Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-04-11
WEDNESDAY, APKIL II, 1917.
DIRECTOR LONG wKrIss LETTER
70 ~! Men and Women Dcm0nStr1-
tion Agents In the State.

The conditions. as being reported,
Of the food crops OF the world if not
alarming are serious. This is cspe-
cially true when we realize that the
reserves will be exhausted at the end
OF this crop year.
Ii is reported that the English
wheat crop is exceedingly back ward.
The Dutch crop is small. The French
crop is very much less than usual.
and what is most alarming. Argen-
tina will have no wheat or corn to cx-
port. The Australian wheat crop is
reported 50.O00,ooO bushels less
than last years. The statement is
made that the English government
has contracted for the entire surplus
OF this years wheat crop OF Canada
Wheat in the winter growing States
in our country has suffered much for
want Of MOISTURE
Early vegetables in the Southern
States have been destroyed by re
cent freezes. Coming nearer home,
the prospects for wheat and oat crops
in South Carolina are the most dis
cOuraging in years The season is
very backward and. therefore, little
gardening was done in March.
The country is virtually in a state
OF war and we have every reason to
expect that in Il short time thousands
OF young men may be called from
the fields to arms. Therefore, it is
necessary to impress upon all classes
OF our people the urgent need OF
growing all vegetables for table use
and for canning purposes.
You should take this matter up
not only with the farmers. but with
the officials OF cities and villages and
bring about organizations for the
cultivation OF vacant lots in food
crops. Chambers OF commerce, wo-
mems clubs and every agency should
be appealed to to assist In this most
important work The production Of
forage crops on large areas. particu-
larly the velvet bean. sorghum, Su-
dan grass. cOwpeas and SOY beans, is
urgent. The acreage in corn should
be greatly increased.
The greatest care should be taken
with spring pigs. Hogs are now sell
ing in the Northern markets at 15al
cents a pound on foot; beef cattle
from 10 to - cents Il pound on foot,
with every prospect OF increasing.
The acreage OF sweet potatoes should
be increased many fold. Every far
mcr should plant a crop Of fall pota-
toes--thc Lookout Mountain variety
ii 0btainable.
with the food supply OF the world
in its present condition we may be
assured OF a profitable demand for
all food crops. We owe il to our
selves and our country to produce
the necessary supplies for the family,
and in the event that war is dcclar-
cd, for the men who are performing
their patriotic duty. The indications
arc that for the first time since the
civil War we will be unable to pur-
chase supplies from other countries.
Therefore it is Imperative that we
produce them at home. This posi-
bility OF shortage may bring some OF
our people to actual suffering.
Ii YOU think wise. have this article
published in your local paper. Call
your bankers, merchants and farm
crS in conference so that the most
powerful influences may be put in
motion for the growing OF necessary
food crops for man and beast
RcSpc pct;:u!lv,
w. W. IUng. Director
Clcmson College. 1917.