The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-01-16

dlC oCiNS So SNtiGl"''J ooON' ~
with very little trouble or inconven-
ience send the children daily to
school in the city aud still retain for
them the healthful and good influence
of home on the farm.
The painful fact IS becoming evident
of the tendency of depopulatlon OF
the country districts. and the gather
ing of the people therefrom in the
cities. Such condition of affairs
cannot result pro6tably to the people
at large, for the farming industries
are essential to our existence. Sup
ply the country with good roads,
and thereby put the farmers within
easy touch of the cities, and we shall
not only have them satisfied to stay in
the country, but that will become the
most desirable place of residence.
Let us consider where the profit
would come from such reform as is
here advised. In certain states
where improved roads have been
built experiments have been perfomed
and it was shown by means OF
thermometers that a force which
could draw certain load over
common dirt road in good condition
was capable of drawing four times as
much over we'll kept macadam or
other road equally good. Suppose
we take for example the roads OF
South Carolina. ard consider what it
costs the farmers of this State to
transport their cotton from their farms
to market place.
The roads of South Carolina ae1
dition only half of the year. When
not in good condition we will suppose
that only two thirds Of full load can
be hauled, which is very safe est-
mate. From experiments which have
been tried and from the testimony Of
many who have had the advantage Of
using the improved roads, we fnd
that team could draw four times as
much on first class road as they are
now able to pull over our sandy and
heavy highways, even when they are
in their best condition. Thus a
horse which now earns fifty cents a
day would earn on a good road two
dollars day and be worth four times
as much money to his owner.
If we take even the very low esti-
mate of each horse being able to pull
twice as much on improved roads;
let us see what that amounts to, IN
transporting the cotton crop alone
for one y~ar.
1t has been estimated that it costs
on an average about twenty five cents
per ton per mile for transportation on
wagon roads, aud one half cent per
ton-mlle by rail. This comparison
shows how very important it is to re-
duce the cost of transportation before
we reach the railroad, for this is the
largest expense since the farmers are
goaen eight, ten, or twelve miles from
the nearest railroad station.
The cotton crop of South Carolina
for the year 1890 was 746,79S bales.
Taking the average weight per bale
at 500 pounds. :his would amount to
1876, ,6991 tons of cotton to be re-
moved tlom the farm to the market
place or railroad station. We will
assume that the average distance
which the cotton must be carried on
wagons is six miles. and that the
cost. Of transporting one ton one
mile be twenty-five cents. BY per.
forming the necessary operations we
find that it costs to transport the
cotton crop of South Carolina IN 1890
just $3.50, ,O4925 on our poor roads
If we had good roads and grant that
twice as much could be hauled over
them by the same number Of horses.
which experience has proved to be
very low estimate, the cost of trans
portation would be half as much
thereby saving more than Sl4&
OOO.O in one year from the cotton
crop alone.
Those who are suffering from the
low price of cotton have within their
grasp means of reducing the cost
of this staple thousands of dollars.
This is only one of the many ways
in W.T. III the improved road system
is financial benefit. Consider the
cost of transporting all other
products of the farm. as well as the
fertilizers aud other things which
have to be taken there. The wear
and tea. on vehicles, aud horse-fesh
is also worth consideration.
The value of property would be
greatly increased by the Institution
of good road system. Farm lands
which are now of only nominal
value, and fnd no sale on the market