No. 85. J 351 



that is seen any where. Yet for all this, as a State, the land is level. 

 The soil is equally various ; the hills of the river are rich, and are 

 the best cotton lands in the State ; whereas, the hilly lands of the in- 

 terior are poor to fair quality ; the level lands of the eastern portion 

 of the State widely ditfer ; some of that country is rich, but the 

 larger portion are covered with pine, and much of that timber ap- 

 pears to be young. The level lands of the western and northern por- 

 tion, are from fair to choice lands. 



A portion of the eastern and upper part of the State, is well sup- 

 plied with streams of water, where excellent mill seats, and water 

 too, can be found, to carry on manufactories. This, with the healthi- 

 ness of that region, will some day bring it into notice ; and 1 might 

 add, the vast grass range for cattle, hogs and sheep. There are here, 

 thousands of acres, — not entered, — and not unfrequently 500 to over 

 2000 head of cattle belonging to one man. 



Our means of production are as various as the soil, or face of 

 country, and far more than our products indicate. Much of the east 

 can only rear stock, and this can be done to an indefinite extent ; a 

 portion of it, and of the north, can raise wheat and stock profitably ; 

 and if those who live so remote from market, would devote their at- 

 tention to stock, they would be the gainers, and their country enrich- 

 ed. The west portion can, as I have before said, raise all supplies 

 and a fair crop of cotton. 



Our product of corn may not show over an average crop of twen- 

 ty bushels per acre ; but if no more, any farmer can make a full sup- 

 ply, and a fair crop of our staple. One fact is certain, — many raise 

 enough, and some large cotton growers do actually sell corn. If 

 these do so, why those who make a less crop per Land cannot, I leave 

 to others to account for. 



In many portions of this State, the only attention that cattle, 

 sheep and hogs require, is, a little salt and corn, to keep them gentle ; 

 and yet it is broadly asserted, and again reiterated, that there is no 

 grass in Mississippi, — that the heat of sun and want of rain, parches 

 up vegetation. If this be so, how could a man, planting only some 

 ten or twenty acres of corn, keep his 1,000 or 2,000 head of cattle, 

 which is now done in the eastern portion of Mississippi ? How can 

 the farmer who works only fifteen or twenty hands, and is known to 

 make large crops of cotton too, — I ask, how can he feed 300 to 500 

 head of hogs, 100 to 200 head of sheep, and full 200 head of cattle, 

 besides work horses and a few colts 7 Yet this is done, and the 

 owner sells corn, also cattle, sheep, and pork. Then let it not be 

 said that Mississippi cannot raise her necessaries, nor produce grass. 

 While on this subject, allow me to Say, that as early as the 26th of 

 March, I have cut a stalk of red clover here, measuring 46 inches, 

 and had a lot of over four acres, that would have averaged three 

 feet. 



There is generally but little attention devoted to raising of stock 

 of any description, but if you will cast your eye over the census as 

 returned to the general government, you will see that we raise some 



