The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-21
IMPROVE RURAL CONDITIONS.
SMALLER FARMS AND MORE
FARM OWNERS THE SOLU.
TION.
The Subdivision Of Large Plantations
and Sale on Easy Terms to Tenants,
Combined with a System of Local
Rural Credits Advocated as the
First Step I'm General Welfare Cam.
paign.
Mr.. Editor:

The recent Welfare Conference
held in Columbia should quicken the
thought of all patriotic Carolinians
and fix their attention on existing con-
ditions--with a view to improving
them. I trust that the proposed Con-
ference to be held in August will fix
its attention on few salient questions
and endeavor to solve them rather
than discuss and work on a consider
able number Of subjects, SO that COM
bined effort will be concentrated and
made effective.
One Of the most important ques-
tions Is, in my judgment, how to in
crease the number Of home and farm
owners in our rural districts. 1 need
not describe conditions as they exist
today. The observant, the thoughtful
citizen is familiar with them.
II we should devise some system of
rural credit, so that an increased
number of our white citizens can be-
come owners Of farms; If large tracts
OF land owned by one person, firm or
corporation could be divided into a
number Of small tracts and sold on
easy terms and long time to those
who are now white tenants. and who
would become tillers Of the land and
occupants Of 1t. long step would have
been taken toward the solution of
many of our rural problems
Let the white tenant have a chance
to buy and own his own farm and
home. As a tenant he is uncertain as
to his future--has no incentive to in
crease his comforts because he may
at any time be forced by circumstances
to move to some other farm and leave
behind him the comforts and con-
veniences and improvements he has
labored to secure. In most cases
where the tenant improves the land
ne cultivates, 1t means that sooner or
later he pays an increased rent for
the land he has worked and improved.
Let him have a chance to buy his land
and live under his own vine and fig
tree-help him to improve his farm
ing methods-build up his soil, in
crease his production, add comfort for
his family to his home life, and You
VIII soon find him in that frame of
mind and attitude TO his fellow man
which will make him a better citizen.
With the pinch Of poverty tighten
ed and the subject properly presented
to him. he will have an increasing de-
sire to educate his children and take
better position among his neigh
oors. AS he realizes his greater com.
Iorts, sees his farm develop into a pay
ing business proposition. he takes
courage. His ideals grow higher
his interest In community matters in
creases--hope fills his heart and an
ambition is stirred In him to do
things and this feeling finds outlet in
his joining with his neighbors to i'm
prove the schools, churches, roads,
ETC., and there appears that sympa-
thetic touch of the elbow with his
neighbors that makes them work to-
gether for better farming, better
schools and churches and with an in
centive to improve his opportunities.
The community thus situated would
incite patrons to establish larger con-
solidated schools within easy walking
distance OF the pupils. Churches
would be built to meet the wants OF
these communities, and thus improve
their religious and moral sentiment.
and all questions affecting community
Interests would be the more easilv
solved. The more thickly settled com.
munities could and would be more
easily advised and instructed on
school, sanitary, religious and social
lines. and in all those ways which
would make life more easy, more
comfortable and more attractive,
With smaller farms In close proximi-
nifty 1t would be easier to carry on ex-
tension and demonstration work
among the farmers and thus improve
their system Of agriculture, making
II more intensive and diversified-in-
creasing the number and kind OF
crops, increasing the yield from the
soil. and developing n better system
OF marketing crops. thus increasing
the general production and welfare.
The advantages that would result
from the division of large tracts of
land into smaller farms owned by
those cultivating them Is too evident
70 need further explanation, but the
question comes, how Is this to be
done? / would say that the first step
Is to have some system OF land reg.
iafE fEat l..s<