Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1918-11-27
Probable Effect Of the Ending
of the War on Southern
Agriculture and Busi-
ness.

Agriculture and Busi-
ness.
There is no question Of more uni
versal interest than, GLOW is the
coming of peace going to affect busi'
ness activities?"
Other wars of much smaller pro-
portions have usually been followed
by very active business in almost
every line and general prosperity fol-
number of years.
The business of the South is large,
ly agricultural. Even during the wal
the South has had little direct bene.
fits from war activities, except in 3
few localities and perhaps in the lum,
Der industry quite generally. In 9th,
er words, not being manufacturing
section of the country, we did not
profit largely by war activities OF the
manufacturing of war equipment.
But during the war prices on all
products consumed by the South
have greatly advanced and it must
be remembered that the South is
largely a buyer of most farm prod
ucts except cotton and us by-prod-
ucts. Her one large sales crop has al
so, except for the first year of the
war, sold for advanced prices. Dur
ing the first two years of the war
cotton prices were relatively very
much less and during the last two
years a little less, as coraparcd with
pre-war prices, than wheat and corn.
But the forced habits Of economy
which we learned before and during
the first years of the war have enabl-
ed the South to put herself in the
best financial position of her exist
ence.
Therefore, that the good business
and prosperity for every legitimate
and we'll conducted business is assur-
ed to the South for several years
seems as nearly certain as anything
in the future can be. The world is
short of cotton, as compared with ev-
en- normal needs. The cupboards of
the world are empty and food prod
ucts must remain in great demand
and high-priced. But how long are
these good prices to last? Beyond
question the conditions limiting cot
ton production makes it reasonably
certain that it will take two crops of
cotton or the crops of 1919 and 1920
to bring the supplies anywhere near
up to the demands. 1t will probably
take longer, and it is almost certain
it will take considerably longer to
replenish the food supplies of the
world. It therefore seems beyond
question that the farmers of the
South are assured good prices and
prosperous times for several years
at least.
IF the farmers are prosperous all
other lines prosper. During the last
three years and during the next few
years the people of the South will
have more money than ever before
with which to continue old lines and
engage in new enterprises to supply
the needs of reconstruction. For in
stance, the war has checked all build
ing activities which now must be re-
vived and increased considerably in
order to make up for the lessened ac-
tivity of the years of the war. 1t fol-
lows that building materials, manu-
factured goods and all other lines Of
commerce must assume more than
usual activity to meet these condi-
tions brought about by the war.
Considering the destruction of live
stock and the demands for foods, be-
yond question, livestock, food, grains
and other farm products must be in
great demand and for. years to come
with corresponding prices and to
meet these demandss great activity
in these lines of production must be
continued. In short, the South's pre-
war condition, the restraint on her
business activities during the war
and the demands which must follow
the conclusion of the war point un-
mistakably to great period of farm
ing, commercial and manufacturing
activity for several years. She has
more money than ever before and
good prices for her products mean
continued prosperity which can not
fail to be great stimulus to all lines
of normal activities = Progressive
Farmer.