The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-09-29

sa
The suit against the state Board of
Education that has been instituted by
4, lAwson ID. ldsitol.. an attorney OF Co.
iumbia, In behalf Of some un-name.i
. clients. smells more Of politics than
Of sducatioral progress. There IA no
/. disputing the fact that there have
been more changes In school books
each time there has been an adoption
than appeared to be absolutely neces-
cary, but the last adoption Ia less
open 20 this criticism than any OF the
adoptions OF the preceding fifteen or
sWenty years. We believe that when
all the cards are on the table II will
bs revealed that this suit had Its ORR
Gin In politics and that the motiv., Ut
those behind Il Ii not to benefit the
public schools. but to manufacture q |
partisan political issue.
Nothing has been heard of the
Eritish expeditionary force In Meso.
potamia. which at last reports was
operating on the upper reaches of the
Tigris river. with Bagdad as a base.
for several months. When last heard |
from the British were driving the
Turks before them and the conquest
Of all that region from the Turks
ssemed practically assured. but the |
complete silence concerning the pro-
srsss Of this campaign for the pant
ssvsral months 10 cause for con-
lecture. Neither the British nor the |
Germans have given out any informa- |
tion from this region and students of |
the war are wondering what 10 hap |
pening In that important scene VI
operations.
flour cannot possibly sell for less
than twelve dollars q barrel at any
time within the next year. the food
administration having fixed the
minimum price Of wheat at s2.2o per
husheI. and tho probable price is
considerably higher than the mini
mum. With this condition confront
ins the country. the sopth should
make an effort to double Its wheat
acreage this fall and thus produce
at least half the fiour II will need for
home consumption. The Council OF
Defense recommends that an acre OF
+ wheat be planted for each plow on
each fnrm. az q minimum. and those
farmers who have land suitable for
wheat should plant more. In plant
ins wheat care should be taken to Sc
Iect GOOD land that II in high state
Of cultivation and Il should be well
prepared and the wheat should be
carefully seeded. Those who have
not heretofore planted wheat. or who
have not grown II successfully. will
find Il to their advantage to consult
Farm Demonstration Agent williams
and follow the directions that he will
NV ooutCT COuuty Chn e6SlIy
produce all the fiour that IN consumed
In the county. and this without reduc-
ing the yield of cotton. II the cotton
acreage In reduced one acre to the
piow to make room for the wheat
the yield Of cotton need not be affect
ed. for the yield per acre Of cotton
can be increased by better cultiva-
tion and heavier fertilization. Every
argument that was advanced last
rrring for an increase In food crops
applies now with greater force. To
escape a food shortage and the dis
tress incident to war conditions the
sotuh must grow It's own food. The
winter that In before us affords an
opportunity to produce sufficient
bread to fsed the South for a year.
and every farmer should do his share
TO make the South Independent OF the
West. The contention that there Ia
more money To be made on tobacco
or cotton does not apply to the pres
ont situation. Before this war Is
over the South will need food and we
can eat neither tobacco nor cotton.
nor can we eat the money that Ia
made on these crops. BY growing
wheat for our own needs We will pro-
tsct ourselves and at the same timo
help win the war by leaving the sur.