The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1917-11-22
OPEN LETTER TO TIE FARMERS
By David r. Coker.

agricultural and financial situation Of
our State require serious thought by
all of our people, but especially by
our farmers.
The following are some of the more
prominent features requiring consid-
eration:
1. The abnormal farm profits rang
ing I estimate) at from four to ten
times the average in dffernt part Of
the State
2. The great 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 weevil, which may be expected
to cover the entire States within two
year and seriously affect cotton pro-
duction in 1919 or 1920.
5. The inadequate and congested
transportation facilities by both land
and water.
6. The obligation which rests upon
every citizen to Loyalty respond to
the needs of our government at war.
There is abuntant evidence that
many of our people are engaged in a
perfect orgy of money-spending.
was told of a large plantation upon
which the tenants had each made a
net profit of from $500 to $500,
and that all Of those tenants together
could probably not raise $500 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 high
priced corn and forage before they
will be Of much use. Premiums over
the cash price are being paid for au-
tomobiles. l know of $4,000 having
been offered for Ford car that had
been in service several months. Many
are buying automobiles who will very
shortly have no money for gasoline
and repairs.
The intelligent citizens of the
State can do no more patriotic service
ut the present juncturc than to vi
gorously preach against the extrava-
gancc which many of our people are
indu!ging in. They need TO be told
that this IS a tine which requires the
exercise Of sound business Judgment
as well as of united patriotic cooper
atlon with the government. They
need to be told that the man who now
mas IN hand enough money TO run his
next years crop and spends it unwise-
! ~ before next spring will show such
! poor business judgment that he will
! be, and should be, regarded as a very
. dangerous credit risk by the banker
and merchant
They should be told that it is wise
10 BUY leftlIIZcr$ rlgh. aWHy and have
them shipped out, as there is great
danger that the late buyer and the
credit buyer will not be able to pc,
any fertilizers or will not receive
them on time.
They need to Lave their attention
"Ircci"d 10 the fac. tnat in every
State which the boil wecviI has in
vaded cotton production has prompt
iy decreased, land values have fallen
and great distress and disorganiza-
ton have followed
They need to be told that the suc-
cess Of our agriculture, as well as he
success of our Nation i'm this great
war for human liberty, will be leo
pardzed if the farmer does not pro-
duce an ample supply of food The
production Of live stock-cspecially
hogs should be emphasized and it
should be explained that meat pro-
ducts 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 pur-