The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-04-21
DR.. KNAPP URGES MORE FOOD.
TIME FOR EVERYBODY TO GET
TOGETHER FOR PUBLIC
GOOD, HE SAYS.
Says That Farmers Should Not Go
Cotton Crazy, for Apparent High
Price is Deceiving-Rank Folly to
Plant Large Acreage in Cotton and
Leave Off Food Crops with Corn
and Wheat so High He Says.

The following le. ter has been re-
ceived from DR.. Bradford Knapp.
head of the farm extension work in
the South. and published by request
of the Chamber Of COmmerc
Mr.. F.. I. ReardOn, Managing Secre-.
tary, Sumter Chamber of COM.
merce.
Dear Mr.. Reardon: I am very
grateful to you for sending me the
Sumter plan, which entirely accOrds
with the general plan Of organization
for this emergency in the South
This is the time for everybody to get
together and do a tremendous piece
of work for the production or food
in the South.
Unfortunately, it has been impos-
sible for me to get dates for a speak
ing tour in South Carolina. have
spoken in practically every other cot
ton-producing State; hence. the South
Caroina people do not know just how
much has been done, even before the
war came. to awaken the people to
a realization Of the present situation
The one important thing is the fact
that cotton, even at 20c a pound, is
not high. I have been pointing this
out since cotton began to go up last
fall. The apparent high price of cot.
ton is deceiving the farmers. With
corn at $1.40 to $1.50 a bushel and
meal, -four, potatoes and other foods
equally high, it is rank folly for ou,
people to persist in putting in a large
acreage in cotton. Inclosed I send
YOU number of copies of a recent
letter to farmers, bankers and busi-
ness men.
! certainly congratulate Sumte,
county. on this move and congratulate
you, who are connected with it, O,
your efforts. II there is anything We
can do, to further this good work, lie.
uS hHoW'u very truly yours, e..
Bradford Knapp. Chief.
TO Farmers, Bankers and Busines
Men in the South:
Safety.
For nearly three years 1 have done
my best to warn you to prepare TO
the present emergency. For year
we have tried to encourage diversified
tion in the South as a basis for great
er safety, both agricultural and eco
nomic. Since the war began in Eu
rope we have urged Safe Farming
Whom prices were low you did wei
and made great progress. When cot
ton went to eighteen cents and owe
you made large profits because of you,
progress in Safe Farming, but SOM
were tempted to go back to cotton
In common with many other men.
have tried to warn you Of that danger
Cotton has not been high but has onl,
increased in somewhat less proper
tion than food and feed.
Now the crisis is here. This grea,
nation must arouse herself for
mighty struggle for liberty. Peopl.
without food and armies without ra
tions are conquered before they ca,
begin to fight. Our greatest safety no,
lies in Food Production and in saving
the waste products.
If the South Is to be strong sb,
must have food. II this country is t,
strong she must he we'll fed and hav,
an abundance to sustain those friend
ly people who are even now fightin.
our battles for liberty and democracy
Transportation may be disturbed
Your 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 me
and guns. ships and cannon.
Business men, if seed is short cam
vass the situation like patriots and
get the seed for farmers. Arrang,
the credits. Furnish farmers see{
corn, soy beans. cowpeas, velve,
beans, peanuts. sorghum. ETC., at cost
See that all things necessary to help
farmers are done. or course. we must
produce cotton, but with a moderate
acreage and a good season there will
he enough Do not sacrifice acres O
tood TO increase your acreage in cot.
ton. Look ahead! Get the warehous
es. the feed mills. shelters, cleaning
stations, creameries, packing plants.
etc. ready. You must do your share
and cooperate with farmers. They
must do their share and tend tho
crops faithfully.
FARMERS, in your unions. clubs and
loo 10,