The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-11-21

her sister Southern States were strug-
cling under the "carpet-bag rule
Ce0rcia's illustrious SON, Ben Hill.
wrote a series Of letters headed as
above, which served tc arouse orr
fclloW-citizens to combine and to as
sfrt their rights to govern our own
states. Gov we farmers who are be-
irg Systematically robbed of the fruit
of our labors, need just such an APP
peal and what we need most is some
Of that courage hat our f~Orefathers
had to assert and to fight for our just
dues. We combined labor, fertilizer
and scientific skill in making this cot
Ton crop, only to see ourselves robbed
Of its value. We rejoice in the wide
spread dissatisfaction hat is abroad
in our land, in regard to the absolute
characterization they are Offering US
for our cotton and cotton seed. Nov
we want to call your attention to sew
eral matters which are very pertinent
at this present moment.
/. We hear some farmers are so
foolish as to their best interest, as to
predict that cotton will go lower.
Never be guilty of this speech again.
ANY mar can predict evil, and say,
Il told you So You know cotton is
selling for less tina its worth. Then,
why either sell or predict lower
prices RESENT SUCIt prices ana ISnI
every known influence that you know
that tends to produce them. We may
not be able to destroy the cotton ex-
changes in a day or to take the owe
away from Wall Street and Liverpool
to set our prices. But fight them all
the time, and never predict hat they
will onQue We have the means in
our hands to whip the fight this time
if we will only use them, though it
may take years to do it. If the
nme ever consulted the best i'm
terest Of the South they would wipe
out all the exchanges, but we need not
look for any help except from within
our own borders.
2. The New York exchange is all
the time sending out advice to sell
cotton will still seek a lower level"
thus making all who take their advice
q traitor to our best interest and a
helper towards lower price. Dc not
pay any attention to their advice, but
insist that our cotton is worth SO
much, and that we must have it. Let
all your influence be In the right di-
Tection.
s. Do not sell your cotton. You
can borrow mOney On it. The Farm
ers' Union has arranged for $1,000
600 to be divided out in each cotton
State to help all who are unable to
hold.
~ iot oSlA oo1 oSSA 4 ) "
can get above 80 cents per ushel:
put them under grain; feed them to
your cattle. Use them in place of
EuanO.
5. Cut your guano bills in half an
other year.
{. Do not buy any more mules to
grow cotton. Put the lane in grain.
grass or pasture.
Z. Let's cut the area in half, that we
have been planting to cotton. Dc not
plant for over an 100000 bale rop
they tell us about the worlds needs
Let them come to US with a good price
and then we can always deliver them
all they will pay a fair price for. Here
we are placed in the absurd predica-
mont of getting Onlv half price for a
CrOD because we will make 100000
bales more cotton. For an increase of
ten per cent we are cut in the price
50 per cent, which is nothing else but
robbery and there is no use calling
1t by any nilder name.
8. Do not give up or lose any vim or
courage, but only learn to divert your
efforts into the proper channels. We
hear on all sides such comments as:
Il think I'll quit farming" Il cannot
get the labor to gather my cotton
Il cannot control labor" etc. Farm
ing would neither be q worthy or
great calling if we did not have strug-
giles to make and obstacles to over
come. We do not want to see too
many following the avocation of farm
ing. But we do want to see those
who choose it for their life's work to
get uDon q higher plane. Aur fight
ing blood is aroused. We want farm
ers who are willing to fight2to sub
Que the earth and make her yield 100
told; fight to learn the best methods
IN agriculture: fight to conquer the
labor problems and problems that
Voc nv ILL =. - 49, Iar Il
vert their effort into diversified farm
Ing along all lines, and fight until they
can secure just as much remuneration
Tor u calling as the same Skill and
brains receives in any other occupa-
hon. What is the use of having a
monopoly and then allowing the mid
die-man to rob us out OF all the prom
in growing it? We trust all of OuI
readers gave careful attention to Mr.
dutchiSOn's piece in our last issue,