for their flavor. Pure and cool water is here every- where obtained at the depth of from ten to twenty leet. The country for two or three miles back is much the same, but then it begins to undulate; there is more clay in the soil; the timber be- comes almost exclusively pine, and is of heavier and larger growth. Twenty miles back, the country is higher; in some localities quite liilly, but with broad surfaces of table lands of goods arable soil, intersected by bold, clear, never-failing streams, affording fine water power; and the great forest of yellow pine stretches, north- ward and eastward, from Pearl river to the Leaf and the Chicka- saha}-, and thence to Alabama. THE GREAT FOREST, Is di'ained by Pearl and Pascagoula rivers, and their numerous 78 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. tributaries, furnishing navigation and facilities for rafting timber from the remote interior. On these streams ma;,' be seen a heavy growth of white oak, hickory-, poplar, ash, beech, vwater oak, maple, hackberrj', elm, dog-wood, sasafraSjCherrj-, mulberry, chestnut, box- elder, white ba_v, red bay, cedar, juniper and C3''j)res3 of colossal grovvth. The lands are classed as first and second bottoms, with natural drains, and usuall}' covered with a rich growth of cane, and grape ^vines. With proper treatment the}'' yield from twenty-five to fifty bushels of corn, and from one thousand to filteen hun- dred pounds of seed cotton to the acre. Rice, potatoes, sugar cane and tobacco, are, on such lands, all remunerative crops. THE GREAT M'ANT Of this country is a railroad, with proper feeders, to lift this mighty forest, and bring it, as it were, to the lap of the ocean. For a hundred miles at a stretch, at any point of tlie compass, one may ride through these ancient woods, and see them, as they have stood for ages, untouched by the hand of man. A railroad could be cheaply constructed. For 150 miles or more, the country maj' be described as an inclined plane sloping to the sea; the rivers and streams all flowing in that direction. No mountains to tunnel, no rocks to excavate or blast. The surface is dry and solid; the ma- terial for construction at hand, and the very best. Consider the wealth coined out of the pine forests of North Carolina, with her storm cape, forbidding egress from her ports ; and the labor and capital expended in the frozen pineries of Maine, and on all the still bleaker shores of the Northwestern lakes. Here we have a field for enterprise far more extensive — a virgin forest — a benign climate — a coast exempt from storms — capacious liarbors — with access to all the markets in the world! A railroad would develop these great resources, and build up an important commercial entre- port on our beautiful sea coast. MAKSII OU MEADOW LAND. Every river, or salt water creek, debouching into Mississippi Sound, has, on one or both banks, a marsh or prairie, from fift}- yards to a mile deep, overflowed by high tides, but usually firm enough for cattle to pasture on the grass and pea vines that grow with great luxuriance, I sent specimens of these marsh soils for analysis to Prof. Riddell and Prof. Forshey, of the University of RESOURCES, CONDITION AND Vv'ANTS. 79 Louisiana, and to Prof. Jackson, of Harvard. Prof. Hillgard^ fonnoi-ly State Geologist, personally examined these marshes. They found carbonate of lime, potash, phosphorus, vegetable or- ganic matter, and other elements of fertility*, in abundance. FOR FERTILIZIKG, This marsh, mud or muck may be carried out, broadcasted, and immediatel}' plowed in, or be thrown into a compost heap, and manipulated \vith lime or animal droppiags during the winter, or may l)e tramped in the barn3-ard or cow-pens and poultry-3'ards, with pine straw, or the long grass and reeds of the marsh. On the margin of these marshes, often on the seashore, and at numerous points on the rivers, bayous and creeks, there are extensive depos- its of oyster, clam and muscle shells, readily convertible into the Uest lime for agricultural uses. Then the pine stravv- — the leaves from swamps and hammocks — the sediment from ponds and sloughs — the debris fi'om numerous charcoal pits — sea-weed thrown up by the waves — and the offal of fish — supply abundant means of ameliorating land; and in the interior pine country, there are valu- able marl l)eds and limestone. DAIRY FARMS. When we see what leveeiag, ditching and pumping have achieved in Holland, in the fens of England, in our own countrj', and iu other quarters, we may expect some day to find these great natural meadows, converted into haylieUls and pastures, the home of a ilirifty people. The^' consist of alluvium based on sand and clay; an artificial, but exhaustless soil. The grass, of several varieties, grows rank and coarse, but actual experiment has demonstrated that, the more it is grazed and mowed, the more tender and succu- lent it l)ccomcs. The late Mr. George, of Grand Coquille, in the Iligolels, shipped fifty bales of this hay to New Orleans, which could only be sold for litter, it was so rough, but he persevered and in two or three years he brought his hay up to the standard of the Western article. Besides, other grasses might be introduced to supercede the native grasses. The Bermuda grass, set out in tur- its, or cut up and plowed in, soon carpets our uplands, and covers with its rich verdure even the naked sand. FRUITS — ORANGE CULTURE. Southeastern Mississippi produces a great variety of fruit. Tlie peach, apple, plum, pomegranate, pear and fig; pecan, grapcsi of 80 STATE OP MISSISSIPPI. many varieties, strawberries, dewberries, blackberries, the persim- mon, mulberry, and pawpaw, or custard fruit, and melons of va- rious kinds, grow in great perfection and yield abundant returns. Nearer the seashore we find, in addition, the orange, lemon, citron, shaddock, jujube, almond, bananna, olive and occasionally the pine-apple. With proper attention and study ot the acclimating capabilities of most valuable roots and fibrous-leaved plants and textiles, might be plante., and use the yard manure on such fields as need all it contains, or on those heavy soils where its loosening effect will be most useful, and where little hauling is required. Now we are at the pith of the subject. COMPOSTING FERTILIZERS. From what has been said above, we are now ready to comprehend the composting of the various substances to form an effective man- ure. Dr. Thos. P. Janes, Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Georgia, in his report on fertilizers, presents the following in reference to composts; COMPOSTING SUPER-PnOSPHATES WITH HOME MANURES. When we consider the fact that the farmers in Georgia expended RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 93 four millions of dollars last season for fertilizers, oven on a cash basis, the question of the most economical mode of permanently improving our soils, and at the same time producing remunerative corps, is one of vital importance to our people. Tlic Philosopliii of CoinpostiiKj. — Stable manure is admitted on all sides to be a complete manure, in the sense of containing all of the necessar\' elements of plant food. There are some of the more important elements (phosphoric acid is the principal) which arc contained in such small percentage, that large quantities of the manure must be applied in order to secure a sufficient quantiti'' of tb'is essential element for the necessities of plant sustenance. To supply this deficiency, superphosphate is added to the compost heap- A combination of stable manure and cotton seed, in the propor' tions recommended; supplies enough ammonia for summer crops, but hard]}' sufficient for winter small grain, unless applied at the rate of 400 pounds per acre. The sulphate of lime contained in ever}' superphosphate, besides being otherwise valuable as a chemical agent, serves to fix the ammonia generated in the progress of decomposition in the composi heap. Tlie fermentation reduces the coarse material, and prepares it for the use of the plant. ComjJosliiir/ under Shelter. — This ma}' usually be done on rainy daj's, or when the ground is too wet for the plow, so that little time need be lost by the manipulating of the heap. Tiiere are two methods practiced with equally satisfactory results. One is to apply the dillerent ingredients in successive layers, and cut down vertically after a tiiorough fermentation lias taken place, mixing well with the shovel at the same time. The other is to mix thorough!}' tlie ingredients at first, and allow the mass to stand until used. The effects of composts thus prepared far exceed the indications of analysis, and, cost considered, are truly remarkable. Formuloefor Composting. — If the stable manure and cotton seed have been preserved under shelter, use the following: FORMULA NO. 1. .Stable ^Manure, 050 lbs. Cotton Seed (green) ()5(' lbs. Superphosphate 700 lbs. JIaking a ton of 2,000 lbs. Directions for Coiapostintj. — Spread under a shelter a layer of sta- .94 STATE or MISSISSIPPI. ble manure four inches thick; on this sprinkle a, portion of the phos- phate; next spread a, lawyer of cotton seed three inches thick, wet these thoroughly with water, and then apply more of the phos- phate; next spread another layer of stable manure three inches thick, and continue to repeat these layers in the above order, and in proportion to the quantity of each used to the ton, until the mate- rial is consumed. Cover the whole mass with stable manure, or scrapings from the lot one or two inches thick. Allow the heap to stand in this condition until a thorough fermentation takes place, which will require from three to six weeks, according to circum- stances, dependent upon proper degree of moisture, and the strength of the material used. When the cotton seed are thoroughly killed; with a sharp hoe, or mattock, cut down vertically through the la}"- ers; pulverize and shovel into a heap, where the fermentation wiU be renewed, and the compost be still further improved. Let it lie two weeks after cutting down; it will then be ready for use. The following plan of mixing gives equally satisfactory results: Mix the cotton seed and the stable manure in proper proportion, moisten them with water, apply the proportion of phosphate, and mix thoroughly, shoveling into a mass as prepared. There is some advantage in this plan, from the fact that the ingre- dients are thoroughly commingled during fermentation. For Cotton — Apply in the opening furrow 200 pounds, and with the planting seed 75 or 100 pounds, making iu all 275 or 300 pounds per acre. If it is desired to apply a larger quantity, opea furrows the desired distance, and over them, sow broadcast 400 pounds per acre ; bed the land, and then apply 100 pounds per acre with the seed. For Corn. — Apply in the hill, by the side of the seed, one gill to the hill. An additional application around the stalk, before the first plowing, will lai'gely increase the yield of grain. If the compost is to be used on worn or sandy pine lands, use the following: FORaiULA NO. 2. Stable Manure, 600 lbs. Cotton Seed (green ) 600 lbs. Superphosphate, 700 lbs. Kainit, 100 lbs. Making a ton of 2,000 lbs. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. Prepare as directed for No. 1, luoisten the manure and cotton peed with a solution of the kainit instead of water. ^luriate of potash is the cheapest form in which potash can be used, but kainit supplies it in a better form and combination for many plants. If lot manure, or that which has been so exposed as to lose some of its fertilizing properties, is composted, use — FOKMUI.A NO. 3. Lot Manure fiOO lbs. Cotton Seed (green ) 500 lbs. Superphosphate 700 lbs. Sulphate of Ammonia 00 lbs. Kainit 140 lbs. Making a ton of 2,000 lbs. Ihe sulphate of ammonia and kainit must be dissolved in Avarm Avater, and a proportionate part of each sprinkled upon the other ingredients as the heap is prepared. Apply as directed under No. 1, to cotton and corn. To wheat or oats, apply 400 to 500 pounds per acre, broadcast, and plosv or harrow it in with the grain. THE SUBSTANCES A BALE OF COTTON TAKES UP FROM THE SOIL. To more fully understand the value of the above composts, we give the substances a 500 pound bale of cotton takes from the land. As a general rule 100 pounds of seed cotton will yield, 33.'j- pounds of lint, 33^ pounds of hull, 33| pounds of kernel. In the growth of tlu) whole plant lint, seed, roots, bolls, leaves and stems, in order to make a bale -of 500 of lint cotton, about the following amount of mineral matter, according to Prof. White, must be taken from the soil: Phosphate of Lime, 30 pounds. Potash, 49 pounds. Lime, GO,^- pounds. Magnesia, 18| pounds. Sulphuric Acid, 21]- pounds. Soda, 20.V i)Ounds. Silica 18| pounds. The above elements furnished to the crop at the growing period will make a strong plant and will insure a bale of lint cotton 2)61' acre. The three elements most important, viz: Phos- 96 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. phoi'ic acid, lime and potash are required in large qimntities, aod if these are supplied the rest generally are found in all soils. Ever^^ cotton planter ought to begin long before the season for planting to manufacture a compost especially for his cotton crop. Make the foundation for the compost heap by tumbling down sev- eral loads of rich mold from the woods forming the bottom of the pile in the shape of a basin, then a layer of cotton seed, six inches, then a la3'er of stable manure one foot thick, over the whole of which sprinkle a considerable amount of sulphate of lime i. e. land plaster, then continue the heap until it is of the most convenient size for manipulating. Coijipost heaps of this kind commenced io the fall and winter will afford a rich and lasting fertilizer by the time for planting cotton in April. When marl, or oyster-shell lime can be obtained conveniently, the addition of either, just before using will add greatly to tlie effect of t!ie manure. The marl, or lime should be slacked before mixing it with the compost. We think we have said enough on this important subject to show that every farmer in Mississippi can make a valuable home-made fertilizer with the ingredients he may collect on his farm. He may have to buy a small amount of dissolved bones, lime and potash, LESS SURFACE PLANTED AND LARGEK CROPS. It may be laid down as an Axiom, (h self-evident proposition); that a less surface should be planted and larger crops produced per acre, to make farming iu Mississippi profitable. Under our present S3'stem it requires an average of ^hree acres of land, including our rich bottom lands, to produce a bale of cotton, and in the hill lands an average of over four acres to make a bale of 500 pounds of lint. With a proper system of culture and fertilizing, we can easily make one acre pi'odicce one hale of cotton. This has been done repeatedly by many farmers and can be done by all, who have the energ}', brains and perseverance necessary to become a successful farmer. Hence, we have always contended that it was supreme foil}' to plant an acre of land in cotton that will not produce a bale, or in corn that will not make at least 20 bushels. By diversified husbandry, this improvement in our sj'stem of farming may bo accomplished and the manures made at liome will graduall}' enrich the whole farm. Our lands that have been worn and turned out, can be utilized by stock-raising and especially In' sheep husbandry. