The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-11-14
INTERESTING TO FARMERS.
A schem, OF NJ. e. M. Avsrill to d yer
sify the Crops.

Editors the Freeman: Knowing the
interest which the newspapers on line
Of our road have always taken In the
development OF the country and the
welfare of our people / enclose you q
copy of circular letter which we have
mailed to the farmers, on line Of the
Charleston, Sumter and Northern Rail.
road and hope you will give US the as.
sistance of your journal to excite inter.
est In this important subject.
Our people have always planted cot.
ton and until within the last few years
have planted 1t to the exclusion of all
other crops. A review Of the cotton
market for the past two years shows a
gradual but steady decline in the price
of this staple until today we fod 1t
bringing far less than the actual cost
of production.
This state of affairs cannot long con.
tinue and the farmer must look for
some other product which will prove
more profitable. Not only is the farm.
er interested, but every merchant, every
newspaper, every railroad and In fact
every business interest Is vitally con.
cerned, for the success or failure Ut the
farmer depend upon the prosperity or
poverty of the country.
We shall have present al this meet
ing men who have been engaged In
watermelon raising and will endeavor
to give those who attend sll the infor-
nation which can be desired. We
hope that there will be large attend.
ance and feel sure that it. will result In
in good to all. Yours truly,
E. M. AvERILLI Gen. Frt.Agent.
SUMTER, S. c., October 20. 1894.
To the Farmers on Line Of tue Char
lesion, Sumter and Northern Railroad
Gentlemen: Realiztog the necessity
for dlvefsifying the planting In this
State, and feeling that some concerted
action on the part of the farmers and
railroads III necessary, we invite all
farmers and merchants on line of the
Charleston, Sumter and Northern Bail.
road interested in the welfare Of this
section of the State to meet In Sumter
on Wednesday, November 81, for a full
discussion of this important subject.
Reduced rates of one fare for the round
trip will be given for this occasion.
Parties desiring to attend will pur.
chase tickets from agents to Sumter at
regular rates but all who attend the
meeting will be provided with certih-
Gates which will entitle holder to free
transportation for the return trip.
Our soil is peculiarly adapted to the
production OF WatermelOns and pota-
toes, and when We consider the wonder.
full results attained in BarnWell and
Aiken counties from the cultivation of
watermelons, and realize that where
less than ten years ago not melon was
raised for shipment, they now ship
over 5000 cars during the m )nths of
July and August, thus putting In cir
culation over 100000 at a time Of the
year when ready money Is IN the great.
est demand, we should not hesitate to
take some action which will result IN
their cultivation.
The meeting will be held in the court
house at IL o'clock noon, and 1t Is ear
nestly desired that as many as possible
attend. The railroad is in earnest, and
We can demonstrate to you that with
proper effort on your part diversifying
your products Can be successfully &C.
compl shed. Yours truly,
E. M. AvERILL,
General Freight agent.