Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-11-21
!. j. !. ]. !. j. j. !. !. !. j. !. i y.
y. a DA N.!EH SIGNAL. !.
y. STOP!-LOOK!- !.
!. j. j. !. Il !. !. I. J. !. !. !,
Open Letter to the Farmers.

Present abnormal conditions in the
agricultural and financial situation !
Of our state require serious thought
by Ill Of our people, but especially by
our farmers. The following are some
OF the more prominent features re-
uuiring considerations:
|. The abnormal farm profits
ranging U estimatc) at from four
to ten times the average in different
parts Of the State.
2. The great scarcity and high
prices or fertilizers, present prices
being about GO per cent higher than
last year.
g. The 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 wcevil. which may be expect
ed to cover the entire State within
two years and seriously affect cotton
production in 1919 or 1920.
). The Inadequate and congested
t"liol ilSllItlSS W DOtH iuuu
and water.
6. The obligation which rests
upon every citizen to Loyalty respond
to the needs OF our government at
war
There Is abundant evidence that
many Of our people are engaged in a
perfect ORGY Of money spending. I
was told to-day OF a large plantation
upon which the tenants had each
made net profit Of from $500 to
5 800. and that all Of those tenants
together could probably not raise
$500 in cash to-day
Thousands OF mules are being
shipped into the State, and many are
being sold to farmers who could get
along without them. All will have
| TO be fed for four months or more on
high-priccd corn and forage before
they will be OF much use.
Premiums over the cash price are
being paid for automobiles. | know
OF $500 having been offered for a
Ford car that had been in service
several months. Many are buying
automobiles who will very shortly
have no money to pay for gasoline
| and repairs.
The intelligent citizens Of the
state can do no more patriotic SER
vice ut the present juncture than to
vigorously preach against the cx-
travagance which many Of our peo-
pie are indulging in. They need to
be told that this is time which re-
quires the exercise OF sound business
Judgment as well as Of united patri-
otic cooperation with the govern
ment. They need to be told that the
man who now has in hand enough
money to run his next years crop,
and spends it unwisely before next
spring, will show such poor business
Judgment that he will be. and should
be, regarded as very dangerous
credit risk by the banker and mer-
chant
They should be told that ii is wise
to buy fertilizers right away and
have them shipped out, as there Is
great danger that the late buyer and |
the credit buyers will not be able to |
get any fertilizers or will not receive |
them on time.
They need to have their attention |
directed to the fact that in every
State which the boil weevil has in
vaded. cotton production has prompt
~ decreased, land values have fallen
and great distress and disorganiza-
tion have followed
They need to be told that the suc-
cess OF our agriculture, as we'll as the
success, of our nation IN this great
war for human liberty, will be jeop-
ardized If the farmer does not pro-
duce an ample supply OF food. The
production OF live stock--especially
hogs-should be emphasized, and 1t
should be explained that meat pro-
duets 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-
chase Of Liberty Bonds and for the
support Of the Red Cross and
Y. NJ. c. A., the sole purpose Of
which organizations Is to minister to
the safety and to the physical and
moral walfaro of Cur bov ~ tl,o |
front. The unusual prosperity OF