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND "WANTS. We have in Bermuda grass, Japan clover, {Lespidisa Striata) and the native grasses, which grow so luxuriantly all over our State the most abundant pasturage for our flocks and herds for at least nine months in the year, and with hay made from the cultivated grasses, such as Herds, Orchard, Johnson and Blue grass, with Red clover, all of which can be grown with proiit, together with a few cotton seed, our stock can be kept in good coudition tlie remaining three months of the year. Dr. A. C. Stevenson, one of the largest stock-raisers in Indiana, who has visited our State several times in the last four years, sa3-s: We have "unsurpassed advantages for raising stock of all kinds and for a mixed system of husbandr}-, and that there is no sound rea- son why the lands in Mississippi should sell at from $2 to $10 per acre while the lands in Indiana sell for $20 to $80 per acre. All that is needed to bring prosperity to your State, is to set 3'our vacant lands in grasses and enter largely into the production of stock." In this pamphlet, we will publish several articles from his able pen and we call special attention to his speech delivered before the Starkville Grange in March, 1879. In the cotton seed, in the manure from stock, and in the marls, found in immense beds in various portions of our State, we have the means to enrich our lands and to make them produce four-fold more than they do at the present time. ITS INFLUENCE ON TUE LABOR QUESTION. There is another view of this question, its influence on labor so ably presented by the editor of the Southern Live Stock Journal, Starkville, Miss., that we give the article in full: JllSSISSIPri STOCK-CUEEDEKS' ASSOCIATION. Elsewhere will be found the notice of Judge Houston, President, calling a meeting of the above named Association, to be held in Aberdeen, on the 16th and 17th of May. Last week we published a list of the members of this bod\% showing that it is composed of some of the leading and most influ- ential men in this State. We have seldom been permitted to chronicle the organization of an Association having for its object the promotion of greater interests of the State. Landed i)roperty is our chief property interest. Ours is not, and probabl}' never will bo, a State of large manufacturing or commercial importance. Our 7 98 STATE OP MISSISSIPPI. chief wealth in the future, as in the past, vv'ill remain agricultural. The agricultural system hitherto adopted is rapidly depleting the soil of its fertility. Profitable jaelds of our staple crops no longer respond even to the best culture. The old system was necessarily an expensive one, requiring a large amount of labor. This labor, neither in quantity nor in quality, in many sections, can be now secured. The blind adherence to the old system, under conditions radically changed, has resulted in the pecuniarj^ bankruptcy of a large portion of the land owners in the State. In many sections, ditches have filled up, fences rotted down — and where once were fields under a high state of cultivation, now sedge, thistles and briars have taken complete possession. In many instances the lands have been entirely abandoned and forfeited to the State for taxes. The outlook is certainly gloomy in the extreme. Added to this, in portions of the State, after heavy outlay in team and necessary supplies to carry on farming operations, seductive allure- ments by the interested and maliciously disposed, have induced the ignorant and easily deluded blacks to abandon crops, already planted, and seek homes in the far West, thus completely ruining those who have made large investments with a view of gambling on negro labor. We say gambling because farming under the present system with negro labor is fully as hazardous as a game of cards. Even those few in this favored prairie-belt who have thus far con- ducted their farms successfully under the new order of things can- not forsee or foretell the day and hour when the same influences, now actively at work elsewhere, may result in a general negro exo- dus here. Is it not wise to take time by the forelock, and prepare now for the possible, if not probable, contingencies of the future ? And even to the most successful cotton planter in East Mississippi we would like to profound a few inquiries. Does it not require un- tiring vigilance, tact, and administrative ability to make your farm profitable? Without like tact and good judgment, would your broad acres possess any value? In the case of your death, and the management of your estate devolves upon your wife, how long could she so manage as to hold the property together, and pa}- taxes upon the same? A farm of one thousand acres devoted to our staple crops will require from sixty to eighty farm laborers. This force involves a large expenditure in team, agricultural implements, farm machin- ery, and food supplies for team and laborers. What farmer's family to-day, in our favared prairie-belt, is com- RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. J»^ potent, in case of his death, to take charge and manage successfully an estate requiring administrative ability of such high order? Is there not some less complicated system wliere lands in a woman's hands would still possess some value? Suppose the whole farm was well fenced and all in permanent grass, how vastly less would be the skill necessarj- for its management? No large investment of team would l)c required. No heavy annual outla}' in agricultural implements and farm machinery. No heav3' bills to poy some commission merchant for supplies fur_ nished a vast horde of negro tenants. Instead of the farm washed gullied and impoverished, under the constant use of the plow, it would be covered l)y perennial grasses and clovers, which would knit the soil together, fill up gullies, increase fertility, and add great beaut}' to the whole country. "With one or two years more of onward march toward stock, the rental value of such a farm for grazing purposes alone, would greatly exceed its rental value in the l)almiest da3's of cotton culture. The simple truth is, under the present system, lands in the South have no certain value. The}' are not recognized as property. They constitute no basis of credit. Except in the hands of a few, pos- sessing peculiar qualifications for employing, directing and controll- ing negro labor, instead of property, they are an absolute burden to carry, and will soon bankrupt most women and children, when deprived of the head of the family. The popular fallacy heretofore existing, that ours was not a grass country, is fortunately forever exploded. No observing, intelli- gent man now doubts ours being a grass country. Dr. A. C. Stev- enson, of Indiana, a gentleman of national reputation as a breeder of Shorthorn cattle — a pioneer in early life in grass culture in his own State, came to this village last fall an unbeliever in refer- ence to the immense grass capabilities of our soil and climate, and the vast wealth existing in Southern lands when once perma- nently seeded to grass. The truth is at last finding lodgment in the minds of our own citizens, and to-day there are hundreds of ourenterprisingcitizens who are shaping their policy with reference to this new farm departure. This Stock Breeders' Association 'will constitute a nucleus — a rallying point for those entertaining progressive ideas upon this subject, and will ultimately be worth millions to the State of Mis- sissippi. We think it difficult to overestimate tlie immense value of this organization to the future material interests of the State. It cfC. 100 STATE OP MISSISSIPPI. is destined ultimately to completely i-evolutionize present farm practices, and should have the cordial indorsement and co-opera- tion of ever}^ patriotic citizen. A judicious selection has been made of a standard bearer — a gentleman distinguished not onl}^ lor his legal attainments, but also for his patriotism as well as advanced ideas and farm practice upon the subject of grass and stock. The interests of this Association could not have been committed to better hands, and he is extremely fortunate in the high character of those citizens who are giving their names, influence and labors in aid of the noble work so auspic- iously begun. We trust that accessions will be made to the mem- bership from every portion of the State, and that the support will be proportionate to the magnitude of the interests involved. In order to enlist the largest possible number, would it not be well that the meetings of the association be held at different points in the State ? We have no tears to shed over the departure of the negro. It relieves the State of a large element, dangerous, because vested with political rights without those qualifications so necessary to ex- ercise their political privileges intelligently. Horses, mules, cows and sheep, can, far more profitabl^^ to the State, fill up the vacuum created by the negro exodus. These last possess no dangerous political power, and instead of skimming and denuding the soil of its little remaining fertilizing elements, will aid in once more restor- ing its lost productiveness. By tissociated effort, these lands can be so grassed and stocked up, as again to be restored to original fertility: the highest value can again be given to our farms, peren- nial grasses and flocks and herds will again beautify our countr}', and these in turn, with our superior climate, will draw in the very l)est population of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky and Ten- nessee. To accomplish ends so desirable is in part the higli mission of this Stock Breeders' Association. As bearing on this important subject we give the able report of the Committee of Capitol Grange No. 19, whiclf ought to be read "by every farmer in Mississippi: EEPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CHANGE OF SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURE. Capital Grange, No. 19, Jackson, Miss., March 12, 1879, That the agricultural interest of this State is in a deplorable con- RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 101 and there will be no diOiculty in selling all of them; and no won- der, for the price is far below what the same quality of animals can be laid down for here. His Jerseys are perfect beauties. Maud Reynolds is the prettiest creature of her kind that we ever saw. Perfect in all her points, $200 would not begin to touch her. Capt. Crook showed our party her first calf, a pretty little creature of a week old. "Will you take fifty dollars for this calf ?" Ave asked. