The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-03-28

MUST MAKE Vne1r Farms Self.SuS.
tanning.
Columbia, March 24.-F. ]. Won
president of the Columbia
and bank, said yesterday that he
had read with much interest the proc.
lamation issued by Gov. Beckett Of
North Carolina to the people of his
state. setting aside April as PLANT
ing Day."
wholly in support Of the procla-
nation made by Gov. Beckett, and as
a matter of information to the farm
ing population of the States of North
South Carolina, Georgia,
and Florida, wish to point out at this
time." Mr.. Won Engelken said. that
one Of the principal factors that will
be taken into consideration by the
board Of directors Of this bank in
passing upon applications for loans
to be made through the federal land
bank Of Columbia will be whether or
not the applying farmer Is sufficiently
progressive to supply himself from
his own farm with the food require
nents OF his family and of his live
stock.
''It certainly avails a farmer moth
ing IL he raises $4,000 worth of cot
ton and spends $2.760 Of that money
throughout the year for food and
feeds and other necessary expenses
What this bank will be principally in
terested In. in making its loans. viii
be in each case to ascertain how much
net revenue the borrowing farmer will
have left to him out OF his crop earn
ings from which he can repay his
loan.
'In the four States which this bank
will serve there is at the present time
no reasonable excuse that can be Of
ferei by any farmer for not supplying
himself and his family and his live
stock from his own farm with all
the food necessary for the entire
year. Throughout the greater por-
tion Of the year kitchen garden will
supply the family with fresh vege-
tables. For the balance of the year
a small canning plant will make any
surplus available. The city man to-
day considers good home cured meat
a luxury, and yet the great bulk of
our farmers are buying packing house
pork. These are conditions which alb
solutely must be changed.
"The State of South Carolina alone
spent outside of the State, In 1916.
almost $4,000. 600 for products that
can be raised as we'll in South Caro-
lima as elsewhere. In addition to this
$40 900. 900 was sent out Of the State
of South Carolina for horses ani
mules; and II horses and mules car
not be raised in South Carolina to-
day. evidence to that effect will be
highly appreciated IN the office Of the
Federal Land bank Of Columbia.
1T Is the prime function of this
bank to enable the farmers in the
district which it serves to become self.
independent, substantial,
It Is not our intention now.
nor will 1t be in the future, to en-
sending money into other
sections of the country to buy food
supplies which can be raised as read
lily at home.
Every farmer in this section of the
country should carefully read the
proclamation Of Gov. Beckett Of
North Carolina and should take coun-
sci with himself and with his county
demonstrator or his agricultural col
iege and lay aside a piece Of land
which will supply him with the neces-
stiles Of life and make him relatively
independent Of boil weevil, crop fall
ures or like conditions"
Gov. Biokett's proclamation follows:
Our forefathers established the
noble custom Of setting apart a day
IN autumn on which to return thank
TO the Lord Of the Harvest for having
Dressed them with the kindly fruit
of the EARTH
true Interpretation of the
thanksgkiving spirit comprehends all
reasonable efforts on our part TO in
sure celestial bounty. The conditions
which now comfort us appeal for ac-
tivity on our part with peculiar and
compelling power.
Il. The world war has dra wn %
the battle line millions of those who
In times of perce went forth To SOW.
CHINA and the United States are