The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1914-12-18
OAKLAND.

plans and worlds of free advice that
have come to the farmer through the
farm journals and newspapers con-
corning the most important solution
for them to follow in disposing of this
years cotton have failed to produce
the desired results as MAPPED out by
them, they have almost abandoned
this theme and now have jumped up
on the grain subject with all four of
their feet, pouring out their gorgeous
volumes of slush to the farmer as
how they must manage their farm
affairs, and how to get the most out
ct the gram that is raised in the
South. They tell US to raise more
hogs, cattle and sheep on the farm so
that this grain can be utilized on the
farm by them and then market our
hogs and cattle and realize a hand
some profit for them, etc. etc. Now
this is good common sense advice if
only few farmers in every county
would follow it, but let every farmer
begin this stock, cattle and hog rails
ing on their farms and see what the
outcome would be, that is, if they de-
pended on it as being their money
crop. 1t would mean as great a calam-
lty to the Southern farmer as the
downfall in the price of cotton has
been. Hog and hominy is all right
and the very thing for the farmer to
have at home but our market will
not permit us to raise such to any ex-
cess. If all the larger populated
counties in this State open up an eX-
change that would afford the farmer
ready market for cattle and hogs
then the matter will be entirely diff
erent for we would be in touch with
the large cities where the consump-
tlon of such is run on very extensive
scale. For instance, if the Union
county farmers had ready for the
market now, one thousand fatted beef
cattle what would they do with them?
They couldn't sell them in Union be-
cause the town is too small to con-
change there they could be bought
and shipped elsewhere. Those dem
onstrating agents and men of big sal
aries who represent our agricultural
department who probably never pull
ed hoe across a cotton row or ever
pulled a bell cord from morning till
night and never had any actual man
ual labor experience in the work il.
their lives and wouldn't have the oc"
cupation at any old price, are the ones
who point out these goals that are
just a little ahead and with a very
small effort it can be reached. One
of the gentlemen who was with Com
missioner Watson in Union some time
ago said that all the old poor land
along the roadside in this county
could be used very profitably by rails
ing turnips. For heavens sake! what
will they say for the farmer to raise
next, as a side line money crop. Why,
| can take a one-horse wagon bed OF
turnips to Union and if | could dis
pose of them the people of Union
wouldn't want to see another turnip
for the next three months. This gen
tleman undoubtedly runs goat farm
and winters his goats by feeding them
turnips. They also tell us to set out
more fruit trees and can more fruit
and vegetables for the market. This
canned fruit and vegetable business
In an extensive manner all over the
South would bring the price for the
product so low that it wouldn't pay
packing expenses. Our slow and ted
louS process of canning these goods
are not sufficient 10 cope with the
competition we have in the large
packing houses. | have canned fruit
for the market and find very little
profit in it.
The weather is fine for saving meat
now and very good supply of it has
| already been stored in smoke houses
for another year. Yesterday was hog
killing day in general around here
and number of very line ones were
butchered. | guess we will almost
forget the hard times as so many
good things are being prepared for
Christmas. Everybody seems to be
taking up the Christmas spirit and is
looking forward for a good time
Oakland Sunday school is making
preparations to have Christmas tree
fer the purpose of entertaining the
little folks one night during Christ
mas. | think it splendid idea FOR it
gets the small ones more interested in
Sunday school work.
Mr.. w. G.. Hancock OF Pacoiet spent
the week-en a. the home of Mr.. and
Mrs. J. D. Smith.
Mr.. J. l.. Taylor of White Plains
section, Cherokee county, was visi-
tor at the home of his brother, Mr.. W.
II. Taylor for the week END Neb.