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 157 "I will give as much right now in cash, if he will take it," said Gen. Burke. "Gentlemen, you might put $25 on lop of that sum," replied Capt. Crook, "and that would not get the calf." This sum will buy about seventN'-five calves of the same age, of the common stock, and when it is known that it takes no more to feed a Jorse\' than it does to feed a scrub, the profits of raising fmo cattle can be seen at once. Gen. Burke is crossing the Merino on our common sheep, and finds the result very satisfactory, as is also Mr, Dud Bush, of the Valley; and here is the public benefit Cap- tain Crook's enterprise will confer. From his Hock the farmers of Cnlhoun can procure pure bloods for crossing on the common sheep, and in one season, double the value of their flocks and the annual wool crop of the same. We have no doubt of his success. This country is the natural home of the Jersey cow and Merino sheep, and not many summers will come and go before the sheep farm of Capt. Crook will be the mostprofital)le plantation in Alexan- dria Valle}'. When this is seen, the whole of that fertile and copi- ously watered valley, extensive as it is, will be converted into cattle and sheep farms, from whence Alabama and other Southern States will draw pure blood. — Jacksonville (Ala.) Republican. ABEEDEEJST, MISSISSIPPI, AND SURROUNDING COUNTRY. The following is from the able peu of Prof. M. E. Bacon, of Aberdeen, Miss., and published in the Examiner, of that city: THE HEALTH OF THE COUNTRY. We wish to present to inquirers au accurate statement of facts in relation to this, as well as other points. The idea has generally prevailed that the whole State was subject to the malarial diseases incident to the Mississippi river and its tributaries. Any one who will examine the topography of the country will find nothing here to cause the diseases which prevail in that section. With an ele- vation far above the level of the Mississippi river bottom, and one hundred miles east of these localities, the causes of malaria to such an extent does not exist. Settlements in immediate proximity to creek bottoms, may be liable more or less to chills in the fall, but prairie regions and hills, the locality for health will compare most favorably with any fertile country on the continent. The following statement is from our most experienced phy- sicians : "We have had no typhoid fever here within the last sixteen or seventeen years; no dysentery except a fev/ sporadic cases in the same period; no epidemic pneumonia, and the few cases scarcely ever fatal. Very little rheumatism or erysipelas, and no dyptheria for the last fourteen j^ears. We had cerebro-spinal menengitis four years ago, confined almost exclusively to the colored children as to race, and to Aberdeen and immediate vicinity as to the extent of locality. Yellow fever has never prevailed within one hundred miles of this center, and cholera the same. A few cases of both diseases have been imported, but did not reproduce a single other case in any instance." RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 159 WATER. The prairio is supplied with drinking water, mostly from cisterns dug in the lirac-stone rock below the surface, requiring no cement furnshing the best of water. Besides this, pools and bored wells furnish an abundance of stock water, while the sandy lands adja- cent are intersected with creeks and branches, which afford an abun- dant supply of running water. Free-stone water in dug wells from 15 to 20 feet deep, is also available in all localities in the sandy land. PRODUCTION. The prairie lands are peculiarly adapted to the growth of corn. Ever since the war, under the careless cultivation to which these lands have been subjected, a yield of only ten to twentj' bushels in an ordinar}' season has been realized, but under fair cultivation, as before the war, from thirty to lifty bushels per acre, was generally' produced on our prairie and cotton lands, and the same cultivation will again produce the like results. Oats, wheat, rj^e, Irish and sweet potatoes are produced here to advantage. I would say brief- 1\', that all that an industrious, thrifty farmer has a right to ask> can be found here. A healthy, mild climate, a fertile soil, wood and water in abundance, with railroad facilities that give him close and easy connection with the best markets in the country. "What- ever is lacking can only be made up here, as elsewhere, by industry and good management. The production of cotton varies from a half bale to a bale to the acre, whenever it is cultivated as it should be. It should also be borne in mind that all these productions are the result of the ordin- ary implements of husbandrj'. The improved implements have not been generally introduced. The steel plows arc making their way to favor and are a perfect success wherever introduced, but they have not been sulficiently used to make an}^ impression upon tlic mode of cultivation. Hut all these improvements must be introduced with caution; care must be taken to combine Southern experience with Northern enterprise, aided by improvements. PRICE OF LANDS. The price of lands vary from 83 to $25 according to qualit}' and improvements. The improvements on prairie lands arc generall}' 160 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. poor; oil the sandy lands they are generally better. But it is not at all uncommon to see the best of prairie farms with fine family residences, without an occupant, and dotted over with patches of crops, negligently cultivated by squads of indolent negroes. « EDUCATION AND RELIGION. The free school system is engrafted in the Constitution of the State, and public schools are in operation in ever count3\ The sys- tem here is in its infancy, and is defective in its operation, as it must be everj^where until it reaches maturity. The several denom- inations of Protestant Christians have their churches established all over the State. The Catholic churches are confined mainly to cities and towns. HOW ARE NORTHERN MEN RECEIVED ? Some still ask the amusing quesUon: "How are Northern men received and treated here ?" Just the same way that strangers are received everywhere. If treated as gentlemen where they came from, they vriU find like treatment here. Men of capital or of enter- prise, or both, will be gladl}^ received, and will be esteemed accord- ing to their true merits. A malicious effort has been made from interested motives ever since the war, to divert immigration from the South. Northern and Western men, who come as good citizens, and have done their part as good citizens, are scattered all over the South, and their success in business and their identity with the several communities in which they reside, constitute a sufficient ref- utation of the slander. MANUFACTURES. The manufacturing resources of the South are more abundant than is known to the Northern States. There is timber enough of great variety and superior quality in this immediate section, to supph' a large manufacturing interest for an indefinite period. A number of citizens are now proposing to organize a company for the^^manufacture of wagons, plows and other implements of hus- bandry, and they expect to secure, if possible, the co-operation of Northern capitalists and artisans. In reference to the manufacture of cotton fabrics, the question is asked, "Can we successfully compete with Northern manufac- turies?" To this a v>'ell informed writer replies: "We can buy cot- RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 161 ton here at two cents a pound less than they can. Our mills use the loose cotton purchased from the presses at two cents less per pound than the cost of the cotton bought for Northern consump- tion. During the war New Jerse}' became famous for its manufac- tories. To-day the mill of ]Mr. Nicoderaus is the only one in oper- ation there. Now what is the cause of this ? Our Bourbon friends will hartlly credit the statement, but they were forced to close their doors by llie success of the Georgia 31111, and to-day many of the original proprietors of the Northern mills ma}' be found success- full}' conducting, or interested in similar establishments in Geor- gia. The\' told me last sumnTcr that they could run a mill in the South, at twenty per cent, less cost than in New Jcrsc}-. We have also an immense advantage in fuel. But there are other and more attractive resources within our reach. Within fiftj- miles east of this place, lie inexhaustible beds of iron ore, and thirty miles farther east are beds of Bituminous coal, sufficient to supply the demands of the next century. From Aberdeen east, there is a projected railroad in progress of construc- tion which capital and enterprise would soon complete, and the route of this railroad is directly through the center of this region of mineral wealth. To bring the subject to a practical shape we would state that there are several parties who have authorized us to dispose of their lands, and we will communicate with any who wish to purchase either at present or with a view to getting possession in the fall. We are prepared to otfcr special inducements to families to colonize, and occup}- adjacent land. All applications to the subscriber will meet with attention. 1 have associated with me parties who will aid those seeking homes in the South, and prevent them from being imposed upon by persons who would take advantage of strangers. We offer our assistance to them, without charge, in aiding them in the selection of homes. Milton E. Bacon. Aberdeen, Mias. 11 LOW]^DES COUNTY. During '.he past twenty-five years I liave traveled more or less through twenty States of the Union, and can truthfully say, that for soil and climate this country can be scarcely excelled. I know of no country where a given amount of farm labor will 3'ield a larger return than this; and am persuaded that if the enterprising young men of the North and "West understood the lanvarnished facts in the case, multitudes would seek homes amongst us without dela3^ GENERAL OUTLINE OF LOWNDES COUNTY. The two-thirds of this county which lies west of the Tombigbee river, is for the most part rich black prairie, gently undulating, heavily timbered, and well adapted to the growth of cotton and corn. Lowndes county, east of the river, has a sandy soil, somewhat hilly, and not so well suited to the growth of corn, but makes a higher grade of cotton. It is the theory of some, that in the ages past this country was in a vast lake or sea, and that these rich prairies are alluvial lands. Beneath the soil of the prairies at depths varying from one to ten feet, lime rock may be found. It is of the greatest depth on the east, near the river, shelving out to r face as it approaches the western border of the county. Columbus, a city of five or six thousand inhabitants, on a bluft' on the east side of the Tombigbee, is the county seat. It is famed for its beauty of location, its residences with ample grounds and luxuriant shade trees, and the intelligence and refinement of its inhabitants. The Mobile and Ohio Railroad runs north and south through the entire breadth of the county, along the western side, with a branch road of thirteen miles leading to Columbus. There are four rail- road stations — Crawfordville, Artesia, which is at the junction of theColumbus Branch, with the main road, Mayhew and Tibbee. BESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 163 Another branch of the ^lobile and Ohio railroad runs from Ar- tesia to Starkville, the county seat of the adjoining county on the west, a distance of twelve miles. A railroad is also projected, called the Columbus, Fayettville and Decatur, designed to open up direct communication with the east, and to bring the abundant coal and iron mines of Alabama within a few hours ride of our county seat. This road is chartered, and but for the extraordinary pressure of the times, it would now be in process of construction. From Ma}' until late in September, the weather is warm, the thermometer ranging from 75 to 90 degrees in the shade. The months of October, November and December, are charming indeed be3'ond description. The rains set in about the first of January, and during the first three months of the j'ear we have most of our cold weather, and the heaviest rains. The gorgeous sun sets off this latitude, and the peculiarly bright moonlight nights, like those of far- famed Italy, attract the attention of the observing stranger. Snow seldom falls. Sometimes in February or March we have light snow, Avhich either melts as it falls upon the ground, or lingers a day or two if the ground is dr3', before its disappearance. The coldest weather freezes onl}- the surface of the ground, and not more than once in a decade will a pond of any considerable size bear up a skater with safet}'. jJuring the summer months, in the prairies, we have most delight- ful breezes, mitigating the extreme warmth. The winter is some- what fickle and fitful. The mercury seldom reaches lower than 30 degrees. The spring months are full of beauty. The air is fra- grant with the superabundance of flowers and abound everywhere, with but little culture, and the ear is greeted with the music of the mockiug bird, and other sweet songsters peculiar to this climate. To one who has never known aught save the bleak, dreary weather of the Northern winters, and their brief summer sunshine, this climate, both for natural beauty and salubrity, would present ex- traordinary attractions. The question has often been asked, CAN A WHITE MAN LABOU SUCCESSFULLY IN THIS CLIMATE? I propounded this question to-day to my friend and neighbor, Mr. John E, Stiles, one of our most thrifty farmers, and he turned his nut-brown face to me, and answered, '\vcs, sir, without a shadow of doubt." ^Ir. Stiles is over fifty years of age, and is a 164 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. daily laborer in liis own fields. It would be advisable for men coming here from the North, to come in the fall season, and for the first summer avoid hard labor during the heat of the da}-. A man can put in nine hours labor, during the long cummer days, by working only in the cool of the morning and evening ; leaving him, sa}^ four hours for rest and ease in the shade of his house. A great number of instances can be given as evidence that this ques- tion can only be answered truthfully in the aflirmative. Where larming is the calling, if every one is not a practical illustration of this truth, the cause may be found in either his laziness or false pride, PKICE OF LAND. Prices range from ten to twenty-flve dollars per acre. Parties coming here with read}'- money can purchase lands almost on their own terras. I know of a good plantation, well improved with tene- ment houses, that can be bought for seven dollars per acre, and pos- sibly for less. The place, however, is in need of ditching. An- other place, first-class, that could be bought at eleven or twelve dollars. A good number of large estates, very prosperous under the old regime, are gradual!