Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-10-20
FARMERS OF THE SOUTH.
SECRETARY WILSON TALKS ON THEIR
NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

Record, of Baltimore. We quote from
the interview as follows:
'tHow has the South been benefited
by the increases in farm products?"
''It has been benefited in proper
tion as other sections OF the country
What that proportion is cannot be up
proximated. 1t is best to look at gen
eral facts. The South produces crop:
peculiarly it's own-fruits, all 7arietie:
of vegetables, toi acco, rice, sugar, cot
ton, etc.-all of which are in demand
in their own, Western and Northern
markets, and some in foreign markets
Ii times are prosperous, ifthe prosper
ity of the people at large is augmented
by the prosperity Of the farmer, are
not the products OF any one section
say the SSouth, whether they are ne
cessities OF luxuries, more in demand
everywhere, and, therefore, are moi
their prices increased?"
"What are the most urgent needs
of the Southern farmer?"
"Oh! That is the question. All
farmers everywhere may be said te
need something. Everybody in every
business or trade may be said to neet
something, though he may be getting
along all right. There is room for i'm
provement in every walk OF life.
might answer your question in o gen
eral way, as so many have answered it.
1 have already spoken upon the needs
of a resuscitated soil. I know the
Southern people to be industrious.
But I nm going to find out and study
thoroughly their needs, and [ am go,
ing to satisfy those needs as far rs il
lies in my power. I am going all
through the South in October. I am
not going as high commissioner or
special ambassador, OF special envoy,
or anything of that style. shall not
go in q special car, viewing the coun-
try from car window while travelling
| at the rate OF forty or fifty miles an
hour. shall go rs plain American
citizen. want facts, and facts only.
T want to see the farmer in his shirt
sleeves, not the politician, with his
high-sounding and plausible theories.
can get all of these [ want right here
in Washington.
"What are the general needs Of the
Southern farmer as far as you have
had an opportunity to observe them?"
"New crops and lots Of them, more
diversified farming, more up-to-date
methods in some sections, more gen.
eral and liberal raising Of cattle for
market and for dairy products, and
sheep for mutton and wool.
Zone general need Of the Southwest
is closer relation and more rapid
communication with the European
markets, and with this object in view
I have already placed myselfir CORE
spondence with several ocean steamship
companies to induce them to establish
lines direct between the ports Of the
Gulf of Mexico and those of Europe,
the steamships to be provided with re-
frigerators, so that the fruits, vegeta-
bles, dairy products, poultry, eggs
and other perishable farm products can
be shipped expeditiously to all the
markets of Europe Just think of the
vast territory to be benefited by such
an enterprise-Southern Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, -ArkeEne= :
zr.=r--r-vu--r- 10 rr1v- v-uGn than
to the Atlantic seabcard. Why the
farmers of the Southwest will be nearer
European markets than their brethren
of the upper Mississippi valley.
"The Southern farmer should pay
special attention, and he is already be-
ginning to do SO, to more crops. At
least three-fourths of every farm should
be grass, should be pasturage, thus
affording that relief, that rest, which
the Southern farms needs most. Sheep
cen be raised advantageously because
they can Craze ell the yearround. Their
mutton should command good prices,
and their down should pc in demand
and could be marketed at greater
profit than heretofore. The projected
closer communication with European
markets should encourage dairy farm
ing in the Southwest upon a large
scale. Hogs should be raised only
incidentally TO other live stock. I'm
like COWS and sheep, they produce
nothing but their own meat for our
consumption. And ye! hcg-raising
should be conducted proiitably in the
South. Already the ham of the
Southern hog has gained prominence
worldwide. Wild fruits roots and
nuts are in such profusion in the
woods that the hog can be raised
cheaply, and that delicious flavor is
imported to his flesh as can be gained
nowhere else. The lard hogs should
not raised to any great extent. They
are not profitable in the South.
Speaking Tor myself, I might say
that [ have encouraged the raising OF
sugar beets in the South. T see that
s wealthy syndicate OF Virginians has
been formed at Richmond to grow
beets in their State. A factory to re-
fine the product is to be erected at
Richmond. I expect to see other
companies to conduct the same busi-
ness throughout the South. am
going to introduce the English walnut
in some sections of the South adapted
to it's growth. I shall also introduce
the Bermuda lily. We import this
product for decoration purposes from
Bermuda to the value Of $50, 600 every
year. Why shouldpot our Southern
farmers make this money? / shall
learn during my visit what and where
other new crops can he sdvantageously
grown.