The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-11-11
THE ACREAGE REDUCTION LAW
How IL Will Affect South Carolina
Next Ycar.

How 1t Will Affect South Carolim,
Next Year.
Columbia, Nov. S.--The cotto,
acreage reduction law passed by tn,
extra session provides that not NOR,
than one-third Of the land planted IL
all crops shall be planted in cotton il
1919. the fall-sown grains to be take,
into consideration. Using the censu.
or the United states as a basis for the
consideration. 1t is evident that the
cotton crop will be reduced from 8;
to 40 per cent next year.
The last census report shows thai
about 100000 acres were planted II
cotton. There were a little over G..
100000 improved acres in the farm.
OF the State. Basing an estimate or
these figures the cotton acreage in
1915 will be about 100000 acres or
a reduction Of about sS3S,OOO acres.
The extra land in South Carolina
must be used for some other purpose
On the size Of the grain crop will
largely depend the size of the
cotton crop. The farmers must grow
foodstuffs. The cotton crcp under
normal conditions will not be more
than 100000 bales. The corn, wheat
rye. oats. vetch. clover. alfalfa and
other crops must be increased to meet
the deficit caused by the reduction in
cotton.
Reports received from every county
indicate that more grains are being
planted than ever before in the history
OF the State. The State department of
agriculture, Clemson College and the
demonstration workers are being be-
siesed with letters asking for infor-
nation as to where to purchase the
best seed. 1t is a hard matter to lind
good seed in the State.
Every effort will be made to have
the corn crop doubled next year. The
crop last year was about $4,000, 900
bushels. The farmers will be urged to
produce 100000 900 bushels. That
would save the State and strike off
the balance.
Canning factories are to be estab-
lished in many sections. One is form
ing in Aiken county. All Of the little
streams in the State should be used
to drive flour and grist mills. Many
OF the farmers are discussing the
question Of erecting grain elevators to
handle the crop.
The Pee Dee section Is possibly in
better condition than any other sec
ton of the State. The farmers have
the tobacco crop to fall back on. The
trucking section will be in good condi-
tion. Something. however. must be
done 10 help the farmers Of the Pied
mont section secure good seed. If the
grain Is planted 1t must be put into
the ground as soon as possible.
The farmers Of the State have truly
changed their occupation. They are
going into a new business and the
change Is going to he quick.
0Other States in the South have re-
fused to cut down the cotton acreage
and Of course the reduction in South
Carolina will have little effect on the
cotton market. Cotton, however, can
nor be looked upon as a money crop.
Every year South Carolina has been
sending away more than $6,OOO,O 900 to
the western markets for foodstuffs
There will be no money for this bill
next year. The farmers are for once
In their lives to be forced to "live
at home"
The general assembly refused to
make an appropriation Of $3.50 to
buy good seed for the farmers. They
passed a reduction law and left the
farmers to work out their own saliva
ton. No encouragement was given by
any law for the farmers to plant
grains or other foodstuffs.
The situation in South Carolina Is
going to be watched with interest dur
ing the next year by tho other States
Of the South. The farmers will be
making history. history thae will af-
feet in a commercial way the entire
South.