Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-11-10
MONEY IN FARMING.

There was a long period In this
country when the farmers were very
much discouraged. That was when
they had to sell their cotton for less
than the cost Of production, and when
they once got in debt there was no
way to get out again. But that has
been changed somewhat within the
past few years. Daylight began to
dawn last year, and this year the sun
Of prosperity Is still higher. Every
farmer who worked hard last year, and
who had no bad luck, has been reason
ably prosperous, especially, as compar-
ed with the dark period beginning In
the early nineties, and there is abund-
ant reason to hope that next year
promises still further prosperity. The
following interesting story which the
Yorkville correspondent Of the News
and Courier sent that paper a few
days ago seems to furnish very good
illustration of the situation:
Occasionally stories come out of the
west as to how farmers receive cash
equivalent to the value of their farms
for single crop Of wheat or corn, and
as a result Of reading these stories 1t
is probable that many thousands OF
farmers living in other sections OF the
country have been induced to sell out
and 60 to the states where the phe-
nomenal results were attained.
Yesterday your correspondent learned
Of a somewhat similar experience by
York county farmer this year, the only
difference being that his crop was not
wheat or corn, but cotton, and has de-
cided to tell the story for the informa-
ton Of any who may not already know
that no section Of the United States
surpasses South Carolina in opportu-
mites for the energetic, intelligent
farmer.
For more than twenty-five years,
Mr.. G.. Scott Cobb cultivated land
which he rented from Mr.. w. S. VIII
kerson, near Hickory Grove, In this
county. He always made good crops
of corn, cotton, wheat, potatoes, sor-
ghum, ETC.. and raised all the pork nee
essary for himself and family and usu-
ally, after paying the rent and meeting
other obligations, had cash balance
to lay aside.
Last year what was considered very
ordinary farm in the neighborhood
was offered for sale. There was some
thing over 800 acres in the tract and
the owner agreed to divide it into three
parts. Although Mr.. Cobb had been
on Mr.. Wilkinson's place for many
years and was most valuable tenant,
the latter felt that so good a man and
citizen should be a land owner and
not tenant, and, after much persua
sion, succeeded in inducing Cobb to
purchase one Of three parts Of the
tract above referred to.
There were about 145 acres and the
price paid was $3.50 the acre. Cobb
and his family moved to the farm at
the beginning Of the present year. All
the family are workers and they are
able to cultivate a two-horse crop.
The cotton crop this year was twenty
large bales, averaging 500 pounds each,
and was sold for $1,000, and the seed
is worth s125, making total Of SLIPS,
while the cost of the farm was ST.
0S7.50.
In addition to the cotton, 300 bushels
of corn, fine crop of sorghum, an
abundance of potatoes, meat, forage,
and in fact everything necessary for
the material comfort Of man and beast
on a farm was raised, the actual cash
value of the whole being considerably
over $1,500.
It is needless to say that Mr.. Cobb
is pleased with his venture, especially
in view of the fact that since he bought
his farm one year ago, 1t has actually
doubled in value. as he has recently
been offered SIS the acre for 1t, but 1t
Is not for sale.