}'' falling to decay, and the lands, in many cases, must be sold to meet growing indebtedness. The price of land here is now doubtless at its lowest ebb. Con- sidering the facilities for transportation — the fact that it is imme- diately on the line of a good road stretching from the Mexican Gulf on the south, to the Ohio river on the north, bringing it within eas3' reach of the best markets of the country — and consid- ering the fertility of the land, it is a matter of surprise that capi- talists are not already gleaning this rich harvest field. These lands are far below their intrinsic value, and it is, in the very nature of things, only a question of time when their market value will be quadrupled. W. H. Perkins. Columbus, Loivndes County, Miss. CEYSTAL SPEINGS, COPIAH COUNTY, MISS. Crystal Springs is located on the New Orleans, Chicago and St- Louis Railroad, about 150 miles north of New Orleans, and 25 miles south of Jackson, the capital of the State. The place takes its name from a beautiful collection of springs situated about a mile west of the place, which was selected as the most suitable place to establish what is known as the " Hcnnington Camp jNIeeting Grounds." The town contains about 1500 inhabi- tants. The surrounding country is exceedingly level and produc- tive, being a loamy, warm, sandy soil with clay subsoil, and partic- ularly adapted to the growth of fruits and vegetables in which business the people arc largely engaged, Tiie town is well sup- plied with fine schools and churches and the people are generali}' intelligent, thrifty and full of enterprise. THE CULTIVATION OF FRUIT AND VEGETADLE3. I This has gotten to be a considerable business here. The lands from Terry down the road, twenty or thirty miles seems admirabl)' adapted to the growth of peaches and vines; apples and pears do well but arc not so thrifty as the former. The fig grows with as murli luxuriance here as it does in its own native clime. Small fruits do well, including strawberries, raspberries and the domesti- cated blackberry. The strawberry business, though in its in- fancy, has gotten to be a large business. The vegetable business is entirely new. This is the first year it has been prosecuted to any extent. About forty acres were planted in peas, beans, potatoes and tomatoes this year ; although the freights to Chicago were high the proceeds arc encouraging. Mr. Piazza realized about S150 from an acre of string beans during the present j-ear. L. J. Rhymes for several years has realized more than 8100 per acre from his peach orchard. iMr. II. J. Hcnnington did even bet- ter than this last year. This shows that the business is and has 166 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. been profitable. The great secret is to know what assortment of peaches to plant for market. During the last year a large number of the most improved varie- ties have been planted in addition to the older trees which proved not to be as good assortment for market purposes as some of the later varieties. The crop from this point fluctuates from 25,000 to 40,000 boxes (one-half bushel to the box,) according to seasons. A total fail- ure of the peach crop is a rare thing; have not had an entire fail- ure for four or five years. It is more desirable and profitable than the cotton crop for several reasons. It brings money into the country when there is a general scarcity of it, the crop is soon gathered and marketed, while cotton requires incessant labor from January to January. LANDS AROUND CRYSTAL SPRINGS are worth from $10 to $25 per acre, according to quality; lands, more distant from tovvn, can be purchased at from three to five dol- lars per acre. Although the times have been hard property has generally held its own, and we firml}' believe that in less than ten years property will be worth three times as much as it is now. ALL KINDS OF GRASSES DO WELL, and the farmers are paying some attention to fine stock raising. Clover grows finely here. I have seen it in the month of May full of blossoms and two or three feet in height. Mr. L. J, Rhymes has five or six acres growing and it is as fine as any that grows in the clover regions of the West. The country here presents a fine field for immigration and for the judicious investment of money. TKRRY. This is a very pleasant little village located about ten miles north of Crystal Springs, in the county of Hinds. The country is very different in some respects to that of Crystal Springs. Instead of small farms as we have at Crystal Springs, there are tracts of land from 1,500 to 2,000 acres. This would be splendid for the location of colonies of immigrants. The lands are generally productive and well adapted to the cultivation of fruits and to growing stock. It is as large or even a larger peach RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 167 growing coiintiT than that of Ciystal Springs. Terry and the ad- jacent country is settled up by a fine class of people, and they have also fine church and school advantages, Wc have such old settlers there as Hon. A. G. Brown, who has a national reputation, Hal- berts, Tribbette, Brace}-, Thompson, jNIcRacs, all men of property and inlluencc. They should seek immigration, divide up their large tracts of land Into small areas, and a new impetus \YOuld be given to the growth and development of their resouicrs. A few miles above" Terr}', at Byram, there is an inexhaustible marl bed which will prove valuable as a fertilizer along the line of railroad. UAZLEnURST. Hazlehurst is located about ten miles below Crystal Springs, on the same railroad and in the same county. As you go from Crj-s- tal Springs towards Hazlehurst, you strike the piney woods which gradually becomes more undulating. The soil around Hazlehurst is even more sandy than that at Crystal Springs although more broken. Hazlehurst is a very nice village of about the same pop- ulation as Crystal Springs, and the county site. It is not as large a shipping point for fruits and vegetables as Crystal Springs and Terry, still the people ship a considerable amount of fruit and veg- etables. The}' also have fine schools and churches, and the coun- try is settled by an industrious and hard working class of citizens. Several Northwestern families have settled in and around Hazle- hurst , but don't how they have succeeded. Northern immigrants must not come here expecting too much. Till they become accus- tomed to our mode of cultivating the soil and find out what crops are most remuncraiivo, they will meet with many discouragements which will finally be overcome. The three points, Terry, Hazlehurst and Crystal Springs, form what is called the fruit belt along the line of this road. The soil and climate arc naturally adapted to the growth of both fruit and vegetables, and you can already see a new prosperity infused into the people by thus diversifying their industries. Wc have a great country here. Western lands no doubt are richer but wc have climatic advantages which the West can never possess. Thousands of acres of land arc lying idle and ready for the capital and energies of both the North and West. We all invite you to leave your crowded cities and workshops and come to a land which is destined to be a land ef plenty and prosperity. Respectfully, Crystal Sprinrjs, Jliss. S. H. Stackiiouse. ]^OXUBEE COUl^^TY, MSSISSIPPI. ITS LOCATION, SOIL, POPULATION, PRODUCTS, CLIMATE, ETC. Noxubee county is situated on the eastern border of Mississippi, midway between the Northern and Southern lines of the State, in latitute 33 deg, 10 miu. and longitude 11 deg. 50 min. Near its eastern border, in Alabama, runs the Tombigbee river, an excellent stream for navigation during seven or eight months of the year, and through its center the Mobile and Ohio railroad passes, extend- ing from Columbus, on the Mississippi river, to Mol)ile, Alabama. Macon, the county site, is a nourishing town of about 2,000 inhab- itants. It has six churches, a large female institute, two male schools and several freedmen's schools. Nearly all branches of business are represented among its inhabitants, and the mechanic arts suitable to the country are successfully prosecuted. The pop- ulation is about equally divided between whites and blacks, both living harmoniously together, and arc kind, sociable and hospita- ble. The machine shops of the Mississippi Department of the M. & 0. R. R., are located at this place. The population of the county in round numbers is about twen- ty-five thousand, six thousand whiter and nineteen thousand negroes. Outside of the towns (of which there are several in the county,) all classes of people are employed in agricultural pursuits. As a rule the white people own the lands and the negroes are the laborers, although there arc many exceptions to this, as a great many white people in the northern portion of the county hire no negroes, and perform ail necessary labor themselves, and in a few instances negroes own small bodies of land. ■ This is regarded as one of the richest upland counties in the State. Ihe larger part of it is in tlie prairie belt of the Tombig- bee valley, a region of country extending from Lee county, in Mis- sissippi, to Marengo count}', in Alabama, or from latitude 34 and longitude 12, to latitude 32 and longitude 11, being about one hun- RESOURCES, CONDITION AND "WANTS. 169 drcd and twenty or tliirty miles long and I'roni twenty to sixty miles wide. The prairie portion constitutes the eastern two-thirds of.the count}', and is a rich, black, or reddish black adhesive soil, but varying greath' as to color, consistency and fertilit}'. The depth of the soil varies from one to thirty feet, but will average about seven or eight feet, and is underlaid by white and blue rotten lime- stone. This land is easily cultivated, and yields abundantly to the labor of the iiusbandmeu. The staple crops are cotton, corn, oats, wheat, r\-e, barley, sweet and Irish potatoes, all kinds of garden vegetables, and fruits of every variel}' adapted to this climate. Pre- vious to the war the average yield of cotton per acre, without fer- tilization, was about twelve hundred pounds; now — although this is but little evidence of exhaustion in the lands — it is only six hun- dred, owing to our imperfect 33 stem of culture; the average of corn was thirty bushels, now it is about twelve; oats will yield from ten to thirty or forty bushels; wheat varies greatly owing to seasons, but a favorable year will turn out twenty or twenty-five bushels, frequently more. In fact, for small grain, fruits and vegetables, our count}' is fully equal to the prairies of Illinois, Iowa and other Western States, and have the advantage of their maturing at least a month earlier. Stock of all kinds are successfully raised here, and need not be fed in w'inter longer than three months. Various grasses for hay and grazing have been abundantU' produced by those farmers who make stock raising a specialty; but these arc very few. Rod clover, herd's and orchard grass, and by a few, timothy, bermuda grass and various excellent native grasses arc all adapted to our soil and climate. Bermuda grass — an importation from the West India Islands — is a rather siiort, irregularly pointed, nutritious grass, of remarkable vitality, sods well, and is looked upon by good stock raisers as one of the best grazing pro'Iucts. It will continue green nearly all winter. Tile western third of our countr}- is generally timbered lands, rather rolling, with a light sandy soil on the ridges, and a black, loose, sandy loam in the bottoms. It isvvell Avatercdby springs and running creeks and branches. This portion is better adapted to fruits and vegetables than the prairies, although not so productive of the staples of the count}-, unless Icrtilized, for which they arc peculiarly adapted, owing to their loose, mellow natures, ami stiff clay subsoil. Our climate is one of the most pleasant in America; summcr.s 170 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. are long, but not so intense and debilitating as further nortli; win- ters are sliort and mild — only about three rronths in length — with but little if any snow. The first frost is generally about the 10th or 20th of November, and the last from the 1st to the middle of March ; though we have frequent exceptions to these rules. Taking Noxubee county, as a whole, it is a most desirable local- ity for industrious, skillful farmers to make their homes. It con- tains in round numbers, six hundred thousand acres of land, about one-third of which is in cultivation. Timber in the prairie portion is convenient as a rule, and ample in quantity; the farthest that any farmer has to haul his wood is two miles, but it is generally close to his premises. Water in this part of the county is ob- tained b}' digging cisterns in the rotten limestone, which hold well and furnish most excellent, cool water; in fact no county can have better cisterns than ours. We also bore wells from two to five hundred feet deep, and bring the water conveniently near the sur- face; or frequently have