The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-11-14
10 the People of South Carolina:

Now that Il has been definitely de-
tsrmined that only ons-third Of the
acreage Of cultivated land In South
Carolina car be planted under the law
on any farmers place. the agricul-
tural producers Of the State Of South
Carolina ara compelled to turn their
attention to crops other than cotton.
The situation as 20 the worlds supply
and demand Of ioodstuffs and feed
crops u such that the real money
crops for 1916 not only should but
must consist Of grain. 1t Is mani
fest that the Southern States have a
golden opportunity In the matter of
raising wheat and oats alone followed
by corn. and that the money for these
crops can be obtainc readily. II
Tor no other reason than that Of our
geographical location we can grow.
harvest and sell the crops some
months earlier than any other section
sf the world.
II the State Of South Carolina Is to
reap the harvest and take full advan-
tage Of the rare opportunity now Of
fered by world conditions. her people
must get their grain In the soil by or
before December 4. After that date
u viii be practically too late for any
thing TO be accomplished. Already
Very farm demonstration agent in
the state IL urging the people to
plant grain and plant 1t promptly. In
many sections the people have already
put In their grain. The demand for
ICED wheat and oats IL great.
For many weeks the United States
farm demonstration service and ex-
tension divisions Of Clemson college
and the State bureau of marketing
have been getting information as to
sources Of supply and prices. Many
farmers have not attempted to buy or
TO Arrange to buy until finai action by
the general assembly upon the meas
ttrs looking to the furnishing of seed.
The measure has failed to pass. and
Il may be necessary for many of the
banks and merchants to help men
who can not help themselves secure
ssSd..
One VI the great difficulties In the
way OF getting our people to plant
grain is their lack Of understanding
Of the new economic condition that
makes Il possible for grain In the
South to be AZ good O money crop as
any other crop and many because of
this lack Of knowledge Of the new
conditions brought about by the war
are not attempting to plant the grain
that they ought to plant for their
own financial betterment.
;, In View Of the general situation,
and OF the very short time In WHICH
. grsin crop can be put into the soil
and In Wow Of the fact that SO many
DO not know anything OF the methods
OF planting wheat. particularly. the
various forces that have been work.
ing for the upbuilding Of the agricul-
ture Of South Carolina. after con-
fsrrtng carefully upon the matter,
have determined that II Is vitality
essential. In order that our people
may Set the full benefits OF their op-
srations for the year 1915. to conduct
. whirlwind campaign throughout the
State. the idea being to furnish direct
to the people In mass meetings full
information in regard to seed and In
regard to the reparation Of the soil,
In regard to cultivation OF the crop.
In regard to the marketing and
financing Of the crop.
The State farm demonstration
agent and the commissioner of ayr,
culture will personally engage In the
work and the effort will be made to
obtain the assistance Of several of the
best known experts In the country.
In each county visited some leading
DehSos VIII oO 0Sntu IO
In the meetings and assure the people
~ to the attitude Of the banks to-
ward grain an against cotton.
We are endeavoring to perfect ar
rangements so as to cover from five to
six large meetings every day until the
state has been gone over We ex-
pect to have a grain elevator expert
accompany the party also to answer
any questions In regard to the locality
of elevators for the care OF the crop.
We are now at work upon the itin-
erary. which will generally follow the
main public highways Of the State
Into the various sections OF the state .
and We would prefer that the meet
lrss be held at points where the iarg-
eat number Of people can more read
|ly assemble.
In order tn assist us I'm making up