The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-06-18


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Nothing will do more to increase
land values and the price of farm
products than growing population.
AS population grows, the consuming
capacity naturally increases, which
condition is met through the devel-
opment Of new land and the better
cultivation Of older farms. Increased
population gives stimulus to the en-
largement and creation Of new indus
tries, requiring additional labor, all
of which depends upon the farm for
subsistence. The more and the better
the farm products, the better every
body lives.
In some sections of the South there
seems to be an underlying sentiment
unfavorable to the introduction Of
new settlers. Students OF economy
who have given this subject the most
careful consideration find that such
feeling is based upon erroneous con-
ceptions Of the advantages Of new
people and new ideas. While the
South is developing the natural re-
sources and capabilities of the coun-
try to sustain much larger popula-
ton warrants the incoming Of many
more people who can find homes, the
occupancy and development Of which
will augment prosperity and improve
Southern conditions in every way.
More Immigration means increased
land values, the betterment of the
educational facilities, the improve
ment of public roads, the addition Of
markets, the building Of more and
better towns and the enlargement of
towns already in existence, with all
of the advantages common to con-
centration.
There is room in every county in
every state of the South for many
more home builders and producers,
and until the farmers and land own
ers now living there take a personal
interest in soliciting and locating
good class Of settlers in their neigh
berhoods the best results cannot be
attained.
The following questions are asked
and suggestions made with the hope
that evc"y progressive farmer and
Land owncr will heed the appeal:
|. Are there any lands in yoar
neighborhood unoccupied or not Civ
ing the owner the returns commensu-
rate with their possibilities9
=. Are yam making any effort to in
duce worthy and desirable home
makers to occupy these vacant lands9
IF not, did it ever occur to you that
you are among the number respon-
sible for the upbuilding Of the dis
trict in which you live, and that
probably this lack Of interest is one
of the causes why development in
your community has not been as rap
id as it should be9
Our attention is frequently called
I" the fact that in many parts of the
ITnited States, other than the South,
farm lands are selling from $75 to
$3.50 per acre, while in the South
good improved frams are for sale at
from 500 to $35 per acre. Everything
considered the South has the best and
cheapest lands in The United States.
One Of the principal reasons why the
contrast in values is so great, is lack
of immigration to the South. This
condition can be changed if all will
work with thai end in view.
How much more nonlented the
Southern farmer would be if he oc-
cupled 80 acres Of lnn2 worth $100
per acre, surrounded by farms under
high state Of cultivation, with fine
roads, qoaG SCHOOLS end larger mar
kets, thar by occupying a farm Of
320 acres, worth S25 per acre, one
half under cultivation: public roads
Of the country irfs,ior. and the
schools IF the tlist,:c: Inadequate. He
is the master of The first, but the 9th
er is r. m,.:rr.
There Is little doubt hu! What the
farms o. the South would b. much
better IF financially ard s'eially if
their n,l1;nc> were smaller. Some
land owners Of the South begin to
realize this. An instance Of this is
seen wherein a leading planter locat-
ed on the Southern Railway, propos-
es to give outright, to any reliable
white farmer, ten ceres of land, and
agrees to sell thirty acres additional,
provided tie purchaser finds he is