it to run out in a perpetual stream. Good pools and ponds are dug out of the soft rock to furnish stock water, where there is not an artesian well. The health of our count}^ is good. Like all of the Northwest- ern and Southern States, we are subject to malarial disease (as chills and fever, bilious fever, etc., where the season and locality is favorable to them. Some years the}^ are more extensive than oth- ers, and frequently we have none, owing to the character of the season. If ordinary care and judgment is exercised in selecting a home, no fears need be entertained of sickness. Cholera and yellow fever have never visited us, and never will, as the conditions for their spread do not exist in our county. We are remarkably free from epidemics of every kind. Good lands and desirable homes can be had in abundance at rea- sonable prices; ranging from five to twenty dollars per acre for im- proved places, part cash and the balance on reasonable time. Land can be had in any quantity, from one to five thousand acres in a tract; the people being determined to divide their large plantations to suit purchasers. It is the universal wish of the people of Noxubee county, and of the South at large, that those of the North and West who contem- plate changing their homes, would come and examine our county, look at the products of our soil, experience our genial climate, ac- cept our hospitality, and if possible, make their homes among us. We will give them a cordial greeting, an earnest welcome and ex- RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 171 tend to them those civilities, social courtesies and friendships which merit and respectability demand. Wc have plenty of the richest land, plenty of good labor; but wc want the example and material aid of j-our skillful farming, your lessons of economy, your industry-; in fact we want your assistance in developing the boundless resources of this great Southern country. S. V. D. Hill. Macon, Jlississippi. THE GRASSES THAT GROW WELL IN MISSISSIPPL In connection with a changed system of husbandly, including grazing and stock-raising, it will be well to say something about the grasses that have been experimented with and are known to grow well in Mississippi. ORCHARD GRASS [Dcictijlis Glomercita.) This grass is a perennial and grows upon congenial soils anywhere between 33 and 47 degrees north latitude. It likes a soil moder- ately dry, porous, fertile and inclined to be sandy. In its early and rapid growth lies one of its chief merits, furnishing a rich bite for cattle earlier than almost an}^ other grass. It also grows later in the fall. It is very hardy, when well set makes a great yield. It starts out early in the spring and comes into blossom about the same time as red clover. After being cut, it springs up rapidly, after making a growth of four or five inches in a week. The chief objection to orchard grass is that it grows too much in stools or tussocks. This can be remedied by sowing a larger quan- tity of seed per acre — about two bushels of seed per acre. The seed weigh 14 lbs to the bushel. Orchard grass grows well in the shade, and hence its name. It withstands hot, dry weather better than most any other valuable grass. Preparation of the laud for orchard grass: Plow the land deep, pulverize the soil well, sow plent}^ of seed, let the seed be good, sow it evenly, and you will get a good stand of orchard grass that will last for j'cars. We may sum up the merits of this grass: 1. It is better suited to every variety of soil than any other. 2. It will grow with greater rapidity than any other grass, per- haps, with the exception of the Johnson grass, and for this reason \\ill sustain a larger number of animals per acre. It is excellent for soiling purposes. 3. It will grow in the shade. This quality will enable the far- RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 173 mers to utilize their woodlands as pasture, and so make tlicni a source of profit. 4. It will resist drouth better than most other grasses. 5. It is both a pasture and a hay grass. After a crop of hay has been taken oti in June, the aftermath (second growth) will furnish a good pasture throughout the remainder of the summer. A prom- inent sheep raiser in Tennessee, who has a flock of one thousand sheep, says: during the summer it will carry double as man}' sheep as Blue grass, acre for acre; but that Blue grass will furnish more and better winter grazing. G. Orchard grass may be sown in the spring or fall with small grain or alone. It is best not to be sown with grain, and many pre- fer to sow it in the fall, from the 15th of September to the luth of October, and it ought not to be pastured the first year. KKD TOP — HKKDS GRASS, (Af/rOStis Vul[/(li'h\) This grass was introduced from P^ugland, where it was known as the Bent grass. It loves a moist soil and on swampy places that will grow scarcely anything else. Herds grass will thrive wonder- fully. It is one of the most permanent grasses wc have and is greedily eaten, by all kinds of stock. Herds grass should be sown the last of September or first of October — any time after the equinoctial rains to the 15th of Octo- ber. When sown in the spring it is usually overrun with weeds. As a meadow or grazing grass it is very valuable. For meadow, prepare the ground well with plow and harrow and sow one bushel of clean seed per acre, one-half one way and then sow the other half across the first, so as to give an even stand. Use a roller to mash the clods and cover the seed. If sown by the first of October, alone, a crop of hay may be cut the next summer. The time to cut for hay is just before the seeds ripen, but if the seeds arc desired let them ripen, but it will still make good hay. Orchard grass grows well in some soils with Herds grass. MEANS, JonNSON, OR EGYPTIAN GRASS (Sor(jhiriii Halpcnsc.) A few years before the late war, Capt. Means of South Carolina, who commanded a trading vessel to the IMediterranean Sea, brought from Egypt a lot of seeds, from which he got a spoonful of seeds of an unknown kind. He handed them to a friend with the request 174 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. that they be sown in his garden. They came up and proved to be the grass named above; but little attention was paid to it until it nearly took his garden. He had the plants dug up by the roots and thrown into a neighboring gully, where they soon began to grow, stopping the wash and spreading all around. It was now seen for the first time that it was greedily eaten by stock. This was sug- gestive in a country where all the hay had to be imported, and so the seeds were gathered and sown. Thus the Means grass derived its name. ^ In 1860 Capt. Johnson of Marion Station, Alabama, paid a visit to some relatives in South Carlona and heard of this grass, that had in the meantime acquired a great reputation, and on his return, carried home with him a bushel of seeds and sowe'd them on his plantation. Soon after this he went into the Confederate service and was killed, leaving two little girls. These girls were sent to school at Tuscaloosa, but having no guardian and no means, the President of the college had a gentleman appointed guardian who went to Marion Station to see if his wards had anj'thing. In the meantime the plantation was left alone, no one caring for it, and it was unrented. He found it a large place and almost covered with the '^Ileans grass,''' the winds and stock having set it everywhere. Being a shrewd man, he saw its capability and at once advertised it as a stock farm, and soon rented it to Messrs. R. C. Gardner and J' C. Copeland, of Nashville, Tennessee. They saw their opportuni" ty and at once, and securing a number of baling presses, set to work cutting and baling hay for the Southern market. The hay proved popular and sold wherever tried, stock delighted in it, leaving all other kinds to eat it. Applications naturally poured in for some of the grass, and so they sold immense quanti- ties of the seed, and also of the roots, getting large prices for both. So great was its popularity that at the end of their five years lease a company of Northern men out-bid them, and have resorted to steam to assist in baling hay for market. Egyptian sugar-cane, (is its proper name) is a native of the Nile, where it grows fifteen to twenty feet high. So great is its luxu- riance there, that it has filled all the upper Nile so that a boat can- not be driven through it. Great numbers of cattle and wild ani- mals resort to it, and, in fact, it is the chief food of ruminants in that country. When young it is very tender and sweet, the sap being full of sugary iuice. It is a perennial plant and so vigorous that when RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 175 once planted, it is a difficult matter to eradicate it, so care must be taken to plant it where it can be kept in bounds. The roots are creeping and throw out shoots iVoni every joint. It is a line lorLili- zer, and sown on a piece of poor washed land, will in a few years, restore it to fertility. But there is really not much difference where it is sown, for a farmer once getting a good stand will not want to destroy it. It will bear cutting three or four times a year, and in fact, this has to be done, for when it matures seed, the stem and leaves are too coarse and woody for use. The ground must be prepared as for other grasses, and in Sep- tember, the earlier, the better; it should be sown at the rate of one bushel of seed per acre. It can be propagated also by the roots, by laying off the rows each wa}' and dropping a joint of the root two feet apart and covering with a harrow. It gives the earliest pastures we have, preceding IJlue grass, or clover a month. Hogs are fond of the r6ot6 and an}- amount of rooting will not injure it. In fact it is a stick tight. For soiling purposes it is not equalled by any grass in our know- ledge, as it can be cut every two or three three weeks. There is a vast amount of land in Mississippi now llevoted to gullies, that do not now pa}^ their taxes, which would richly remu- nerate the owner, if set in this grass. It is not necessary that the land should be broken up to start it; a iQW sprigs set out here and there in the richest spots, will soon secure a stand. Many farmers object to it on account of its great tenacity of life, matting the soil in ever}' direction with its cane-like roots, and the rapidity with whichit will spread over a field and the difficulty of eradicating it; but these very objections should be its recommenda- tion to the owners of worn-out fields. To destroy it and keep it down, it is only necessary to pasture it closeh' one year, and then in the fall turn the roots up with a big plow to the freezes of winter, renewing the plowing once or twice during the winter and then cul- tivating the land in a hoed crop the next spring. There certainly would be no risk in sowing it upon those worn-out lull sides, so many of which form unsightliy scars upon the face of nature in Mississippi. HERMUDA GRASS, {Cl/HOdon dactljloH.) Bermuda grass is a native of the West India Islands, and is the principal grass in tliat torrid country. There is a sacred grass in Hindostan, India, called the Daub, and it is venerated by the peo- 176 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. pie on account of its wonderful usefulness. Thi& is said to be pre- cisely the same as the Bermuda grass. It is a most valuable grass, and is destined to be the salvation of the hill land in Mississippi. With us it has ko seed, but can be easily propagated by dropping the cuttings in a farrow two or three feet apart. It docs not endure shade and can be destroyed by sow- ing the land in oats followed by peas. It will throw out runners down the sides of the deepest gully and stop its washing. Hogs thrive upon it, and its succulent roots, and -horses and cattle upon its foliage. Mr. Afflick. of Tennessee, says of Bermuda grass: " We are fully aware of all the objections made to the spreading of tills grass, and have a practical knowledge of all the trouble it occasions, and also have several years experience of its great and incalculahle value, we have no hesitation in stating that the latter is many fold greater than the former. The time is not far distant when all the rough feed consumed on plantations will be made from this grass.; and the planter will consider his hay crop as of much more importance than his sugar or cotton crop. The excellence of this grass for pasturage is evinced by two circumstances; it is pre- ferred by stock of every description to all other grasses, and grows luxuriantly in every kind of soil. One hundred pounds of grass afford iqnvard of fifty of hay, and we do cut, as a regular crop, five tons of hay, per acre, each season. No grass will yield such an amount of valuable hay, surpass it in nutritive qualities, support on an acre of pasture such an amount of stock, will improve the soil more quickl}^ or more effectually stop and fiil up a wash or gully. To the careful, judicious farmer, who wishes to improve his land and stock, wo earnestly recommend this grass. To the lazy, careless farmer, we say touch it not. " Bermuda grass well set, will aff^ord the finest and most nutritious pasturage we have ever seen, will keep almost any number of sheep per acre — three or four times as many as blue grass." The above is the experience of one of the largest stock raisers and practical farmers in Tennessee, with the Bermuda grass, yet many of our farmers in Mississippi consider it a curse. KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS (POA PRATENSIS.) This grass is valuable, both for summer and winter pasturage, and no farmer having land suitable to its growth should be with- out it. