University of Southern Mississippi - Southerner Yearbook (Hattiesburg, MS)

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illliaaiaaippi han iiaag Arrvaa In Glrrat illiarkvta C. H. ALLEN NDUSTRIAL and commercial progress is directly dependent upon markets and transpor- tation facilities. A country's success lies in its ability to produce those things that are needed and to transport them to places where they are in demand. By nature and de- velopment Mississippi offers to her people this twofold advantage. The pages following call attention to some of our opportunities in productiong here we wish to refer to our facilities for distribution. Few sections of the United States are more favorably situated with reference to markets than is Mississippi. As shown in the diagram opposite, a complete system of trunk lines leads from the state, bringing us in direct touch with the great commercial centers of the North, East, and West. Supplementing these lines is our net work of 4500 miles of rail- road, traversing every portion of the state. Thus with our good roads and public highways the markets of the world are being brought in reach of every farmhouse door. It is not only the quality of the production, but also the splendid transportation facilities that cause Mississippi's goods to find ready sale in the most distant centers of trade. Our products are shipped in through cars to their destination without any loss of time, ex- pense, or damage that often occurs in rehandling. This is especially true of perishable fruits and vegetables. For example strawberries packed in ventilated cars reach St. Paul, a thous- and miles away, in perfect condition, or tomatoes arrive in Pittsburg as fresh as when taken from the vine. Too, on account of our favorable climatic conditions, we are able to follow closely the Florida crop in the Northern and Eastern markets and receive the early prices be- fore the other sections can begin shipping. Prompt service has done much to increase the volume of our business and to extend the territory of our trade. Carloads of sweet and Irish potatoes that have been grown on Mississippi soil may be seen entering the markets of Fort Worth. Oklahoma City, and Omaha. The live-stock industry has been greatly developed in our state since we have such easy ac- cess to the markets of St. Louis, Kansas City, and Chicago, where we are shipping thousands of mules, cattle, and hogs every year. The truck which is grown extensively in the south- ern part of the state is being sent by carload lots to Cincinnati, Pittsburg, New York, and other points in the North and East. Mississippi, though young as a manufacturing state, is fast realizing her commercial advantages in this line. With the rich coal fields of Alabama at our door and the abundant raw material at hand, we have every opportunity to compete with the world in the market- ing of finished products. Nature has decreed that Mississippi should have special commercial advantages. To our west lies the broad Mississippi river leading to the Gulf, giving our people throughout the length of the state the benefits of water transportation. On our south borders the Gulf of Mexico with Gulfport as our largest seaport town. Through the aid of the United States Government we are able to maintain a harbor here that is as safe and secure for vessels as any that can be found at any port in the world. Its anchorage basin, which is one-half by one-fourth miles and with a depth of twenty-four feet at low tide, cin accommodate the largest steamers that touch our shores. Through the avenue of this splendid port, Missis- sippi has been able to exchange her wares directly with all the countries of the South and East. Our natural location invites the trade of the West Indies. Central and South America, with whom American commerce has been steadily growing. With cotton, lumber, and naval stores as our largest exports by sea we carry on trade in the leading markets of Liverpool. Bremen, Havana, and Rio de Janeiro. Since the opening of the Panama Canal the circuit of our commercial influence has been made complete. Through this gateway we have reached our own Pacific Coast, and our trade has been extended to Australia and the far East. Mississippi indeed has excellent opportunities for industrial ane commercial develop- ment. There is a market for every product, and her commodities are fast claiming inter- national fame. 8

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ST.PAUL ', DETROIT '9 cv-non ,190 E' so 4, OMAHA owe Darwen 'V4r, - QWQ OKLAH ' WA. 1 . 1 - - . ., D C M YX 4 , ' - , 0 Q75 O6 112 E 4' 43 4? .2 V 3 Q4' . - kN' , Q Q , W H 44, M i I 44, 1 I ' ' 'S' C l N 1 I-:L PAso K . .Q X - - 4- O 00 W? Ld T1 x x 41, x X X I 1 X, 'QNX Xxx lf X :ox Xxxxxx ' X T sca,,,esf L mx x X xx A PA Rssxe-n:iJ3 ,,,'xx XXXX X434 - - ,, -4 If : xx X Sfto,-X sql., xg A Q1 If ' X G6 X iafsh? xfiax inf' 'O X3 tier. Xe? X 53' X , I2 O X96 X' Q xx gf XF X? Xnso s 57 U E, xx-'51 X X 5' is Qi XI X X A 5 x ,' ' xl X X 1 f VZ XX X XO 1 I X I X : x Qhllillerk Mississippi's Facilities for Commerce 7

