Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-03-13
APPEAL TO FARMERS,

Mr.. F.. ID. Smith, president and gen.
eral organizer of the Southern Cotton
association has given out the following
review Of the present situation as he
sees 1t:
After careful investigation as to
conditions in this state, / deem 1t to be
my duty to ask every farmer in the
state, now that the time has come to
prepare for another crop, to take no
chances, but so to lay his plans as to
provide for an abundant grain and for
age crop. By abundance l mean not
only enough to meet the necessary re-
quirements of his laborers and fam
lily, but a surplus Of it sufficient to
provide for the conversion Of a part OF
It into pork and beef and for the pur-
pose Of using this live stock as means
of permanently improving the planta-
ton, reducing the fertilizer bill and
the supply bill. The three last years OF
continued high priced cotton has put
US into a position where we can make
the experiment of an abundance Of food
and supply crops. l am particularly
anxious for the state to try one time
the experiment Of producing surplus
of these food supply crops.
I'm looking over the causes that have
higher priced cotton have found that
the main cause, and perhaps the only
cause-when reduced to its last analy-
sis-has been indebtedness Of the pro-
ducer to the banker and merchant; and
In investigating find that this indebt-
edness is practically all for those very
things which a surplus Of food crops
on the farm would eliminate. l once
thought that having control Of the price
of cotton we could afford to purchase
these things. l still think so; but l am
convinced that we will never be able
to control the price Of cotton until we
first cease to purchase these things
"As have called attention incident
ally in another article, the appalling
number Of liens recorded in this state
explains why so much cotton is put
upon the market at a price which the
seller knows Is not what he is entitled
to. but which necessity drives him to
take.
I'VE have made a wonderful fight
and have accomplished a wonderful
victory, and with practically the lien
debt eliminated and the fertilizer bill
largely decreased it means the COM
parative emancipation and absolute
control Of the cotton crop by the cotton
grower.
"The present outlook is for much
higher prices during the spring and
summer, and for that reason l fear
there will be Il tendency on the part OF
the cotton grower to load himself up
again with debt for fertilizer and sup
plies and then, in order to make pro-
vision to meet his debts to load him
self up with big cotton crop; which
means q burden too great for him to
bear and a consequent sacrifice OF
what otherwise would be his. So
without attempting to begin an organ
lied effect, l appeal to the common
sense, expert ence and wisdom of the
farmers and beg each and every one to
start this year with the determination
to provide fOr the liquidation at home
for our hay, grain. meat and fertilizer
bill. so that we will be in debt to no.
body for these things but ourselves
then next fall let all those who have
tried it meet at the fair grounds in Co.
lumbia, S. c.. and have an experience
meeting as to what our prospects are
for next year, based upon the con-
sciousness of having an abundance at
home and no pressing obligations to
force our cotton on the market at a
price less than that indicated.
Il have no doubt of our winning the
price for which we stand this year. In
no state do l hear of any inclination to
weaken: but having so much debt upon
us and being put to so many expedi-
ents to borrow money on our cotton in
order to meet our obligations. when
without this Indebtedness and obliga-
tions we could meet the issue, settle 1t
at our own good pleasure and be thor
oughlr independent of all parties. let
us try the eX1erment in the year 1908
in the state Of South Carolina. In my
visits and communications to the other
states | shall insist upon the same
thing"