The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1916-11-29
AN ATTENTIVE HEAR.
ING ON BOIL \VHEEy|L
Large Number of Farmers
Here Wednesday.
GOVERNOR MANNING
AMONG SPEAKERS

10y. IL. !. Manning, Dr. W. W. Long
and Prof. McLain Talk in Plain and
Unmistakable Terms on Damage
which May Result from the WeeyiI.
Gov. Richard |. Manning, Dr.. w. w.
Long and Mr.. McLain spoke before a
large and attentive body of farmers in
the Court House Wednesday, the meet,
ing having been called by Farm
Demonstrator Moore. The meeting was
presided over by Mr. Moore. Among
those in attendance were many from
adjoining counties. Sen. Wharton and
Representatives Richey ..ad Boozer
were also present.
The purpose of the meeting was to
inform the farmers of Laurens and
adjoining counties as to what they
may expect from the inroads of the
Doll weevil in case no preparation Is
made for his coming Gov. Manning
and Or. Long were asked to be present
10 give their views on the situation and
to tell of their trip through the boil
weevil section during the early fall.
l. Gov. Manning made the first address
of the day. The governor spoke in
earnest tones, indicating by his words
and manner how serious he considered
the situation confronting the farmers
OF this state should they fail to make
due preparation to ward off the devas-
tating effects of the boil weevil. The
governor introduced his remarks with
a reference to his duties and obliga-
tons as governor of the state. He
spoke Of the value Of education and
training, pointing out that the man
ufacturers Of other sections were pro
iltlhg by the labor of the southern
farmer because the former had rcduc-
cd their work to busincsslike and
scientific basis. He pointed out the.
losses to this state by reason OF the
failure to grow necessities at home
/ we are an extravagant and wasteful
people" he said, stating that there is
not single county even in North
Carolina where its people grow their
own food supply.
! Taking up the subject of the boil
weeVil, the governor gave some i'm
pressions Of his visit to Louisiana and
other states as a member of the boil
weevil commission. At firt, he aid.
the states appeared to have suffered a
disaster, when the cotton crop fell
from over million bales in Louisiana.
to 233,OO0. In one county the crop
fell from $4,000 to 431 bales. Business
was demoraliZed and credit appeared
10 take wings. In some sections, es-
pecially where the farms were in large
tracts and the landlord did not live on
1t, the land grew up in weeds because
the renters, especially the negroes,
could not stand the losses and left In
another place he visited, the merchants
and farmers got together and determ-
ined to stick to each other. The mer-,
chants continued to make advances
and helped the farmers to buy pigs.
cattie' SEED, etc., and encouraged a.
diversified farming They grew grain.
peas, wheat, potatoes, stock, etc. They
organized a creamery and shipped
their butter to the cities AT first this
section went through period of priva-
ton and want but the people finally
emerged in better shape than they had
been before the boil weevil attacked
them. While they still grew cotton on
small scale, they diversified their
other crops and lived at home. The
banks, he said, and the merchants in