Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-02-19
...$79,300,000

We will say that South Carolina
will make in 1908 approximately l.
zoo, 900 bales Of cotton, valued at SAC
per bale. This makes total Of $685.
100000. So we have S55,200,00
worth Of cotton money to pay $751;
500, 900 with. Deduct our cotton crop
from the Indebtedness and we are
still in debt 24,100,000. Farmers,
stop, consider and think and apply
the remedy. Organization, co-opera-
ton and diversification Of crops. Ev-
cry bale of cotton that has been sold
Of the 1908 crop has been sold below
its actual value $40 per bale. There
fore we have lost on the 1908 crop
$24,O00,000, which would have about
brought us out even and paid our in
debtedness. Why haven't we got the
$40 per bale we ought to have had?
Is it because conditions did not war
rant it? No. The cause Is that the
farmers who produced it did not CO.
operate and use good business judg-
ment in selling it, and also in produc-
ing it. Now, let us turn this old cow
around We have been feeding her
and the other fellow has been getting
the milk. Now, it is time we farmers
have the milk end Of her and make
the other fellow feed her, and condi-
tions will begin at once to change.
With conditions staring us in the face
In 10
greatest duties as farmers? 1t Is to
cut the acreage of cotton at least 80
per cent, plant in food crops, and also
cut fertilizer bills at least 35 per cent.
So this Is the first step to take in set
ting the price for the 1909 crop, and
if it is done it will not fail to make a
remunerative price for the grower.
How can any farmer prosper when he
buys corn for 81 per bushel while he
could raise it himself for 35 cents?
He buys bacon at 10 cents per pound
when he can grow it at from 3 to 5
cents per pound. Why should he
pay 1925 to $3.50 for horses and mules
when he can raise just as nice ones
for 800? And why should farmer
buy hay for $25 per ton when he can
raise it and put it in his barn for IS
per ton? Now, is there any business
or common sense in the above men,
north and borrow money for 4 per
cent, and bring it here and lend it to
you for per cent, how long would
he be in the banking business? If
your merchant bought shoes for s1.25
and sold them to you for 81, how long
would he be in the mercantile bus
mess? 1t would only be a short time
until he would fail. / want to urge
every farmer to educate himself to be
business man. There is nothing that
will respond more quickly than farm
| ing If business methods are applied to
it. 1 hope that every farmer will read
the report Of the country life commits
sion and adopt the great principles it
suggests. If you do success is assur-
ed. Let our watchword be to organ
ize into the Farmers Educational and
Cooperative Union Of America. If
we live up to her teaching agriculture
will be revolutionized in the south.
Just remember you, the farmer, can
make cotton sell for 81 cents, and you
can also make it sell for Is cents.
Which do you prefer? If you want
81 cents, do as you have been doing.
If you want Is cents make your home
disappearing and be happy. l
want you to remember that it all de-
pends upon you and do not blame the
other fellow. What is the remedy?
Cut cotton acreage 80 per cent, plant
food crops; cut fertilizer 35 per cent,
and you will win.
1 hope that each cotton belt state
will adopt these principles.
B. HARRIS,
President S. c. State Farmers Union.