The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-12-02
.BELSER ON REDUCED ACREAGE
HOPES LE,GISLATURE WILL NOT
REPEAL THE COTTON BILL.
Against tho Boil NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Not Inspired by the European War
Solely, Sumter Man Says.
News and Courier.


acreage reduction legislation at the
special session of the legislature, was
a visitor in Charleston yesterday, and
while here expressed the very earnest
hope that the act which was passed
by the special session relating to this
subject should not he repealed at the
regular session in January. Already
there has been some agitation with
this as it's subject. Mr.. Belser be-
iieves that If the act is allowed to
stand and the farmers will give it a
fair trial they will be convinced Of it's
wisdo
1T was not the crisis in cotton re-
sulting from the war which was the
sole influence in bringing about this
legislation" said Mr.. Belser. "Bulle-
tins issued by the United States de-
partment of agriculture showed the
steady approach of the boil weevil to-
wards this State at the rate Of about
forty to fifty miles year. If we are
to escape the demoralized conditions
and depreciation of real estate values
which have followed the arrival Of the
boil weevil in Alabama and Missis-
sippi, it is necessary that we should
prepare for his coming by learning to
produce and market other crops be-
sides cotton. BY observing the pro-
visions Of the acreage reduction law
passed at the special session Of 1914
the farmers will necessarily have to
grow small grain, corn and hay as
money crops.
1T will also be necessary for our
market centres to equip themselves to
handle these crops, both to supply
such local demand as comes from our
cities and arrange for export Of the
surplus. Cattle raising will also have
to be added to utilize some Of the sur
plus grain and hay. When we look
around the United Sttaes and find the
sections that depend entirely on grain,
hay and cattle raising, the most pros
porous agricultural sections Of the
nation, it is folly to say that the peo-
pie Of the South cannot make a living
raising these crops when they can
raise as much grain and hay as the
most favored western sections, and can
Craze cattle for much longer periods
and house them at much less expense
than in the colder States Of the mid
die west.
THE act in effect requiring the
farmer to plant two acres in grain or
other crops for every acre planted in
cotton was not made to apply to 1915
alone, but it was the hope of the pro-
ponents Of the measure that it at least
would be allowed to remain in force
until the arrival Of the boil weevil in
this territory. If allowed to stand un-
til that time the wisdom of the act
will be patent to all. Furthermore
it has been clearly shown that under
the threc-year rotation system, which
was contemplated, it would be neces-
sary for tho farmers to adopt in or
der to comply with the act, cotton
can be produced more cheaply than
at present, and it is not unrcasona-
bic to suppose that 100000 acres
which would be allowed under the
provisions of the act will within that
period be SO improved by the system
OF rotation as to produce the million
and n quarter to million and a half
bales which are now produced by this
State.
"Cder such conditions Of farming
the advent of the boil weevil would
not be disastrous. since where inten-
sivc cult, alton is practiced cotton can
still be grown profitably even when
the boil weevil is present, as shown by
the yields Of Texas for the past year.
1t will be more difficult, however to
keep the boil weevil down once he
SSto " ''OutI SuIollIlu lllun mas Dccl
the case in the open country Of Tex
as. where the climate is much dricr
and where the proportion Of woods
and forests is much smaller.
"Of course, to make the system as
outlined by the Act Of the legislature
a success a new market system will
have to be developed in South Caro-
lima. Inasmuch as the boil weevil is
making its way here steadily, it is not
inadvisable to make a little before
hand preparation. Grain elevators
Will have to be erected and facilities
for the handling Of hay and cattle will
have to be devised. 1t is unreasona bic
to expect that men with money to
invest will put their money into such
enterprises unless they know there is
going to be surplus grain to handle
and so steady demand for them. 1t