Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-08-09
WAIIIIhIIM. $. o.:
DAllIsS ON CROP CONDITIONS,
Marketing, WaIelOusing and the
New IOw-tnte Ellnking.

Sumter, Aug. G.----In statement
in Il Sumter newspaper yesterday T..
w. Dabbs, OF Salem, Black River,
former president Of the state Farm
crS' Union and a well known farmer
Of this county. estimates the damage
to cotton and corn at SO per cent,
and calls on the farmers to ware
house their cotton OH the first iEdi-
cation Of weakness i'm the market.
borrow what they need on it, and
Mold until the market is stronger
and better price can be secured.
Mr.. Dabbs says. in part:
"Ycsterday had the opportunity
to sec the crops from Salem to Harts-
vile, and to make two side trips.
also talked with some OF the leading
farmers in Ice and Darlington
counties. My observation on this
trip and conversations confirm my
own opinion that crops Of corn and
cotton are damaged SO per cent.
Sam Mccall told me that Flor
cncc cotton Is damaged GO per cent.
80. Il. Cocker told ne that from in
formation gathered by his cotton ex-
pert and Bright Williamson, who is
ono Of the most careful mon know,
in all OF his statements, both Of
whom had made extensive surveys,
that the cotton crop of Darlington
is cut onc-halr. lie said Mr.. Will
hanson reported IS to 20 per cent
completely lost and the other dam
age makes up the SO per cent. Mr..
Coker estimates the damage on his
corn, which is the least injured Of
any have seen. at IS per cent We
Shuckcd back the ears and it is easy
to see where the loss is, not count
ing the rot that is almost sure to
follow
ellis cotton crop will need the best
OF conditions from now on to make
twO-thirdS of 4 crop He thinks the
damage east or the mississippi river
is so great that prices are bound to
he better, If farmers will market iu-
diciously. He advises that on the
first indication OF weakness. farm
ers warehouse their cotton and bor-
row money on IL to meet their debts.
lie thinks the farmers ought TO com
pei the hanks to join the Federal re-
serve system. and explained that cot
ton receipts arc giving the banks
their best paper and the paper on
which they get their cheapest
money: that banks get their cotton
notes discounted ut Richmond at ~
per cent.
"Whcn the Farmers Union was
stronger it began on tho first Friday
in August Of each year Il fight to Sc
cure the cooperation OF the farmers
and bankers and business men to
protect the price OF cotton. II seems
to me that this Is All opportune time
for us to get together and once more
make the Farmers Union a power in
the business lifo OF the South. Every
business man and banker in the
county is interested in bringing re-
lie! out of the fearful crop disaster.
Thc only way is to urge the farmers
to get together and with the banks
use the Federal reserve banks to the
limit. viii they do it? viii the
farmers organize? The lists arc
closed in politics 50 that it cannot be
charged that this letter has any po-
litical Significance.
'ls it not probable that if all the
banks were in 4 position to use the
reserve system al first hand. and our
people were organized. that every
farmer could hold his cotton Off
weak and declining market? think
so. and il is worth trying.
'l'nlcsS something Tangible is done
to make this crop bring all il is
worth, booster trips will not do much
good, and | call upon the boosters to
join me in the slogan. Living prices
for all the farmer has to sell And
then work to make that come true.
Only in this way, Mr.. Booster. can
You sell the goods on your shelves
at a profit"