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 177 BLUE GRASS SOIL. Soils contaiuing lime, or a limestone country, is best adapted to its successtul growth. Lime is a natural stimulant to it, and it nourishes best when natural supplies of this salt are found in the soil. Hence the great success of the farmers in the prairie region of East Mississippi in the cultivation of Blue grass. Lime, though a great stimulant to its growth, is not an essential ingredient in the soil. It grows on the sandy hills of Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia, but not as rank as on limestone soils. Tunc FOR S0\VIXG BLUE GRASS. The most approved time for sowing Blue grass seeds is in the month of September up to the 15th of October. If sown during this time the fall rains will germinate the seeds and the grass will liave a good growth before the freezes of winter. The ground should be well prepared and the seed sown broadcast at the rate of one bushel per acre, one-half bushel one wa}-, and the half across the land, so as to secure an even stand. AFTER TREATMENT. Of one fact, there cannot be a doubt, and in this lies the secret of success with Blue grass pasture — do not pasture it to death. Let no stock run on it the first year, or at least until it is well estab- lished and completely covers the land. Allow the grass to recu- perate, b}"^ changing the stock from one pasture to another, and never over-stock it. There is much difference of opinion as to the amount of stock that ought to be put on an acre. This arises from the difference in the fertility of the land. Ordinarily, two acres of good grass are requisite for one three year old ox, and what will fatten one ox, will sustain in good order ten head of sheep. The fall growth of some lots of Blue grass, shouUl bo kept un- touched by stock, and in this way a fine winter pasturage can be secured. This is one of the great advantages of it in our climate. Good fat lambs can be sent into market earlier than from any other grass. It makes milk rich in butter, and gives the l)utter a fine golden color, even in winter. RED CLOVER (Tn'foUuni pratense.) There is no plant that is more useful to the farmer or stock- It 178 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. grower, than Red clovei". It furnishes an immense amount of grazing, yields an abundance of nutritious hay and beyond doubt it acts as an ameliorator of the soil, increasing more than an}^ other forage plant the amount of available nitrogen, and so becomes an important agent in keeping up the productive capacity of the land. SOILS ADAPTED TO ITS GROWTH. - Red clover is a biennial plant, l)ut under judicious management ma}' be made perennial. Col. II. O. Dixon, on his place, six miles west of Jackson, Hinds county, Miss., has a lot of clover that he sowed nine years ago, which he has cut and grazed for eight suc- cessive years. A lime soil is best adapted to clover; but it will grow on almost any soil where a stand can be secured, by the free application of laud-plaster, i. e. sulphate of lime, which seems to be a special fertilizer for this plant. Dr. D. L. Phares, of Wilkinson county, Miss., has been for years very successful in the cultivation of Red clover, often cutting four tons of good hay per acre. He sent me specimens of the plant averaging over 5 feet in length. That Red clover can be grown in nearly everj^ count}'' in Missis- sippi, "we have not the shadow of a doubt. TIME TO sow CLOVER. A better stand of clover with less seed, may alwaj^s be secured by sowing the land prepared, in the fall from the 1st of September to the 15th of October. We prefer to sow the seeds alone; some farmers sow them with red oats, or wheat, but the clover is liable to be killed out by the hot sun when oats or wheat are cut. Ten or twelve pounds of seed are enough to sow one acre. If sown with orchard grass one bushel of orchard grass seed and six pounds of clover seed per acre, will be the right quantity. Clover and orch- ard grass do well together as they bloom at the same time and are ready to cut for hay at the same time. Red clover should never be pastured until the second year. Red clover has no superior as a grazing plant. When in full vigor and bloom, it wall carry more cattle and sheep per acre tlian blue grass, herds grass or orchard grass. Though very nutritious and highly relished by cattle, it often produces a dangerous swelling called hoven, from which many cows die. When first turned upon clover, cattle should only be allowed to graze for an hour or two, and then be driven oil for tlie re- RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 179 inainder of the day, gradually increasing the time of grazing, until they heconio los:^ voracious in their api)ctites. With this precau- tion, there will be no danger of hoven. Stock should never be turned upon clover until it blooms. The practice of many farmers, to tun\ all the stock upon it, early in the spring, is very destructive and wasteful. SAVING CLOVLli IIAY. The best period for cutting clover for hay is a question about which there lias been much discussion. All will agree that it should be cut at the time when the nutritive elements, which give strength and produce Uesh, are at their maximum. Tliose wiio are in the habit of feeding stock, find that clover cut about the time of full bloom, when a few of the seeds begin to dry up, will, pound for pound, produce more fat and muscle than cut at any other time. The only art in curing ha}' is to retain as man}' of the life-giving constituents in it as possible, or to preserve it as near as practica- ble in the same condition as when cut, v>'ith the water onl}' dried out. The plan generally adopted is to mow the clover in the morning and let it lie in the sun several hours until well wilted. It is thea thrown into small cocks, say four feet in diameter and four feet high. In this, unless there is appearance of rain, it is allowed to remain for a dav or two, when it may l)e hauled to the barn, or sheds, and stored away without danger ol" damage. Care should be taken not to let the dew fall upon it us it lies scattered by the mower. The dew of a single night will blacken the leaves and de- stroy the aroma for which good clover lia_y is sd much prized by farmers. JAPAN CLOVEii [Lespedesa Striata.) This plant seems especiall}^ adapted to the Southern States. It is said to be a fine plant for grazing, and sheep feed upon itgreed- il}'. On soils unfit for anything else, it furnishes good pasture and it supplies a heavy green crop for turning under and improv- ing the land. It should be sown in January or February, and about one bushel of seed to ten acres is required io secure a good stand tiie first year. It is said to be an excellent renovator of old fields and restores fertility in an incredibly shoit time. Dr. Pendleton of Georgia, speaking of it, says: 180 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. 1. It grows on poor land with more luxuriance than any other grass or weed I have ever seen. 2. It has great powers of endurance, so far as the roots are con- cerned. During a wet season it luxuriates wherever propagated on poor hill-sides as well as meadow lands. 3. It is good pasturage for stock and especially for sheep.- I do not believe our stock like it as well as our native grasses, and I doubt wliether it is as nutritious as the Bermuda. As stock love variety, however, it may subserve a good purpose for pastures. 4. It furnishes a large supply of vegetable matter to the soil, and I believe will prove to be the best humus making plant we have at the South. 5. Another rare quality of this plant is indicated in the name I have given it— King grass — in the fact that it absolutely roots out and destroys every living plant in its wide-spread path. Not even Ber- muda grass, which has so long held undisputed sway, can resist its encroachments, I have a bottom long since given up to Bermuda;, recently I passed through it and found that the Lespedesa had taken possession. I have no doubt it would kill out any pest like the Coco grass, I intend to give it a fair trial on one or two patches of Coco. Mr. Samuel McKamsc}', of Warren county, Georgia, says: this clover made its appearance in this locality in 1870. It is fast covering the whole country. It supplies mucli grazing Irom the 1st of July until frost. It is short but very hard3\ Sheep are verj^ fond of it, and cattle will eat it. It is killing out the broom- sedge wherever it appears. ALFALFA, OR LUCERNE (MecUcago sativa.) This is, beyond doubt, the oldest cultivated forage plant known having been introduced into Greece from Media 500 3'ears B. C. ; and the Romans, undingoutits good qualities, cultivated it exten- sively; by tliem it was carried into France when Ci-esar conquered Gaul. It is emphatically a cliild of the sun and revels in a heat that would destroy any other species of clo\er; but cold and moist- ure arc hurtful to it. On the rich, sandy lands of the South it is invaluable and will grow luxuriantl3-, making enormous yields of hay. Its nutritive constituents are almost identical with Red Clover, but it has one property not possessed by the latter, and that is, it is perennial. now TO SECURE A GOOD STAND. To secure a good stand, the ground must be well prepared, well RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 181 pulvciized and uicllow. A want of attention to this thorough pre- paration lias caused many to fail; but in well prepared, rich, sandy loam, it succeeds remarkably-, sending down its long tap roots many feet into the subsoil, drawing up moisture from below, and thus will thrive when other plants arc drooping from drouth. In this respect it is far superior to clover, for the latter, a suitable surface soil is of equal importance with the subsoil, but for Lucerne a suitable sub- soil is absolutely necessary, as the roots are not fibrous, only root- lets shooting off from the main taproot. This tap root grows as large as a carrot. The enormous quantity of roots penetrating the ground to the depth of several feet, prepares the land for increased production. It derives the larger part of its susteuauce from the atmosphere and stores it up in its roots. so THAT, AS A FERTILIZER, IT STANDS lilGII. The soil is not only fertilized to the amount of several tons of roots, but it is mellowed from the mechanical displacement of the soil and the admixture of decayed vegetable matter. The seeds of Lucerne are yellow, when good; if brown tliey have received too much heat, and if light it indicates they were saved too green. The time of sowing is the same with the other species of clover, in the spring time. It should be sown in drills and cul- tivated the lirst year, so as to keep down the weeds. It is casil}' smothered out b}' weeds, when it first comes up. It derives the name Alfalfa from the Chilians. It grows spon- taneously all over Chili, among the Andes, as well as on the pampas of that country, Buenos Ay res and Brazil in South Amsrica. MANAGEMENT OF LUCERNE. When properly managed, the number of cattle which can be kept in good condition on an acre of Lucerne, during the whole season, exceeds belief. It is no sooner mown than it i)ushes out fresh shoots, and wonderful as the growth of clover soinciinies is, that of Lucerne is much more rapid. In the dryost and most sultry weather, when every blade of grass droops I'or want of moisture. Lucerne holds out its stem frcsii and green as in the genial spring. The first year it is apt to be troubled by the presence of weeds as it is slow in making a start; let the weeds be exterminated for that time, afterwards no fears need be entertained on that subject as it will take full possession of the ground. 