The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-01-27
Two Millions in Mules.

To the Editor of the NeDS and Courier!
Everybody who is at all posted is read J
to admit that the farmers of South Caro-
lima have made several very advantageous
business reforms during the past five
wears, and as result are in better condi-
ton today than at any time since the
war.
/ refer to the fact that for twenty five
wears previous to 1892 it was the almost
universal custom Of the farmers to buy
everything used on the farm, from an
axehandle to a mule, and to pay slime
prices" for the same. Since that year
they have been raising ali the corn re-
CURED for home consumption, and also
their pork, and have been exercising
greater economy in regard to the
management of their business than ever
before.
There is no doubt that the buying oi
hog and hominy from the West were hea-
w drains, and the farmer is to be con-
grstulated on his being able to stop the
leak.
It strikes me that there are still several
very EXPENSIVE leaks that could be stop
ped as etfectually and with as beneficial
results as the others, If those who are es-
pecially interested willonly use the means
at hand. will only mention two at this
time.
The first to which I desire to refer is the
wholesale purchase of farm stock every
year. T am informed that not less than
600 mules are sold to the farmers of York
County annually, and that the average
price paid is not less than 500 per head
Thus it will be seen that 100000 are paid
each year by this one county for stock
with which to raise cotton, corn, etc.
Some one may claim that the estimate is
tco large, and in order to be entirely safe
will cut it in half, and say that 800 are
bought, and am cofident that that many
are sold in Yorkville alone, which would
cut he purchase price down to $4,000.
Now suppose all the other counties in the
State average as many, and believe they
will, not less than 100000 are paid by
the farmers of the State annually for
mules and horses!
Some one inquiries, "What are you
going to do about it?" I reply that in
stead of buying mules the proper thing
for each farmer to do is to raise them.
While have no practical experience, I
believe that mule can be raised on q
South Carolina farm from the time it is
weaned from its dam to the age Of 1-2
wears, when it should be ready to 60 to
work, at an expense of less than $50. a
farmer told me few days ago that 1t die
not cost any more to raise a mule tnar q
COW, and heard Of another saying that
he could and had raised good, se-viceable
mules TO the work age at a total expense
of S25. It seems to me that the matter is
worthy of careful investigation. I be-
lieve South Carolina can raise as fine and
as good mules as Kentucky, Tennessee,
Indiana or Missouri, and at as small ex-
pense as they can be reared in those
States, and if she can, is it good business
sense for her to pay those States for do
ing the work? I hope, Mr.. Editor, you
will take this matter up and push it with
your accustomed zeal, energy and intelli-
gence, and believe that if you do in less
than five years the amount of money to
60 out of the State annually for farm ami
mails will not exceed one-half the present
sum.
The second heavy drain to which de-
sire to call attention is the amount that is
paid out annually by the farmers for
-four. I have no data at hand on which
to make even an approximate estimate,
but am sure that the amount paid for
-four by the farmers of the State cannot
be less than s., 100000. Ofcourse I know
the opinion is abroad in the land that
wheat cannot be raised as successfully in
South Carolina as in the Dakotas, and the
opinion is in measure correct, but not
wittstanding this the farmers in Oconee,
Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Union,
York, Lancaster, Chesterfield, Marlboro,
Chester, Laursns, Anderson, Newberry,
Saluda and Edsetield, and possibly 9TH
ers, can, if they will only try, raise
great deal more than they have been do
ing, and at present prices they will keep
SIS in the State for every four bushels that
they raise, which will, in the course of
few years, make wonderful difference
in the financial condition Of the counties
named, There are scores of farmers in
York County who have not bought bar
rel of flour in ten years. Ihey raise
wheat. Why could others not do like
wise?
Several years ago the farmers of this
section gave as an excuse for not raising
wheat that it was impossible to get it
ground in satisfactory manner, as there
were no mills here that could turn out
product that even compared to the lowest
grades of flour made by the Western
mills. This prop has been knocked from
under them. There are three patent pro-
cess roller mills in successful operation
in York County to-day, and they manu-
facture -four that is the equal of the
Western product in every respect. There
are also several mills in tanburg and
Greenville counties. The farmers can
rest assured that if they will create de-
mand for up.to-date mills by raising
wheat the want will be supplied. No
Yorkville, January 90, 1887.