Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-01-30
CROP PRODUCTION IN 1918.
Country Much Concerned About Atti-
tude OF Farmer Toward Cotton.
progressive Farmer }


Those interested In the agricultu-
raj progress of the South are anxious
that we shall not fail to do our pa
triotic duty III food production are
much concerned about tho attitude
the Southern farmer is going to take
toward cotton production in 1918.
In 1917 the boil weevil was much
less destructive in many sections
than ever before since he came IN
large numbers. The small crop Of
1917, 100000 bales or less has
resulted in high prices, and where a
fair crop was made the profits have
been large. But it must be remem-
bered that the average yield per acre
IN 1917 was only about 1856 pounds
OF lint cotton, and for 1916 only
about 156 pounds per acre. The
small crop Of 1917, for instance,
was not due to "a small acreage, for
we had over tiirty-three million
acres, but to small yield per acre.
On tho other hand, corn yields
have been good, taking the South as
q whole, although the crop is short
~ the dry sections, Of tho West
Food production and, as a general
rule. feed production, have been lar
ger than usual. 1t is also true that
those who have made moro food and
feed supplies than required for home
use have been able to sell the sur
plus at a good price; but after all
these facts are duly recognized Il re-
mains a fact that, for the average
Southern farmer, cotton has proved
the best money crop grown and It is
fiar to assume that it will continue
to be the best money crop Of the
South when good yields are made in
a properly balanced cropping system
We can find no sound basis for an
argument against the growing of
cotton when. it Is produced OH a
sound economic basis or in system
Of agriculture which provides for
food and feed production and the
maintenance OF soil fertility.
All these facts and many others
which might be mentioned unmistak-
ably point to a desire on the part Of
the Southern farmer to increase his
cotton acreage in 1918. Some feel
very anxious about what may happen
to Southern agriculture next year.
We need moderate crop of cotton,
but to produce more cotton than is
needed and fail to produce even more
largely than in 1917 OF the food and
feed supplies demanded by the ma
tion would be calamity. More
over, IL would stamp us as little
short of "slackers" to fail to pro-
duce our own supplies, in the face
OF the demand Of the nation at war,
for the largest possible production
of foodstuffs.
But If our appeal for the produc-
ton of food and feed crops next year
Is to be generally effective It must
be based on sound economics as we'll
as on patriotism, for it is not to the
interest Of the nation as a whole
that any large section conduct it's
business at loss.
Cotton can only be maintained at
n high price by a small crop, while
food and feedstuffs are absolutely
certain to remain high-priced, re-
gardless Of the largest crops we can
possibly produce, because Of the lar
ger demands and larger wastage due
to the war. For instance, the nation
has produced the largest corn crop
in her history in 1917 and still corn
Is well above dollar bushel and
VIII probably remain between $1.25
and S1.50' a bushel until at least the
crop OF 1918 is available for use.
YOU'RE BILIOUS LET