The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-11-17

'e' ceotc fcNuircs serious tnOught by
all OF our people. but especially by
our farmers.
The following are some of the more
prominent features requiring consid-
Grafton:
4. The abnormal farm profits
ranging Q 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; be
ing about 60 per cent. higher than
last year.
y. The scarcity and high price of
food products. This condition will
certainly last as long as the war.
4. The presence in our State Of
the boil wecvil, which may be ex-
pected TO cover the entire State with
I'm two years and seriously affect cot
ton production in 1919 or 1920.
s. The inadequate and congestei 4
transportation facilities by both land
and water.
q. The obligation which rests up
on every citizen to Loyalty respond to
the needs OF our government az war.
There Is abundant evidence that
many OF our people are engaged i'm a
perfect orgy OF money spending.
was told today OF a large plant
upon which the tenants had each
made a net profit OF from s5OO.lO to
N.bOO.OO. and that all of those ten.
ants together could probably no.
raise $4,000 in cash today.
Thousands OF mules are being ship
ped into the state. and many are be-
ing sold TO farmers who can get
along without them. All will have to
be fed for four months or more on
nigh-priced corn and forage before
they win be OF much use. Premiums
over the cash price are being paid
fof automobiles. know of $500 hav.
ing been offered for n 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 no more patriotic service
at the present juncture than to Wig
orously preach against the extrava-
gancs which many OF our people are
indulging in. They need to be told
that this Is time which requires the
exercise OF sound business judgment
as we'll as OF united patriotic CO.
operation with the government. They
need to be told that the man who has
In hand enough money to run his
next years crop and spends II un-
wisely before next spring will show
such poor business judgment that he
will he. and should be. regarded as a
very dangerous credit risk by the
banker and merchant.
They should be told that 1t Is wise
10 buy fertilizers right away AMI have
them shipped out. as there is great
danger that the late buyer and TN H,
credit buyer will not be able TO get
any fertilizers or will not receive
them on time.
They need TO have their attentior
directed To the fact that I'm every state
which the boil wcevil has invaded cot.
ton production has promptly decreas-
ed. land values have fallen and grca
distress and dlsorganlzation have fol
lowed.
They need To- be told that the sue
cess OF our agriculture. as well as tn,
success Of our Nation In this grea
war for human liberty. will be jeo?
ardized II the farmer does not produc
an ample supply OF food The pro
duction OF live stock-especiall
hogs-should be emphasized and
should he explained that meat pro
ducts and fats will remain high an
profitable long after the end OF tn
war.
And last. but not least. they shoul
nc urged TO respond Loyalty 20 IN
calls OF the government for the pun
chase of Liberty Bonds and for th
liberal support of the Red Cross an
4. NJ G.. A.. the sole purpos,
which organizations is TO minister
the safety and to the physical an
'ioral welfare OF our Loys ut III
front. The unusual prosperity Of OF
state leaves us no excuse to do le.
than our part when each call for p'
triotic service and sacrifice comes
May rot the Council of Defense an