The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-10-26
ROLL WEEVIL NEXT YEAR.
Governor Predicts Dreaded Pest Will
Soon Reach South Carolina.


or arouse our people unduly, but we
may as we'll face the solemn fact that
the boil iweevil will reach South Car
olina next year and the State will be
overrun within the next three years.
This prediction is made confidently
after careful review of the situa-
tion in other States" said Gov. Rich
ard /. Manning this morning. Gov
ernor Manning returned recently af-
ter a weeks trip through Alabama,
Mississippi and Louisiana as men,
ber of the commission from this State
to investigate the boil weevil situa-
ton and determine on the best means
to fight the pest.
That the coming of the Weevll Will
result in widespread changes in ECO
nomic conditions and in methods ond
products of agriculture is a certainty,
according to Governor Manning.
Fright now, before we: are affected
by the pest, we should begin to pre-
pare" said the governor. Economy,
cutting down the expenses, diversifi-
cation of next years crop should be
the programme of every farmer in the
State"
Referring to labor conditions in
States visited, the governor said that
we should see that our labor is pro-
tected. In a considerable part of the
area visited farms are lying waste
for the want of labor.
The matter of fighting the boil wee
vii will be given special attention in
the governors message to the legis-
lature. 'Everything cannot be ac-
complished by legislation,' the gov
ernor pointed out. Fright now the
people must everywhere be told just
what they may expect and be urged
and educated to meet conditions they
will be called on to face" Governor
Manning stated that he will discuss
the matter in all speeches which he
will make.
The commission is now preparing
q alengthy statement which will short
~ be issued to the press, giving in
detail it's findings. 1t is hoped to
give wide currency to this statement
30 that farmers throughout South
Carolina may be awakened and begin
preparation for changing their
methods to the demands of the new
situation.
The governors party did not spend
all it's time listening to academic dis
cussions in banquet halls, according
to Governor Manning, but made a
point of getting first hand informa-
ton from the farmers themselves.
Long automobile rides were made
through the country and converse
tions were held with the farmers and
their wives on the porches of their
homes and sometimes in their fields.
The governor stated that some of the
most practical suggestions received
were made by men in overalls In
some back woods district.
K zone farmer told us that for years
before the coming of the weevil, he
had raised nothing but cotton, no
grain or feed," said the governor. "A
brother from Texas wrote him of the
work of the weevil in that State and
from his information he practically
knew that the weevil would reach
his farm the next year. He changed
his agricultural methods for the next
year. He planted hay, beans, and
corn. With this he raised cattle and
hogs. Now his income from milk
each month amounts 60 $3.50 and he
has received good prices for ship
ments of hogs to the packing houses
Of Louisiana.
The lesson of that farmer the gov
ernor commends to the farmers of
this State. Soy beans bring a good
price at the cotton mills, being used
as the making of oil, said the COVER
nor. He suggested in addition the
raising of velvet beans and clover
wherever practicable. The building
of packing houses at Orangeburg and
Greenville was commended and the
governor pointed out that these
would afford good market for all
the hogs raised in this State. He al
so advised raising of horses and
mules where pasturage is available.
Governor Manning cited the I'M
stance of West Feliciana parish in
Louisiana as showing the extent of
the damage which the boil weevil
can do. This county, however, said
the governor, was an exceptional one
in point. of damage sustained. In
1904 the production of cotton in this
county was 22,497 bales. In 1910
tho nroduction WAS d21 ha1es The