The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-12-15
Greater Sumter County,"

De DrOugnt ABOUT! by keeping coIu-
petent officials at the helm Of her
affairs? This will help considerably
may do all In their power and still
the rank and file may founder along.
There is an economic problem con-
fronting every man of this commu-
nifty (Sumter County,, of which
Sumter City is the centre. That is:
how may we the citizens of Sumter
County get more of this medium Of
exchange, called money? The Pied
mont region of this State has thou
sands of dollars distributed each
month as wages to it's cotton mill
hands; and every farmer and busi
ness man in that region has
chance to obtain portion of it, The
drainage of Sumter County, on the
account of it's being so level, is not
such as to invite the thickly settled
communities made necessary on the
account OF the mills. So let us look
to some other source a great deal
Of the timber has been taken off and
we need what is left right here at
home. No help from that score.
How about our farms?, Can their
production be increased? Right here
lies the secret of the Greater sum-
q ci1n
the roads, do we see field produc-
ing bale of cotton or forty bushels
of corn to the acre: and an adjoin-
ing field of the same kind of SOIL
lacking humus only, producing ten
to fifteen bushels of corn and a third
Of bale of cotton? 1t takes prac-
tically the same amount Of cultiva-
ton for each. Such differences
should not be, and as result many
of the so-called farmers are having
the farm and going to the city. The
lands are being bought up in large
farms, and are being cultivated un-
der the direction of an overseer.
These conditions tend to ruin society
In the country and make cit hard
for the few remaining farmers to
educate their children and keep up
their churches. An overseer works
for Immediate results and does not
plan improvements for years to come
The real owner of the land must be
interested to put into execution
plans for permanepaiimprovement.
If the production On the farms is
to be increased, then there must be
more interest and enthusiasm inject
ed into farming. How can this be
done? The United States Govern
| ment has taken a hand in the mat
ter and Is placing a Demonstration
Agent In almost every County in
South Carolina and other States OF
the South to awaken renewed in
terest In these worn out soils. The
Government knows that if the pro-
duction is increased that consump-
ton Will also be increased, thereby
increasing the revenue Of the Gov.
ernment. AS the profits of the farm
increase, the banking business
grows, the merchant sells highe,
class articles on which he justlN
realizes more profits, and every in.
dustry is stimulated thereby. There
Is work and great work fol
every man Of brains. Fortunately OIL
unfortunately Providence gives tC
every man the same amount of graz
matter, and according to his talents
every man should leave an accoun
OF his life. Now. would it not be &
business proposition on the part O.
the business men to do everythin.
III their power to stimulate an in
terest in scientific farming in,
sumter Bank led off I'm the righ
direction last year, Offering some vaf
liable prizes for the highest produc
ton of corn per acre, among he
patrons. Let others join I'm and SHOW
the Government that you are willin.
to cooperate. This Year we must
push the School Boys Contest; 70
I'm the youth Of the land is the hop,
of the country.
A number Of farmers are.still neg
lecting the problem Of procuring th'
best seed, and keeping 1t bred vi
by judiciously selecting il I'm tn
Fall OF the year. "A small amount o
money wisely spent along this line
might bring In handsome return
Sumter County needs more interes