The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-11-20
ELF SUSTAINING AGRICUITURE.
{. Bradford Knapp Advises Cooper
alton of Bankers, Business Men and
Farmers.

Ihe good results obtained i'm the
)uth through Increased attention to
ipporting the people upon the land
1ould not be lost on account of
hanged economic conditions. The
nited effort of all the agricultural and
usiness forces of the South last year
rought the South nearer to safe
} armins' and a "Self-sustaining ag-
-culture" than ever before in the his
ory OF the last forty years.
With the price OF cotton going up,
re YOU. Mr.. Banker, Mr.. Business
Ian and MIR. Farmer. going back to
he old way? The history of the ag-
iculture OF the South has been
history of lean years and fat years.
che farmer has lived in distress be-
'ause short crops and high prices are
almost invariably followed by big
srops and low prices. IL we could
produce our own living 1t would
steady the whole system and keep the
boat from rocking. The entire agri-
gamble. There has been no safety in
Il. II has not produced a rich and
prosperous farming people because of
the uncertainty, although cotton is
: one OF the greatest of cash crops.
With the rise i'm the price of cotton
are you going TO play safe or are you
going TO take a chance? Now Is the
time to decide. III you gamble on the
price OF cotton you take n chance; If
you follow the program outlined by all
OF the agricultural forces last fall, you
VIII take no chance. Here is the pro-
gram in a nutshell. the title of which
Is. safe Farming"
First. Produce n home garden for
every family on the farm, the year
round. paying special attention to a
plot Of Irish or sweet potatoes sufH-
tient to supply the family with food
of this character. Where feasible,
have a patch of sorghum or other cane
To produce syrup for the family.
Second. Produce the corn neces-
sary to support all of the people on
( BOlute safety.
Third. Produce the necessary
oats and other small grain to supple
mont the corn as food. Pay attention
To winter grazing.
Fourth. Produce hay and forage
1from some forage crop. sufficient to
supply all of the livestock on the farm
Use legumes such as clover, cowpeas.
velvet besnas soy beans and alfalfa
for tho production OF hay and to en-
rich the soil with nitrogen and hu-
mus.
Fifth. Produce the meat necessary
Ito supply the people. through in
creased attention to poultry and hogs.
especially. Plan to gradually increase
the number OF cattle and other live
stock so as TO have sufficient num-
ber 10 consume the waste products Of
the farm and make the waste lands
J productive.
Sixth. After all Of these things
have been amply provided for, pro-
duce cotton for tho market.
IL this course is pursued the farm
or will prosper whether cotton be is
cents or 6 cents. III cotton is cents
= the farmer will be able to live If it is
is cents there will be more profit in
his cotton crop, in the hong run, than
there would be IL he neglected the liv-
ing.
Mr.. Business Man and Mr.. Farmer,
do you want the South to prosper per-
manently? IL so, lend your influence
To this great problem of safe Farm
ing." a campaign Will he carried on
IN tho various States during the win
ter and spring centering around the
various lines OF this program. Lend
your aid and assistance to us in this
campaign as you did last year.
\ Mr.. Banker and Mr.. Business Man.
you want TO pursue safe business
met DDS! Won't you lend your in
huence TO making the farming meth
DDS OF the South safe business
proposition The Extension forces i'm
every state. conducted by co-opera-
: ton between your state College of
Agriculture and the United States De-
partment OF Agriculture, and with
County Agents in most counties, arc
working on this great problem all OF
the time. Can't we have your help?
q Write tho Extension Division Of your
; Agricultural College. or this Depart
ment. and bulletins will be sent you
covering all the subjects mentioned i'm
this letter. and the plan Of work will
be explained.