182 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. THE cow OR FIELD PEA. The cow or field pea of the Southern States is more like a bean than'a pea and is supposed a species of dolichos belonging to the pulse family. Be this as it ma}^ its value as a farm crop has long been known. The ease with which it can be grown and its great value as a forage plant and as a fertilizer, have given it a prominent place in Southern agriculture. It belongs to the leguminous or pulse family and is commonly known as a pea. The letter following, from the Hon. H. M, Polk, of Hardeniaa county, Tennessee, to Col. J, B. Killebrew, Commissioner of Agri- culture for that State, is so thorough and exhaustive on the subject of the pea crop, that nothing more need be said. We will here state, that we are indebted to Col. Killebrew's able work, tlie grass- es of Tennessee for most of these articles, on grasses and forage plants suitable for Mississippi. Pea — (Pisum Sativum.) BoLivAK, Hardeman County, Tenn. Commissioner J. B. Killebrew : I will not stop to demonstrate what is manifest to all that the South, from lier sparse population, !ier wide-spread plantations, her adaptation to, and her predilection for the cultivation of certain of our great Southern staples, is not at this time, and may never be, in a condition to keep up her arable lands by animal manures alone> and that her only alternative is in green crops turned under for ren- ovatiLg and increasing the produciive capacity of her soil. In estiuiating the relative manurial values of green crops to bring up the productive capacity of our soils, we measure by the amount of crop prpduced in the shortest time, the elements upon which these crops feed, their capacity for returning plant food to the earth, and especially by their leaving more or less of those ele- ments in the soil which are necessary to the production of the suc- ceeding crop. Nor do we omit to estimate their several capacities for sending their roots deeply into the soil, thereby bringing up and depositing near the surface the ailment for plants which would otherwise remain below the reach of the roots of many of our most valuable cereals. For the accomplishment of these purposes no RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 183 vegetable equals the SouUieru field pea and red clover. In them we find the answer to the momentous question, how, and throu,i2;h what means can we, in the shortest space of time, bring our lands up to their highest productive capacities to meet our own and the varied wants of society. When we reflect that all progress, civiliza- tion, culture, refinement, prosperit}^ and happiness of societ}' hang supended upon the scale which measures out the feeding capacity of the eartli, we begin to appreciate those vegetable productions pro- motive of this desired end. The trefoils and leguras the a begin to loom up in their grand possibilities; and the clover and the field pea assume an importance not dreamed of before. Without them, on the one hand wo must descend to meager harvest^, ]:)erishing stock, fast approaching sterility, hard times and general liiscontent. On the other, b}' their powerful aid we ascend up to pLaliful har- vests, fat stock with the multiplied advantages resulting therefrom good living, mone}' in the pursue, prosperity and contentment. Can the pea ami clover accomplish all this? Worked in proper ro- tation with other crops they most assuredl}- can. in the heathen, but appreciative past, when gratitude was manifested by the erec- tion of temples, and b}' solemn worship to those deities from whom temporal blessings were thought to flow, the pea and clover of the present day have been entwined with the wheat and fruit — crown- ing the brow of beneficent Ceres. Now, these mainsprings of suc- cessful agriculture in our favored land are but half appreciated, and are thrust aside by the impatient tiller of the soil for some other crop supposed to bring in more immediate mone}^ profits; but which in its continued drafts upon the fertility of the soil, must ond in the l)ankruptcy, as well as the ruin of its possessor. In a previous letter to you I stated some of the advantages v,-hich the field pea possessed even over its great fellow laborer, red clover* as a fertilizer. 1. The pea will thrive upon land too poor to grow clover. 2. That it will produce a heav^- and rich crop to bo returned to the soil in a shorter period than any vegetable fertilizer known. 3. That two crops can be produced on the same grounds in (,)nc year; whereas it requires two years for clover to give a hay crop, and good aftermath for turning under. In this time four crops of peas can be made. 4. That the pea feeds but lightly upon, and hence leaves largely in the soil, those particular elements necessary to a succeeding grain crop, and tiie pea lay, in its decay, puts l)ack largely into the 184 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. soil those very elements required for a vigorous growth of the cereals. 5. There is no crop \yhich is its equal for leaving the soil in the very best condition for a succeeding wheat crop. 6. It is the only crop raised in the South so rapid in its growth and perfection as to be made an intervening manurial crop between grain cut in the spring, and grain sowed in the fall, upon the same ground. And this alone makes the pea invalulable to Southern agriculture. 7. In our particular latitude it flourishes equally with clover ; and wdth two such renovators of the soil (aside from their value as food crops,) no portion of the earth is equally blessed. North of us the pea does not succeed. 8. Its adaptability to other crops, producing in the space be- tween our corn rows both a provision and a fertilizing crop, v/ith positive benefit to the growing corn. 9. The aid it gives in producing cheap beef, pork, milk and but- ter. Without the pea pork could not be produced cheaply, where it costs sc much to make corn. 10. A doubled capacity for wintering stock, and with this a doubl}' enlarged manure htap. 11. The large plantations of the South can only be restored by green crops turned under, united to a judicious system of rotation looking to feeding the soil. This must be aided b}^ all the manure manufactured on the plantation. 12. The large addition made to humus, upon which the tilth, as ■well as capacity of the soil for retaining moisture, so greatly de- pends. As for the cultivation of the pea, one can scarcely go amiss. When two crops are intended for renovating, break the land sow broadcast and harrow in. Or drill in rows three feet apart, and plow out when a few inches high. When pods begin to ripen, if the crop is intended for manurial purposes, plow under with large two horse plow, with a well sharpened rolling coulter attached, or with chain passing from double tree to beam of the blow to hold the vines down for facilitating covering. A roller passe i over the vines before plowing under will cssist the operation. * Caustic lime should be sown upon the vines before plowing under to promote decay and neutralize the large amount of vegetable acid covered into the soil. Select the pea which runs least. The vines are easiest covered into the soil. They are the black bunch pea, and tlie speckle or whipporwill pea. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 1S5 When i)lanted in corn as a food crop, the bunch pea ripens soon- est ; but the Carolina Cow poa, the clay pea, or the black stock pea are preferable as they do not readily rot from wet weatlier, and will remain sound most of the winter. For early feeding of stock, plant whipporwili pea by itself in separate enclosuie from corn, where stock can be turned upon whenever desired. Peas are often sowed upon the stubble after small grain is har- vested. Flush up the ground, and sow either broadcast, or drill in furrow opened with shovel plow, covering with scooter furrow on each side. Block off or run over lightly with harrow and board attached. Again the}' are drilled in every fourth furrow, when turning over the stubble, the succeeding furrow covering the peas. When either of these last modes of planting is adopted, the peas should receive one good plowing out when the}' are from four to six inches high. When planted in corn (tlie corn should have been drilled in rows live feet apart), they should be stepdropped in a furrow equall}' distant from each corn row, and covered with scooter, with harrow or with block. This should be last of May or in the first ten days of June. The only work they receive w'hcn planted in corn, is a shovel or sweep furrow run around them when the corn is being "laid by," unless there is much grass, when it becomes necessary to give them light hoeing. The crop might ha said to be made almost without work when planted with corn ; in fact it is often so made by those planters who sow peas broadcast in their corn, and cover them with the last plowing given the corn. There is much diversity of opinion us to the proper treatment ot the vines in curing them for winter hay. And as much has been written upon the subject, the writer feels some diffidence in giving his own views. SutFice it to sa}', the great end to be attained is to cure the vines to the extent only of getting rid of a part of the suc- culent moisture in the vine, without burning up the leaves. When exposed to too much heat, the leaves fall very readily from the stems, and are lost. When putu[) too green and too compactly, the}' heat, and when fermentation of the juices in the vine and unripe pods occurs, the hay is seriously damaged, if not completely spoileil. Mildewed hay of any kind is but poor food for stock, and when eaten is only taken from necessity to ward o(T starvation. Some planters house their pea hay in open sheds, or loosely in barns, with rails so fixed as to prevent compacting. Otiiers stack in the o[)en air around 186 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. poles, having limbs from two to four feet long, to keep the mass of vines open to the air, and cover the top with grass. There is diversit}' of opinion as to the proper mannei' of curing and preserving this hay, but there is none as to the value of this rich food for all stock, and especially for the milch cow in increas- ing the quantity and quality of her milk. In attempting to renovate our soils by the aid of vegetable fer- tilizers, we should not confine ourselves to one, but should utilize all which are suitable to our soil and climate. The writer has some sixty or seventy acres in clover, and in much of this grasses are sown. Orchard grass and herds grass thrive well with us, whilst blue grass and timothy finds a congenial home in the lime lands of Middle Tennessee. In no part of the State does clover grow better, if so well, as in West Tennessee. In considering the great advantages of the field pea to the agri- cultural interests of our people, I do not wish to be understood as disparaging other vegetable renovators of the soil. The field pea certainly possesses many advantages, such as its adaptability to almost any soil, and to many crops grown with it at the same time, and with positive, benefit to the crop grown with it on the same ground. Each row of corn should be flanked b}' a row of peas. Every spot of ground in the field too poor for corn can and will •produce peas. There is nothing better to be sowed in old plowed up broomsedge fields, and there, whilst the land is being fertilized, one of the best provisioned crops for stock, and the best of ha}'' for milch cows in winter, is produced. And a still further advantage possessed by this valuable legume is its unequaled capacity for, and its unapproachable merit as an intervening crop, (being both a renovating and a food crop), between small grain or root crop in the spring and a grain crop in the fall. Do 3'ou ask more of an}' vegeta])le renovator? It is more valuable than the English turnip crop, and this crop, by those enlightened and eminently practical farmers, is estimated annually at millions of pounds sterling. It is doubted if England could tide it over the next two years if de- privetl of her turnip crop. It is the foundation of her stock and manure production. In contrasting the Southern field pea with the English turnip crop we begin to perceive its immense value to Southern agriculture, and realize that too often, in reaching after the so-called money crops, we have neglected the best fertilizers, (as well as food crop), ever given to the agricultural world, H. M. Polk. HEALTH IN MISSISSIPPI. BR WILLIAM M. COMPTON, M. V. While the subject of health is a very important one to the mau ■who seeks a pcrmant home for himself and his family', it can scarcely be supposed that, in a publication like this, we can give a very minute account of the diseases peculiar to this State. To the general inquiry, " Is it healthy ? " we unhesitatingly reply, "Yes." By this we do not mean to convey the impression that men, women and children do not get sick in Mississippi, Men get sick every, where, and they die evcrywlierc; whether in the frigid, temperate or torrid zones; whether on the land or on the sea; wliether on the mountain top or in the valley. We may sa}', in general terms, that in the vicinit\' of our water- courses — in the great alluvial valley of the Father of Waters, and in the prairie counties, at certain seasons of the A'car, many of the people have intermittent and remittent fevers, and other diseases common to malarial districts; but, as a rule, these are easily con- trolled, and with proper precautions, muy, to a great extent, be avoided. The uplands and table lands are as exempt from dis- ease as the most favored portion of the United States. We do not make these statements because they may look well in a report which is intended to induce immigration. We have the figures with which to prove what we say — that oMississippi in point of health, will compare favorably with any State in the Union. The mortu- ary statistics, as recorded in the ninth census of the United States, will bear witness to the truth of our statements. Byway of illustration, we will take at random, four States, two Northern and two Southern, and see how they compare. Sui)pose we take Illinois, ^Michigan, Alal)ama and Mississippi. We make 188 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. two tables, oue showing the total population and the total number of deaths in the year 1870, as follows: Illinois— Total population, 2,539,891; total deaths, 1870, 33,- 672. Michigan— Total population, 1,184,059 ; total deaths, 1870, 11,- 181. Alabama— Total population, 990,992; total deaths, 1870, 10,- 771. Mississippi— Total population, 827,921 ; total deaths, 1870, 9,- 172. It will be perceived from the above, that the ratio of deaths is very favorable for Mississippi. Taking Illinois for illustration, we find, at the outset, that the population of that State is only a small fraction more than three times the population of Mississippi, whereas the number of deaths in 1870, in Illinois, is nearly four times the number in Mississippi. In fact, the figures show that while the deaths in Mississippi amount to one in ninetij of the population, the deaths