The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-11-26
Land IS WASTED
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
SHOWS Up Big LOSSES

SHOWS Up Big LOSSES
WANTS BETTER FARMING
In Speaking Before Meeting Of Farm
ers Secretary Garrison Gives id-
vice Which if Needed, VIII Lead to
Better Cultivation Of the Land by
Its Tillers.
Less than 40 per cent. of the culti-
vated land in the United States is rea-
sonably well cultivated and less than
II per cent. is yielding maximum re-
turns. Secretary Houston Of the de-
partmeDt Of agriculture told the Ma
tional Grance Of Patrons Of Hus-
bandry in 47th annual convention at
Manchester, n. H., that the best fig
ures he could procure led to such a
conclusion and that only in a very
few localities had conditions been de-
veloped to insure maximum returns.
Secretary Houston touched upon
rural credits, marketing methods, ex-
tention Of agricultural education and
the cost of living. He spoke of ma
nipuiations Of those middlemen who
perform no useful or necessary SER
rice, as one Of the causes Of soaring
prices. "I do not entertain the
thought for second that we have ap-
proximated the limit of our output
from the soil," said he. eve have
not even reached the end Of the pio-
neering stage. We have been so bent
on building up great and artificial de-
vice that we have had little time to
think Of the very foundation Of our
industrial existence.
eve had better frankly face the
fact that we are relatively inefficient,
take stock Of our shortcomings and
earnestly seek the remedy. That we
have practically reached the stage
where we have ceased to be an ex-
porting nation Of food products and
are becoming dependent on foreign
nations for the necessaries Of life, is
q sad commentary upon our use Of
the opportunities bestowed upon u.s."
Speaking Of what the agricultural
department hopes to do to solve the
problem Of the increasing cost Of liv-
ing Secretary Houston expressed the
opinion that "the existing chaos and
consequent wastes. result from faults
on the part Of the farmer in the grow
ing and handling Of his products;
from the machinery Of distribution
including physical equipment and
physical handling; from the manipu-
lation Of those middlemen who per-
form no useful and necessary ser
vice; and from ignorance on the part
Of the consumer and Of the producer
Of the character of the product which
Is placed upon the market"
Secretary Houston urged co-ordi-
nation Of federal and State agricul-
tural agencies as essential to success,
deplored the jealousy which, he de-
clared, exists in many States between
State agricultural commissions and
the agricultural colleges, and decried
duplication OF work in many locali-
ties.
In the field Of marketing, he de-
clared, there was danger that pres
sure would be brought to bear to
force the department to act every
where before it was intelligently pre-
pared to act anywhere. He explain
ed that his department, which started
last summer to make careful study
Of the marketing problem, was study
ing it from every angle
There was the same danger in re-
gard to the question Of rural credits.
'T am not impressed" he said. with
the wisdom and Justice Of proposals
that would take the money of all the
people through bonds or other de-
vices and lend it to the farmers or to
any other class at rate Of interest
lower than the economic conditions
would normally REQUIRE and st a rate
Of interest lower than that at which
other classes are securing their capi-
tai. This would be LEGISLATION Of a
particularly odious tyne. and no new
excursions in this direction would be
palatable when we are engaged in the
gigantic task Of restoring the simple
rule of equity"
Before the problems of rural cred
It and marketing. the secretary de-
clared the individual farmer acting
alone was HELPLESS. Nothing less
than concerted action would suffice.
he said. and the "same business sense
and the same organizing genius
which have placed this nation in the
front rank OF industry must be in
voIved in asriculture".
The problem Of the individual
farmer. said the secretary. had re-
ceivei scant systematic attention and
the problem Of rural life as whole
bad until recentlv been practically
IGNORED. From every section OF the
country. he declared. came the story
Of "increasing tenancy and absentee
ownership. Of soils denleted and ex-
plotted. Of inadenuate business meth
DDS. Of chaotic marketing and distri-
button Of inferior roads. Of lack Of
snnervision Of public health and san
itation. Of isolated and ilI-organized
social activities and Of inferior intel
1ectual provision" He added. how
ever. that he was not of the pessi-
mists and expressed his belief that
out Of the chaos would come order,