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illllizmiaaippi in Zirirf VIRGIE COGDELL Area of Mississippi 46,865 square miles. Total land surface 30,000,000 acres. Population of Mississippi 1,950,000. Uncultivated land 20,000,000 acres. Number of miles of improved roads 16,900. ' In 1914 Mississippi had 17 savings banks with 15,331 depositors, who had to their credit 34,908,633 Mississippi has 44 Agricultural High Schools in operation with 5,346 students, and plants aggregating a cost of 31,161,571 Mississippi has 5 State Institutions for higher education-the University at Oxford, the A. Sz M. College at Starkville, the I. I. Sz C. at Columbus, the Normal College for teach- ers at Hattiesburg, and the Alcorn A. gl M. College for negroes at Rodnev. Mississippi has 41 counties using County Demonstration Agents. Mississippi has 51 counties free from cattle tick. Mississippi boasts of: The largest cotton oil mill in the world, at Greenwood. The largest hardwood lumber mill in the world, at Charleston. The largest shipping point of lumber in the world-Laurel. The largest shipping point for canned shrimp and the second largest for canned oysters in the world-Biloxi. The largest shipping point in the world for fresh vegetables-Crystal Springs. Mississippi exports annually: 32,000,000 of naval stores. - i 32,000,000 of shrimp and oysters. ' 4 , 350, 000,000 of lumber. I ni .St M383,000,000 og comm. , 'rf :f,.,....,k H- ississippi pro uces: ' gf A '- 310,000 of oranges. S H, 7551 fe Y' 3150,000 of honey. : - ' 'fff ti n ,gvgggdgv . ,. N -., 3200,000 of strawberries. 3 ...Meigs I t V, 3i086g0g03f1EeCar1S- 'Q it ,dim , 1 Q A Q M' r- :Ai 'li ua , 'SA 9 1 0 oats. 'EF' HUF Sffifgf' I E 32,000,000 of cane syrup. 55 ' . E L I. 'iv if., 33,500,000 of sweet potatoes. r ,,, A , Y 10 'if f ' . 3 . +2 .f e 36,000,000 of fresh vegetables. ' e--- p V F A 31 A N 36,000,000 of poultry and eggs. . ' y 360,000,000 of com. ' ' ' ' ' Mississippi ships radishes from No- Arts and Crafts Building at the Centennial vember 1 till May 1: strawberries from March 15 till June 1: oranges from October to Januaryg canta- loupes and water melons by June 153 sweet potatoes by July 1: tomatoes by May 1. In 1910 Mississippi had 2,598 manufacturing industries. engaging 56.760 people. Mississippi produced manufactures in 1910 valued at 381,000,000, with lumber head- ing the list in value. Mississippi ranks third in lumber production in the United States. Mississippi has a meat packing plant at Natchez: 2 plants for curing fresh-meat, at Wiggins and Collins: 2 lime-crushing plants, at Okolona and Waynesboro: a million dollar paper mill at Moss Point: 17 creameries, the one at Macon shipping 3100,000 of dairy pro- ducts in 1916. Mississippi has 26 counties finished and 8 partially worked over by the State Soil Survey men. Output of mineral products in Mississippi in 1913 valued at 31,143,4003 of these, clay products amounted to 3530, 900. In 1916 the farmers working under demonstration agents had an average yield to the acre in oats of 32.5 bu.: in wheat 21 bu.: in corn 37 bu.: in cotton 1200 lbs. Mississippi Corn Club boys have produced 227 bu. of corn to the acre. Mississippi has a death rate of 13.05 per thousand against the United States rate of 13.65. 9