in Illinois amount to one in seventy-Jive. Keeping in view the relative population of the State, the same ratio will be found to approximate very closely in the table, (See mortality statistics, page 24, of this pamphlet) which shows some of the principal causes of death. For further particulars, we refer the reader to the census report. In addition to the above article, from the able pen of the lats Dr. W. M. Compton, formerly Superintendent of the State Insane Asy- lum, we will state, that notwithstanding the yellow fever epidemic, which visited Mississippi last summer and fall, (1878,) the death rate is not as great as in Illinois. Oue fact was most conclusively demonstrated in this epidemic that this fatal disease can he kept away by a strict c^uarantinc. We will give one illustration : The city of Natchez. Although in former epidemics this city had suf- fered severely, yet in 1878 she escaped b}' the strict enforcement of a rigid quarantine. What was done for Natchez in 1878, can, and ought to be done, for every city and town in Mississippi. I FRUIT GROWING IN MlSSlSSim. From the Prairie Farmer. McCoMB City, Miss. As I have been on a tour in this country for several weeks, ex- amining its agriculti'iral condition, and its adaptability to other crops than that of cotton, I have thought that my observations and conclusions might be of some interest to j'our numerous readers. I shall only trouble you with a few thoughts on the culture of iruits. There are man}' varieties of fruit, that are common to the "West and North, that can be cultivated here with great success, viz : The pear does very well here, bears abundantly, and the tree is quite free from disease, and the fruit is said to be of the finest flavor. The fig grows here and bears profusel}', and for canning or drying are of great value. The peach here is at home ; a health}' tree and a sure bearer, and of the finest quality and flavor. I saw here, a 3'ear ago, an orchard of fifty young trees, that the owner sent to Illinois for, and he told me that some of the peaches from his orchard, sold in New Orleans at a dime apiece ; but be this as it may, and probably not many were thus sold, yet the fact is well established, that this is a very fine peach countiy. Early summer and fall apples do very well, and winter apples might, if they could fmd winter in which to keep them. The winters here arc too warm I should think for the keeping of apples; but the apple can be raised in great abundance, and I have it, on good authority, that they have been kept until March. The testimony as to the cherry is somewhat contradictory. Probably the proper varieties have not yet been obtained. Tlie wild cherry grows in groat abundance and luxuriance, and I infer that some of the improved varieties will be found to do well; indeed,! have seen persons v/ho sa}* that the}' have already obtained them. Tiie strawberry grows and bears here to perfection. Ripe fruit was eaten here until Christmas, and 190 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. the vines are in full bloom here now, and have been for some weeks past. A bed of large size here, under my window, that was planted last fall, are looking fine and are in bloom and bid fair for a large crop of early berries. Most of the gardeners sa_y that the currant, gooseberry and the raspberry do not do well. Yet I have it, on good authority, that a gentleman near this place markets a considerable quantit}'' of a black variety of raspberry every year; showing that natives do well, whilst it is the foreign alone that fail. The blackberr\^ grows finelj^ in the old fields, but I think has re- ceived little attention as a cultivated fruit. Here, then, is the peach, the pear, the apple, the strawberry, blackberry and fig, that produce here the finest specimens of their fruit, both in size and flavor; and the raspberry might be added, and, probably, the cherry soon will be, for it must be remembered that fruit growing is in its infancy here. The old cotton growers heretofore had no inclination to cultivate fruit; it suited their tastes much better to buy. Fruit growing still is in the hands of a few only. Still, cotton growers are beginning to appreciate its value. One remarked to me, in pointing to a few stunted pear trees, that they had yielded pears that v/ere ship- ped, by a small son of his, to New Orleans, to the amount one hundred dollars net, or seven dollars a tree, and continued: "If I had an orchard of a few acres, they would soon yield me a fortune." How slowly we change modes even when better practices are apparent. Persons who have been bred to fruit growing must come here to develop this great interest that must richly repay the undertakers. The inducements to Western fruit growers to establish them- selves here, are many and important. First, a considerable home market that is yet poorly supplied; fruit here is not only greatl}^ relished, but is greatly conducive to the health of a Southern pop- ulation, and, therefore, will be one of the first consequence. Sec- ond, fruit matures here several weeks sooner than in the North, or even in the West, and consequently will find there the earliest and best market, and for this purpose alone will ever be an interest of great value. The means of conveyance by rail, to j'our city, is direct ; thus a great distributing point, and of large consumption itself, is easily and quickly reached. Pardon me for neglecting to mention the grape in my enumeration of fruits. Of all other fruits it is probably most properly adapted to this latitude, and I have equally overlooked the plum, which grows here in quantities and perfection, in a wild and uncultivated state. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 191 In conolusion, jxirmit me to contradict the old notions that were [)runuiigatcd in iho da3-s of slavery, that white inc:i could not work in this climati!. [ have conversed with numbers of men from the West, from your State and cit}', who have lived here for years, who all bear witness to its I'alsit}-. But, more, here are foreigners from almost every part of li^uropo, who work at all sea- sons with as much impunity as the colored race. And again, here are many ucighborhouds and families in various places, that never owned a slave, who have done their own work, and are to-da}' the most prosperous and health}' people in the South. Another great error is that persons from the States formerly not slave, will not be kindly received. This may be contradicted by the very broad fact that they are more desired here than any others whatever, and will meet the most hearty welcome. Lands can be had for from three to twelve dollars per acrc^ and in the most healthful situations. A. C. Stevenson, of Indiana. SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI. From the Pittsburg Gazette. McCoMB City, Miss. A visit of some weeks duration to the southern part of Missis- sippi, showed us many things of interest and beauty. We left the ice and snow of our smoky city early in March, and in a few days had left behind the drear winter and had advanced into the bloom and blossom of spring. McComb City, our destination, was soon reached. The climate of this Southern piney woods region is mild and health-giving all the year round. Garden vegetables can be had from the beginning to the end of the year; one gentleman whom we met, picked ripe strawberries from his garden on the first of January; another had butterbeans in the middle of December, Mr, Berglund, a Swede, who has been in the country twenty years, and who has, during that time, brought over some six hundred other Swedes, assured me that where they were ordinarily prudent in their diet, his countrymen experienced no evil effects whatever from the great change of climate. The fertility of the soil is wonderful. Not only can cotton, rice and sugar be raised, but also wheat, corn,* oats, grasses and fruits, such as pears, plums, peaches, oranges, etc. As fine stock can be raised in this part of the State as anywhere in the United States, with this great advantage, that owing to the mildness of the winter, it maybe kept at little or no extra expense. Land is also marvelously cheap; excellent virgin soil can be bought at from $3 to $10 per acre. The tide of immigration must soon turn from the West, and to one looking, for a home and a profita- ble investment, no fairer opportunity is offered than in Mississippi and in the "great South" generall3\ Indeed, this State has attractions for almost all classes of men; to the lover of nature, it presents visions of fruits and flowers, of singing birds and blos- soming trees, the weird witchery'' of lakes and ba^'ous covered with rich and ever-varying vegetation. RESOURCES, CONDITION AND WANTS. 193 To the invalid is offered a mild invigorating cliiuato; the rcsinu- ous breezes of the pine region are said to have a eurative power in pulmonary affections. And to the practical mone^'-making man it has niany charms; vast acres of most fertile soil at incredibly low prices ; great quantities of timber, as pine, oak, magnolia, walnut, cypress, hickor}*, etc.; immense water powers furnish every incentive to invest here. To men who will put their brains, muscles and money into exercise to develop the country, its possibilities arc vast, its rewards sure. There is no room, however, for mere adven- turers and speculators. The yield of cotton, per acre, at a very moderate estimate, is one-half bale, which brings $25 00; corn from 20 to GO bushels; sweet potatoes from one hundred and fifty to four hundred bushels; Irish from one hundred and fifty to two hundred bushels; rice fifteen bushels. Sheep of the finest breeds, Southdowns, Costwold, Merinos, and others, can be raised with almost no attention and at very little ex- pense. In fact, their manure will pay for all the trouble and ex- pense. Grasses, rye and turnips grow rapidly, and so mild is the climate that the sheep have pasturage all the winter and need little or no shelter. Sheep thrive here and increase rapid!}-. Before the war few planters paid an}- attention to sheep raising, and the flocks of those who had any sheep at all were left to care for themselves. Despite this carelessness, they multiplied exceedingly. The wool grown is a superior article. Wool grown at Canton, Mississippi, took the premium at the World's Fair in London. The weight of wool per sheep is from three and a half to eight pounds, according to the breed. A great advantage is a home market in Wesson, where the wool is converted into fine fabrics. The disease peculiar to other sheep raising sections of our country are almost unknown here. Here are inducements enough, the expense is light, the profits clear and sure. One most important item is, that lambs can be raised and ready for the Western markets three months before ihe}' aro born North. And now a few words in regard to politics. Is the Northern Re* publican as safe with regard to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Most assuredly he is. From personal observations and conversations with men who have gone South, and have never changed their political views, I answer, unreservedly that any man who is is in any waj"- respectable, is as safe in Mississippi as anywhero no matter what his views. Carpet-baagers, and mere political advcn- 13 f6T STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. turers, however, may expect ostracism, as thieves do with us. The South accepts, in a measure at least, the results of the war, and from self-interest, if nothing else, is laboring to promote the peace and general welfare of the countrj'. I know many Republicans in Mississippi who are admired and respected by all classes of soci- ety. This is true in general; that there are lawless sections, no one will deny. Arthur D. Murray. HELP THE YOUNG MEN. Rural Mo.s.sen.i,'er. The remark is not infrequently nia Hog-raising in ^Mississippi 129 Health in Mississippi ^^1 Help the young men 195 FEB 23 1905 200 STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. PAGE, Immigration 12 Immigration to the South 52 Importance of the anal}- sis ©f Plants 89 Information from practical farmers on Hogs 130 Jones, Perry, Covington and other counties 68 Japan Clover 179 Lumber in Mississippi 9 Lettter from Col. D, Dennett 19 Letter from Col. D. Dennett 21 Lowndes County, Prairie Country in Mississippi 161 Manufacturing Statistics 4 Mississippi As It Is 30 Middle Mississippi 38 Miss'ssippi Stock Breeders' Association 97 North Mississippi 47 Northwest Mississippi 54 Nitrogen and Carbonic Acid ^0 Noxubee County, etc 168 Our Experience in South Mississippi 14 Price of Lands in Mississippi 7 Productions 7 Population 14 Phosphate of Lime 89 Preventives of Diseases in Hogs 134 Report of Committee of Capital Grange No. 19, on change of system of farming 100 Red Clover 177 Soil of Mississippi 4 Stock Raising in Mississippi 9 South Mississippi 50 Strawberry Culture in Mississippi 64 Slieep Husbandry in Mississippi 100 Sheep Husbandry in Tennessee 119 Some facts about Lime 152 Southern Mississippi ?>^. 192 Taxation in Mississippi 16 The Great Mississippi Basin 65 Tlie Pine District in Mississippi 77 The most valuable constituents of the soil 92 The substances a bale of cotton takes from the Soil 95 Ticks on Sheep 120 Tlie renovating of worn-out lands 154 The Grasses that grow well in jMississippi 172 Tlie Cow, or Field Pea 182 Waterways and Railways in Mississippi 11 Winston countv, Education, etc 150 BD 1.01 <^ "ol '^o ^^^*^ ^''^ a'^ <^. 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