The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-02-19
BUILDING UP THE SOUTH.
The Excellent Work That The South.
ern Railway is Doing.

the railroads are giving much atten-
ton to the upbuilding of the South
Is evident to all who have given the
subject consideration. Necessarily,
the work Of a railroad company who
does not possess land grant must
be general in it's scope in order to
serve all the districts its lines repre-
sents The recent campaign of DR..
5. A. Knapp, of the Federal Govern
ment, which was made under the aus
pices of the Southern Railway Com.
pany, Is but one of the many moves
by that company looking to the bet
terment OF farm conditions in the
South. The lecture tour referred to
comprehends more than Is generally
supposed. Every Southern State
reached by the Southern Railway was
visited. and the several mastery,
practical talks made by DR.. Knapp,
will be far-reaching in their effect.
Many thousand farmers and others
In the States visited were reached
either directly or indirectly, through
the press, and thereby stimulated to
practice better methods Of farming.
Mr.. M. v. Richards, the Land and
Industrial Agent of the Southern
Railway, who suggested and organ
lied the tour, in discussing the pur-
poses and effects of the trip, said:
1.-THE Southern Railway Company
has for years endeavered to do it's
part In promoting the further de-
velopment Of the country along its
lines. It's policy is to treat all Sec
tions alike, cooperate with the people
In every country in their effort to
build up the country. The farming
sections have not been overlo 9ked d.
The Railway Company realizes the
value Of full development If ,he
rural districts In order to ootain the
best deveiOument of the towns ana
cities which serve the country"
Mr.. Richardson rightly advocates
the Importance Of the town people
and the country people standing close
together II the best results for all are
to be obtained, and this recent trip
tends to bring closer harmony be-
tween all classes. The merchant,
manufacturer, and farmer alike,
were interested in the talks made
during tn trip. Mr.. Richardson says
that while the towns have a power
ful attraction for the people on the
farms he believes that feeling is at a
minimum in the South, and that his
company. especially, has in view pro-
noting a sentiment among the peo-
pie to stick to the farm" He argues
that the South will again be the great
farm home section Of the United
States. "The South is the ideal large
and small farm home region; the
standard Of comfort and happiness
Is found to be higher and more gen.
eiai in the South than elsewhere on
account Of the attractive features Of
the rural home surroundings, In the
country. Only those who have had
to do with tn practical side Of pro-
noting development of the South
appreciate the obstacles which have
stood In the way Of advancing the
best interests of those already estab-
lished in the South and drawing
others to that section. We desire to
inculcate in the minds of every young
farmer in the South the idea that he
should buy a piece of land and in
telligently and industriously work
his own holdings; that he should
also be impressed with the impor-
tance Of cultivating we'll a small area
rather than farming poorly a large
place.
1.-THE avenues are numerous for
obtaining reliable information con-
cerning how to farm and make a
profit. so that unsuccessful farmers
In the South should be the rare ex-
captiov,