The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-24
THE WHEAT GROWERS
CONVENTION.
AN EXCELI.IiNT MOVEMENT.

MIR. ~. Ill. Jordan, OF Georgia, Makes
nm Instructive Spcecb-GoOd Advice
from Practical Wheat Farmers.
The wheat growers convention at
Greenwood was quite success In the
attendance of farmers and In the busi-
ness transacted. Fifteen or twenty
counties were represented by intel
ligent, progressiro men, and their ex-
changes OF experience in wheat grow
ing was OF special value to the conven-
tion, which was moro of an informal
conference than anything else. Three
Or four hu uudred farmers, mostly from
the surrounding country, were assem-
bled in the court house when the con-
vention Was opened. The meeting was
called to order by Mr.. S. Ii. ,McGhee,
editor Of the Greenwood Index, who
made an address of welcome, and the
exercises were opened with prayer by
Rev. w. II. McLees.
Mr.. McGhee said it was distin.
guished honor for him to call the irst
convention Of wheat growers ever as
sembled In South Carolina to order.
lie spoke OF the recent decline in cot
ton and said that the farmer yearly, at
planting time expected better prices,
but when harvest came it was the
same old tale of low prices and in
creased debts. He said the citizens OF
Greenwood realized the impor ance of
u diversity OF production, and seeing
an increased tendency on the part Of
many to plant wheat, and the consequ-
ent effect OF the building up Of inn
proved roller mills, and believing that
the planting of wheat is an important
step in the right direction, had called
the meeting which he hoped would he
a wheat convention in truth as well as
in name.
He WAS no farmer, but it didn't take
one skilled in the agricultural art to
recognize the important place the farm
er held among the people OF the world,
and 1t was evident to all that the farm
er at this time needed something,
and 1t was to the interest OF all classes
to see to 1t that he was given speedy
help.
He spoke OF the dependence OF the
city upon the farmer, though 1t was
necessary Tor perfecs prosperity for
country and city to work together.
The country needs the city to furnish
implements for the farmers use, as
we'll as q market for his products, just
as the city needs the diversified pro-
ducts OF the country. What helps one
helps the other. The country should
raise the produce, and the city should
manufacture all the farmer needs. He
hoped the time would soon como when
every mortgage would be raised from
the farmers homes and every debt
paid.
The mission Of the delegates vas an
important one. The eyes OF the State
are upon them, and II they did some
thing to help the condition of the coun-
try they would confer lasting beuefit
upon the State.
Mayor DuPre, on behalf OF the city,
welcomed the delegates and assured
them that they would find hearty
welcome in Greenwood.
Congressman A. @. Latimer was
asked to serve as temporary chairman,
and Mr.. N. A. Craig was selected as
secretary. Mr.. Latimer, In taking
charge OF the convention, asked that
the delegates coniine their talk to the
purposes of the convention, and that all
OF the speeches be short and to the
point. He know that the convention
could and would do much good, and
thanked the members for selecting
him as their chairman.
The experience meeting began at
once, and 1t was fruitful of good results
Mr. @. Z. Roberts, Of Greenwood, had
just sold two hundred bushels of W heat,
and he was requested to give his views.
Mr.. Roberts believes in deep plough.
ing in preparing lands for planting
wheat, and mixes fertilizers with his
cotton seed on lands made yield OF
253 bushels on II or 18 acres ; prefers
the blue stem wheat for this section
for planting has never been troubled
with rust always sOaks seeds OF wheat
In bluestOne preparation over night;
thinks 1t dangerous not to SOW as soon
until after Christmas. He sold his
wheat last year for one dollar to one
dollar and twenty-five cents per bushel
and this year for one dollar. He plants
cotton and wheat, and finds more
money in wheat than in cotton.
Mr.. Eldred S. Addison, OF Ninety
Six, said that che had been studying
small grain for twenty years, and was
q great advocate OF the crop. He
thought that the time would come, anG
the sooner the better, when not a pound
OF flour would be shipped into thi,
State, and when, on the other hand
South Carolina would ship flour outside
OF tho State limits. He made whea
very successfully on lands that ha(
been given up as worthless and which
Do6H run uO"H W Iuo HoCl Uo
lieved in stable manure on wheat
wheat stands oil kinds Of weather. HI
sowed ten bushels and made q crop o
three hundred and eight bushels
Could not advise planting on oottol
land, because the land could not vel
be prepared Ia time for the wheat crop
preferred planting after peas or OF
pasture land.
Ihe feature Of the afternoon sessio
was the address OF Mr.. G. Fl. Jordan,
mr.. y. ID. Jordan Ia man who
doing great work for Georgia farm
ers. He is himself, Georgia farmer
and member OF the Legislature
being chairman OF the committees o.
agriculture. He Is agricultural edito
OF tho Atlanta Journal aud Is authorit
upon questions pertaining TO farminp
At present his time Is fully Occupied T
organizing the farmers OF Georgia. 81
is holding institutes at the rate q
four week and is travelling from on
end of the State to the other. H
realizes the needs OF the Souther