The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-11-21

The campaign inaugurated by Com
missioner Of Agriculture Il. j. Wat.
son for the substituting of corn, oats
and wheat for cotton by the farmers
who had hitherto subsisted upon a
ope-crop system held its initial meet
ing In this county yesterday. The first
stop OF the party was at Rembert,
where n small but interested crowd
heard the speakers. The second stop
was at Sumter and the third meeting
Of the day was ut Mayesville, late in
the afternoon.
The party Is composed of Com1
missioner T.. j.. Watson Of South Caro-
lima; A. @. Smith, an export on grain
and hay from the United States de-
partment Of agriculture, who is now
engaged In special work in South
Carolina; Prof. w. III. Barton of Glenn
son College. a specialist of rotation of
crops and Mr.. Stratton of the Bur-
rell Engineering Company Of Chicago.
the expert Of grain elevators, who
furnishes the farmers with informa-
ton as TO cost and needs Of such ma
chinery. Prof. w. w. Long. head of
ehe Clemson College extension work
In South Carolina. was unable to leave
Clemson College and was not with the
party. much to the regret OF those
who had gathered to hear the speak
ers.
However, there was plenty of in
formation given out which will cause
the farmers to think twice before they
hold their land for the planting of
cotton next year and the only pity Of
the campaign Is that 1t came on such
short notice and more Of the farmers
could not have been present to hear
the excellent advice given. The crowds
were pitifully small at each place.
AT Rembert Prof. Barton told of
the necessity Of soil building by rota-
uon and not by the use OF CONNER
'ciaf fertilizers.i He stressed the i'm
portance Of this work to the farmer.
who wished to keep his land i'm good
condition. and showed how much val
ne II was to the land and In the grow
Ing OF crops. Commissioner Watson
spoke of the cotton situation. He
showed how at the present price of
cotton, which was below the cost of
production, the farmers were bound to
become bankrupt. unless they went
to some other crop which should prove
rnoney-making and at the same time
which should save the farmer from
spending his money for goods shipped
In from the north and west. goods
which could be grown at a cheaper
cost right here than they were grown
elsewheer. His was a 'live at home"
talk and those who heard him were
immensely impressed by his forceful
language and logical reasoning OF how
grain would benefit the farmers m,re
than cotton.
Many questions were asked of each
Of the speakers and the farmers show
ed their interest in the subject. One
OF the farmers OF this place told the
experts that wheat could be raised i'm
that section for he had planted two
acres the year previous and had raised
practically 35 bushels per acre. He
stated that he expected to plant one
hundred acres Of wheat this year. or
rather had already planted it.
: At Sumter the party did not arrive
until little late and there were oniy
about so persons to meet the speak
ers. Most of these were not farmers,
but professional and business ,ncn
who have farming US a side line.
MIR. Stratton. the elevator expert.
told Of the importance to the farmers
OF tho erection of a shucking machine
and a grain cleaner. The machinery
for these and an elevator of 10000
bushels capacity he said. his house
would erect for $500. exclusive Of
the cost OF the lot for the building. III
oats were to be sold. he advised the
placing OF another machine for beard
ing the oats. This would cost about
$500 more. He answered many ques-
tions as to the machinery and eleva-
tor In manner satisfactory to his
audience.
A. q. Smith made very plain, di-
'ect talk. giving the farmers great
deal of solid information in a few
moments and In an impressive way
lie said that MIR. .itratton and he had
not met until this morning and he had
learned with pleasure that Mr. STRAIT.
toms firm Is building an elevator In
MIR. Smiths old home town in illinois
Mr.. smith was reared in the corn belt
nf MI hn ts,I