Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-07-18
THIS IS NO TIME TO WASTE,
ID. Il. Cokcr Appeals to People to
Save and Conserve FOOdSt uiis.

David X. Coker, Of HartSvillc,
chairman Of the State Defense Coun-
ell, has issued the following state
ment to the people OF South Caro-
lima:
"'rhe State Council Of Defense
wishes to call attention to several
features Of the present and prospect
i've situation which seem to call for
thoughtful consideration by all Of the
people Of the State, but especially the
farmers.
''rremcndous advances have re-
Gently taken place in fertilizer mate
rails, and especially in ammoniates.
Tankage, cotton seed meal and dried
blood are already so high that it is
doubtful whether they can be profit
ably used as fertilizing materials.
This Is because these materials are
more and more being used rs food for
live stock, being substituted to some
extent for corn, wheat bran and other
materials which can be used for hu-
man food. Sulphatc Of ammonia,
which has been largely used for fer
tiliZing, is almost entirely off the
market, being required by the gov
crnmcnt for the manufacture of mu-
| nitions. 1t is altogether probable
that next spring the average farmer
will we unable to buy any source Of
ammonia except nitrate OF soda,
which is now nearing 500 per ton.
! with possible further advance.
| There is no certainty that even this
material can be obtained in ADEQUATE
quantities, as it is also used largely
in munitions Of war
|
the planting OF every acre OF stubble
land and all vacant corn middlcs to
COW peas, which is the only available
lcgumc for planting at this season.
Later on tScptember 18TH to Octo-
Der l5th it will be advisabl to plant
cover crops in all OF the cotton.
| Thc farmer who understands the
situation now and takes all possible
steps to meet it in advance may be
able TO carry on his operations next
year without contracting fertilizer
blllS so heavy as to endanger his
| nr0ltS. The farmer who takes no
thought for the morrow will be in a
very different position, and may face
a situation next spring out Of which
he will be unable to figure living.
I'VE trust the people OF the State
will carefully consider the above sit
uation, caused by the prospective
shortage and high prices OF fertilizer,
and will take all possible steps to
lessen the threatened danger to our
| agriculture.
"Anothcr very difficult problem
seems to us to confront our people.
II the State this year produces an av-
crage or even three-Quarters Of an
average cotton and tobacco crop and
| sells
prices. there will be, after debts are
paid the greatest volume Of surplus
money ever known in this State. Pre-
vious periods OF unusual prosperity
| have almost invariably been accom-
! panied by speculation, extravaganza
ana large Investments in new enter
prlses With the boil weevil on our
threshold. and with the war present
ing a Kaleidoscope Of problems that
| at any time may reverse the financial
outlook, our people should show a
wise conservatism this fall. If the
| present outlook for a profitable bus
mess is realized it will present
great and unusual opportunity to all
farmers and business men to pay off
accumulated debts and to lay aside
surplus to meet boil weeyil condi-
tions and other probable contingent
cies.
Every man who reads and thinks
should use all Of his influence to see
that the prospective prosperity Is
| properly utilized and does not even
tually result in disaster. Waste and
extravaganza should be frowned
| upon and made unpopular by public
| sentiment
THE government will undoubtedly
oner other issues OF bonds from time
10 time and large part OF the
profits OF our people must go toward
financing the nation If the war Is to
be successfully conducted. The Red
Cross. the Y. NJ. c. a. and other ma
| tional charities must be supported,
and supported literally.
| After debts are paid and national
financial needs fully attended to,
every dollar not required for a mod
est bat comfortable living should be
$.:ely put aside for future use.
The State Council OF Defense re-
Guests the County Councils. the
| newspapers and the citizens generally
to give the widest possible publicity
| to the above SUGGESTIONS.
| David K. COker, Chairman,
IS. G. Defense Council"