The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-12-23

with the boil Weevil in localities to
which there is a probability that 1t
may spread Whether or not the boil
weevil will eventually spread as far
eastward as the Carolinas, there is no
reason for our cotton growers to look
UPON its advance with undue uneasi-
ness. It has been thoroughly demon
strated that cotton production can be
maintained and even increased in spite
of the presence of the Weevll. IN
Texas the general experience has been
that production has geen greatly de-
creased for two or three years after
the appearance of the weeVil, until the
farmers had learned how to deal with
it. In the territory east of the Mis-
sissippi river we have the advantage
of the experience gained by the far
mers of Texas. The cultural methods
and the principles of seed selection
which have been found most success
full in the campaign against the wee
vii are identically the same methods
and principles which the experts OF
our State and federal agricultural or
ganizations advise for increasing the
production of cotton where the weeVll
does not exist. 1t follows that plan
tars in all Of. the territory free from
the insect should adopt these methods
at once. Then, if The weevil shall fin
ally spread to their fields, they will be
ready for it, and will maintain their
normal production without the two or
three years Of short crops that might
otherwise be encountered.
As a. result of the intelligent work
that has been carried on for the de-
velopment of Southern agriculture, we
have already reached the point where
the economic status of our farmers Isl
STRONGER than ever before. Cotton has
always been the great money crop OF
the South, but heretofore the farmer
has found it necessary to expend a
considerable part of the money re-
ceived for cotton in buying food sup
plies for his family and his livestock.
With the development of diversified
farming, he is raising a much greater
proportion of the supplies which he
needs, and consequently has more
money to expend for improved build
ings on his farm, for agricultural I'M
plements, fertilizers, and comforts and
luxuries for himself and his family.
H ave you thought, Mr.. Toastmaster,
what this means to the residents OF
the cities and towns of the South? 1t
means that the Southern manufacturer
of furniture, vehicles, agricuHura1ym 1ym-
plements, and other articles that are
used ON the farm or in the farmers
household has larger home market
for his products: It means increased
sales and more prompt payment for
the merchant. It means larger bank
deposits and constantly increasing
ability of Southern communities to|
finance public Improvements and new
industrial enterprises. It means more
homegrown meat, poultry, and dairy
products for your local markets., Fin
ally it means a constantly increasing
supply of cotton and cotton seed for
the Southern cotton mills and cotton
seed oil mills. This increased supply
will be necessary if cotton production
is to keep pace with the development
of the cotton mill and cotton seed
crushing industries. As; the popula-
ton of the world; increases there is a
corresponding increase i'll the demand
for cotton clothing Of all kinds, and
the field in which cotton mill products
are being used is constantly expand
ing. You have an Illustration of this
here at Newberry, where, 1 am told,
the entire product of one of your mills
is used in the manufacture of automo-
bile tops.
Just as cotton has been and will
continue to be the leading agricultur-
al product of the State, SOL believe
that the manufacture of cotton goods
and of cotton seed products will con-
'tinue to be important industries OF
Newberry and other manufacturing
centres in South Carolina. But, If
may be permitted to do so, Mr.. Toast
master, will suggest that they should
not monopolize your attention. On the
contrary, I believe that you should
endeavor to build up in Newberry the
widest possible diversif fcation OF in
dustries. By converting cotton into
yarn or cloth you retain at home the
profits that would, go to other COM