The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-01-31
For the Times.
"what are You Going to do about Ity"

For the Times.
"what are You Going to do about Itl'
MR.. EDITOR Have the farmers of our Coun-
ty noticed that the manufacturers of what
called commercial fertilizers" have held u
| convention and agreed to advance tho price Of
their compounds?
1t is even SO. They have dictated the terms
] upon which they will deliver their fertilizers,
| and the price they will allow for our cotton.
1t is little singular that this movement
should be made at time when cotton has run
down to such u point that many farmers are
doubling the propricty Of investing money in
fertilizers at all. have seen no farmer who
does not admit that it is losing business to
raise cotton at present prices. Merchants and
fertilizer men will tell you that there is as much
money in farming ever, because provisions
and dry goods arc 50 very low. 1t will be found
to be a falacious iuva, when you come to ana
lyze it. The wonderful improvements in ma
chnery and sharp competition have reduced the
cost of different manufactured goods. The ia
cities of transportation aad competition of
different Railroads have rcvolutonzcd trade,
and the makcts of every nook and corner
of the country are filled with the products of
b
provement has been made in cheapening the
production of bale of cotton. We pay higher
taxes to State and County; we pay very high
for our labor, such as it is ; we pay for money
q runious interest, and high prices for all extra
work on the farm. We pay higher blacksmith
bill repairs of all kinds cost more; we have
introduced no laborsaving implements, If we
cultivate moro land to the mule it is done at the
expense Of other work, or badly done, and we
pay for fertilizer, made ut the North (most!y)
that we know nothing about, more money per
acre than our old time farmer was willing to
give for Of land. Very few persons,
| when making their calculations as to what it
costs to to produce crop, put in all the
items They start out, as the land belongs to
them and is pail fer, rs they have the horse,
wagon, &C., all their own, these items should
not be put on the debtor side. Very few per-
sons ever think of the amount they are riSkimg,
when they put ON fertilizers.
| But let Inc get back to the fertilizer question.
There is only way Of accounting for this
combination Of tic manufacturers, AMI that is,
that they think the farmer can't get along with
out their assistance.
all the facts. Now know how hard it is to get
the freedman TO clear heavy woodland. l know
how much easier it is to cultivate thin, poor
land, and how much easier it is to haul out
few sacks of fertilizer and distribute it than to
make and haul out barn-yard manure. But is
Vt policy to give up so, and confess that we
can live without paying Massachusetts,, or New
Jersey or Connecticut to make our fertilizers
without depending upon Illinois or Indiana for
our corn and -four, Ohio for our bacon, Chicago
for our soap, Pennsylvania for farming i'm
plemcnts, and on? Are the farmers willing
to submit to be dictated to by the fertilizer men
| or will they set up for themselves and do with
out, sooner than submit | am gratfcd to see
move has been male in Georgia and some
parts Of this State 10 assert their rights. I'm
| fortunately very little reliance l am sorry to
say, can be placed on farmers resolutions, but
| would be glad to see them stand as firm on
this occasions as
| STOSEW ALL.