Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-04-23
The Public
Safety Value

To Farmers. Bankers and Business
Men in the South:
For nearly three years have done
my best to warn you to prepare for
the present emergency. For years we
have tried to encourage diversifcation
! in the South as basis for greater SAT
ETY., both agricultural and economic.
Since the war began in Europe we
have urged Safe Farming. When pric-
es were low you did well and made
great progress. When cotton went to
eighteen cents and over you made large
/ profits because of your progress in
! Safe Farming, but some were tempted
/ to go back to cotton. In common with
many other men, have tried to warn
you of the danger Cotton has not
been high but has only increased in
somewhat less proportion than food
and feed.
Now the crisis is here! This great
Nation must arouse herself for
mighty struggle for liberty. People
without food and armies without ra-
tions are conquered before they can
begin to fight. Our greatest safety now
lies in food production and in saving
the waste products.
I If the South is to be strong she must
have food. If this country is to be
strong she must be we'll fed and have
an abundance to sustain those friendly
people who are even now fighting our
battles for liberty and democracy.
Transportation may be disturbed.
our own defense requires you to pro-
duce and conserve your food supply.
Don't fail now! 1t is a National prob
lem of defense as important as men
and guns, ships and cannon.
Business men, if seed is short can
vass the situation like patriots and
, get the seed for farmers. Arrange the
credits. Furnish farmers seed corn
SOY DGdllO, COW peas. HCANUS ONNAAAAt PNN"
nuts, sorghum, etc, at cost. See thai
all things necessary to help farmers
are done. Of course, we must produce
cotton, but with a moderate acreage
and a good season there will bt
enough. Do not sacrifice acres of fooC
to increase your acreage in cotton
Look ahead! Get the warehouses, thu
feed mills, shelters, cleaning stations
creameries, packing plants, etc. GRADY
on must do your share and cooperate
with farmers They must do thei
share and tend the crops faithfully.
Farmers, in your unions, clubs an,
lother organizations, resolve to us
the best methods now When the Ma
ltion faces crisis we must have tn
best farming in its history. Labor i
short, hence the best tools and all Ia
bor-saving devices must be used t
make it possible for every farm lahore
to cover as much ground as posSibl
and do the most efficient work. Farr
women and girls have important wor
s. to do In the garden, the orchard, i
n raising poultry, and especially In can
i ming, preserving and conserving on
o food supply.
Your county agent and home demons
tration agent become more importan
s officers now than ever before. You
state extension division at the Agricul
Itural College will have still more i'm
portant duties. Look to these 70
counsel and advice in this new burde
of extra work The county agent viii
without doubt, have new duties and re
sronsibilities in the near future.
Farmers and business men, save til
b breeding stock. Don't sell sows, heii
ers, mares, sows, gifts or hens. Kee
them for breeding. II the breedin
stock is sold, where will you get tn
means to supply the meat o! this coun
TRY?
Let US forget all past dificultie
and join in mighty effort to feed tn
South. What can you do in the mex
sixty days? Respectfully yours.
BRADFORD KNAPP, Chief