The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-29
SOWING WHEAT IN II. SOUTH.
Witt, Proper Preparation and Fecti'-
iZing it Can be Made Profitable.

Southern farmers cannot be aroused
too fully to the Importance Of plant
ing a considerable area Of their farm
ing lands in wheat during the next
sixty days, particularly in all those
sections where our lands are favorable
to its growth and profitable develop
ment.
The price Of provisions and all kinds
Of commodities used on the farm are
continually advancing in price. Pro-
vision bills within the past twelve
months have almost been prOhibitory
to the farmer who has been heretofore
depending upon his cotton crop to pay
for supplies and all other costs for the
operating expenses OF his farm. The
prices for which we are forced to sell
our cotton is not on a parity with the
high prices which we have to pay for
the things that have been bought.
The margin Of difference has been too
heavy in favor Of the seller of such
commodities as we have been in the
habit of buying, reducing the margin
of profit on our money crop to about
the cost of production. We could bet
ter afford to run the all cotton system
on basis of cents for that staple
two years ago at the prices then pre-
yailing for supplies. than to buy pro-
visions at the present prices and sell
our cotton for cents. The crop Of
cotton this year has been short in
most sections Of the cotton belt, tax
ing into consideration especially the
shortness Of the staple. Ordinarily
farmers are quite busy with their cot
ton during the time that should be
taken up in preparing their lands for
wheat. This trouble, however, will
not be on US this fall, and nothing
short of Indifference will stand in the
way of being all" to plant goodly
area of land on every farm in this val
liable grain crop. The first question
of prime Importance to decide is
whether Or not the crop can be made
a profitable one by giving it that at
tention which is necessary to secure
the best results. The question Of an
extensive area is not important. A
few acres properly prepared and high
ly fertilized will turn out heavier
yield than double the number Of acres
on poorly prepared land with little or
no fertilizers. The general unfamil-
iarity Of our people with this crop
renders it necessary to discuss in de-
tail many of the important features
essential in making an effort to Sc
cure the best results. This l shall en-
deavor to cover as fully as possible IN
this article. There are many success
full wheat growers in the South annu-
ally turning out as heavy yields per
acre as is made on the best lands IN
the great wheat regions OF the west.
The possibilities Of our southern soils
to meet competition from any section
has been fully established not only by
experiments, but by hundreds of prac-
tical farmers in yearly yields OF the
different crops planted. No man
should ever become discouraged in
making an earnest, active effort to
provide the food crops necessary for
sustaining all the requirements Of his
family and farm animals. 1t is the
key note to successful farming in the
South where conditions not only ren-
der diversified farming possible, but
makes that system OF farming impeT-
ative. A full appreciation OF our mag
nifcient resources, and determina-
tion to take advantage Of them, will
within a few years make every such
farmer independent and secure for
him business which is not only pleas
ant. hut highly lucrative.