The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-12-13
SOUTHERN POSSIBILITIES.


II is not eStravagant to say that
the South has possibilities in many
directions far exceeding anything
nov claimed or even dreamed Of by
lis people, As illustrating this in
one direction only we may say that
the south can feed and elothe the
world aud would soon be doing this
in q great degree il il only first
learned 10 iced and olothe its own
people and prove its own resources,
says The rradesmSn,
That this would not be a very
difficult task 10 accomplish it is
only necessary 10 refer to the fact
that the cotton crop OF the South is
now the largest single factor that
enters into the clothing material al
the world and We, only one-siyth Of
that crop is manufactured in the
South, the remaining hye-Sixlhs
being manufactured elsewhere, much
of which returns 10 be worn BY this
people.
Ii southern mills made all the
grades that are used in wearing ap-
parel by the people of this section
they would find some Of these 50
much more profitable than what
they are now making that q new
impetus would be given the cotton
mill industry here and these mills
would find it jus, as easy to sell
these products with many millions
added therefrom to the productive
wealth Of the South.
Again, it is largely from Texas
that beef is obtained for export to
other countries, but there are few
cities in the South that are supplied
from local sources in beef or other
meats and yet there is no portion Of
this section in which cattle, hogs
and sheep cAnnot be easily raised
and in much larger quantities than
is required for local demands
In many localities cotton is raised
and sold 10 procure meats and other
provisions and this process is kept
up year after year until nothing
else seems to be considered,
1t has been stated publicly thta
more than one Of the agricultural
colleges Of the South were buying
hay and other farm products from
the North and West, while il is
from these institutions that the
Young men Of the South are ex-
peeted to be taught in a practical
way how they can earn q living on
a farm, With such an example be-
fore them it is not likely they will
ever adopt the farm for their future
lisewark.
And so it is in every other field a
ppducton II We should SET our
selves to the task ot supplying home
demands from home resources We
would find when this bad been ac-
oompliSbed that we were in position
to practically supply he world be-
side.
With 100000 acres Of idle
farm lands that will prodace every
food and forage crop known 10 man
and that loo with less Of labor and
expense than these crops can be pro
daeed elsewhere ii does seem that
nothing in The food or clothing line
need ever De brought into the South,
but on the contrary, that there
should be such a surplus in these
lines rs would give this section SUI
premacy owe all ether portions Of
the country.
But we need 10 cultivate more 4
spirit Of self.reliance, self-snsienSrce
and making the most Il those bless
ings with which nature has 30 rich
Y endowed this section, and with
such a spirit the slamhering posi-
hlities thSt are now idle and use-
jess would be imhuea with life and
activity, such as would add untold
wealth 70 the South.