The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-10-30
PLANT CORN AND WHEAT. IN
1UV STEAD OF COTTON.
EXCELSIOR, N. c., Oct. l9, '88.

sFLA . L-srr s--t- LA-E Es - -EE
EXCELSIOR, N. c., Oct. 19, '8S.
EDITOR FARMER:-It has been some
time since we asked space in your col
umns, and I therefore concluded to
write you to-day and let your readers
know that we still lived. Like all
other Alliances we have out-lived the
predictions of our opposers who con-
soled themselves with the idea that the
Alliance would soon dwindle away
and be forgotten. But contrary to
this prophecy we are still increasing in
numbers and in sentiment. Farmers
are becoming more and more awake
to the necessity of our movement and
are beginning to e that <our only
hope of prosperity is in and through
the State Business Agency, aided by
thrift and economy at home. land
allow me space just here for 9 few
thoughts which are Of vital impor-
lance to the farmer. No small amount
of the hard times may be attributed
to bad management on the part OF
farmers as will be readily seen BY any
one who will stop and look into the
matter. In sections well adapted to
raising corn and sweet potatoes are
largely appropriated to cotton (Which
is not a successful CROP and to- pro.
ducing ~turpentine, on the 1fsay SO
that cotton and turpentine are money
products; by the production of which
farmers are obliged to buy their
edibles from the lowest, and volun-
tarily put themselves into the hands of
spectators to be dealt with, al their
scared ~conciences will suggest. Here
in the little township of w accamaw
where there is undoubted facilities for
raising every pound of meat con-
sumed, there has been this season
bought by the citizens of the township
according to the bills of the merchants
IN amount approximating forty-thou-
sand pounds for which they paid
eleven cents per pound, thus showing
that four thousand and four hun.
dred dollars has been paid for
meat in this one township, where
every pound might be raised, and this
money kept at home. Now which is
the cheapest, to raisssmoney on cotton
at three. cents per pound to buy meat
at from ten to hirteencents per pound,
ON land that will produce not mor
than half a bale per acre, or raise your
own meat on lands that will make
from thirty to fifty bushels corn to the
acre, and sweet potatoes almost grow
ing naturally? This is something
for farmers of all sections to give their
serious attention. z 80
There is another matter l wish to
speak of which is important to farm
ers. You buy corn in summer from
the stores; pay one dollar per bushel,
cash.; at, gathering time many farmers
barter their new corr at the stores for
eighty cents per bushel in trade at a
profit not less than thirty per cent,
which puts your orn about fifty-six
cents a bushel, you are thus paying
for inferior corn one dollar per bushel,
with good corn at ffty-six cents per
bushel or giving nearly two bushels
for one. You are doing all the haul
ing, both ways.
In view of these facts, which cannot
be disputed, is it any wonder that
farmers are poor? 1t is high time
that we should begin to look into these
matters, and for the future look more
to our own personal interest.
With best wishes for The Pro
aREssIvE FARMER, l am, =
Fraternally yours,
w. S. MILLIKEN, Cor.