The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1917-11-22
OPEN LETTER TO
THE FARMERS.
BY D r COKER, CHAIRMAN OF S c
COUNCIL OF DEFENSE AND FED
ERAL FOOD ADMINISTRATOR.

the agricultural and financial sltua-
ton of our State requires serious
thought by all Of our people, but
especially by our farmers.
The following are some of the
more prominent features requiring
consideration:
/. The abnormal farm profits
rangingQ estimate) at from four to
ten times the average in different
parts of the State.
,. The great scarcity and high
prices of fertilizers, present prices
being about 70 per cent higher than
last year.
3. The scarcity and high price of
food products. This condition will
certainly last as long as the war.
/. The presence in our State of
the boil weevil, which may be ex.
pected to cover the entire State
within two years and seriously af-
feet cotton production in 1919 or
1920.
5. The inadequate and congested
transportation facilities by both
land and water.
s. The obligation which rests up.
on every citizen to Loyalty respond
to the needs of our government at
war.
There is abundant evidence that
many of our people are engaged in
q pefect orgy of money spending.
was told today of a large plantation
upon which the tenants had each
made net profit of from $5O0.OO
to sl5OO.00, and that all of those
tenants together could probably not
raise $500. 90 in cash today.
Thousands of mules are being
shipped into the State, and many
are oeing sold to farmers who can
GET along without them. All will
have to be fed for four months or
more on high priced corn and forage
before they will be of much use.
Premiums over the. cash price are
being paid for automobiles. | know
of $500. 90 having been offered for
Ford car that had been in service
several months. Many are buying
automobiles who will very shortly
have no money to pay for gasoline
and repairs.
The intelligent citizens of the State
can do more patriotic service at the
present juncture than to vigorously
preach against the extravaganza
which many of our people are in.
dulging in. They need to be told
that this is 8 time which requires
the exercise of sound business judg.
ment az well as of united patriotic
cooperation with the government.
They need to be told that the man
who now has in hand enough money
to run his next years crop and
spends it unwisely before then will
show such poor judgment that he
will be. and should be. regarded as
a very dangerous credit risk By the
banker and merchant.
They should be told that it is wise
to buy fertilizers right away and
have them shipped out, as there is
grea. danger that the late buyer
and the credit buyer will not be
able to set any fertilizers or will
not receive them on time.
They need to have their attention
directed to the fact that in every
State which the boil weevil has in
vade1 cotton production has prompt
" decreased, land values have fallen
and great distress and disorganiza'
ton have followed.
They need to be told that the sue
cess Of our agriculture as well as
the success of our nation in this
great war for human liberty, will
be jeopardized if the farmer does
not produce an ample supply OF
food. The production of live stock
especially hogs should be empha'
sized and it should be explained that
meat products and fats will remain
high and profitable long after the
end of the war.
And last, but not least. they
should be urged to respond loyalty
to the calls of the government for
the purchase Of Liberty Bonds and
for the liberal support of the Red
Cross and Y NC A, the sole pur'
pose Of which organizations is to
minister to the safety and to the
physical and moral welfare of our
boys at the front. The unusual
prosperity of our State leaves us nc
excuse to do less than our part
when each call for patriotic service
and sacrifice comes.