The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-07-20
CHAIRMAN COkER URGES
CITIZENS TO BE PREPARED
Head of State Cornell of Defense Pre-.
diets Probable Money Surplus in
South CarOlina-Farmers Must
Plant Cow Peas.

WV ASs1Ss
David R. Coker of Hartsville, chair
man Of the State Defense Council, has
issued the following statement to the
people of South Carolina:
''The State Council of Defense
wishes to call attention to several fea-
tUres of the present and prospective
q situation which seem to call for
thoughtful consideration by all Of
the people CT the State, but especial
ly by the farmers.
A marked increase in price has re-
Gently taken place in fertilizer mate
rials and especially in ammoniates.
Tankage, cottonseei neal end dried
blood are already so high that it is
doubtful whether they can be profit
ably used as fertilizing materials. This
is because these materials are more
and more being used as food for live
stock, being substituted to some ex-
tent for corn, wheat bran and other
materials which can be used for hui
man food. Sulphate of ammonia,
which has been largely used for fer
tilizers, is almost entirely off of the
market, being required by the govern
ment for the manufacturer OF NUM-
tions. 1t is altogether probable that
next spring the average farmer will
be unable to buy any source of am
monia except nitrate of soda, which
is now nearing s10O per ton, with
possible further advance. There is no
certainty that even this material can
be obtained in adequate quantities as
it is also used largely in munitions Of
war.
Must Plant C0wpeas.
"The situation seems to call for the
planting of every acre of stubble land
and all vacant corn middles to cow
pears, which is the only available
legume for planting at this season.
Later on, September Is to October
Is, 1t will be advisable to plant cover
crops in all of the cotton.
"The farmer who understands the
situation now and takes all possible
steps to meet it in advance may be
able to carry On his operations next
year without contracting fertilizer
/. bills so heavy as to endanger his
profits. Tn farmer who takes no
thought for the morrow will be in a
very different position and may face
a situation next spring out of which
he will be unable to figure living.
eve trust the people Of the State
will carefully consider the above Sit
nation caused by the prospective
shortage and high prices Of fertilizer
and will take all possible steps to
lessen the threatened danger to our
agriculture.
Probable Money Surplus.
Another very difficult problem
seems to us to confront our people.
If the State this year produces an
average or even thIee-quarters Of an
average cotton and tobacco crop and
it sells at anywhere near present
prices, there will be, after debts are
paid, the greatest volume of surplus
money ever known in this State. Pro-
.tvious periods of unusual prosperity
have almost invariably been accom-
panied by speculation, extravagance
and large investments in new enter
prises. With the boil weevil on our
threshold and with the war present
ing a kaleidoscope of problems which
at any time may reverse the financial
outlook, our people should show a
wise conversatism this fall. If the
present outlook for a profitable bust
ness is realized it will present a great
and unusual opportunity to all farm
ers and business men to pay off ac-
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