Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-03-08
FROM THE PEOPLE.

strange in what am about to write 70
you, but somehow the impulse is
strong upon me to write it any way.
wish to say something about food
conservation and crop planning.
If some young student Of Latin will
refrain from taking me to task l will
venture, on memory, that it was Cicero
as very young attorney who apollo
gised before the venerable court for his
youth when he rose in defense Of q
client. lam only four or five years of age
as farmer. May plead cf you with Cic-
ero to pardon this youthfulness. and
ponder only on the matter set forth?
During the planting season last
year, we had a few mass meetings in
the county for the purpose of stimulat-
ing greater planting of food crops. I
held at that time that our problem was
more to prepare for conservation than
for production, since the season was
already advanced, and more seed were
difficult to procure, and that, In addi-
tion. larger than ordinary paintings Of
| food crops had already been arranged
for or even accomplished. The crop
yield is now history, and whether it was
a good prophecy or good crop year is
beside the point. The important fact
is that the county produced bounteous
food supply. But 80 far as ! can ascsr-
tain there has not been started any Or
ganized movement toward conservation.
I am fully aware that many cribs are
still tight and bursting with corn. But
who knows how many more are getting
very hollow?
Corn Is bringing an unprecedented
price for this season Of the year. and it
is likely to mount still higher. The
price Is tempting to the prodigal and
unthrifty. Practically none Of our labor
Ing people realize the tremendous con.
sequences of need and suffering that
stand facing US when our food is squan-
dered. There is no need to waste time
appealing to the reason or patriotism Of
the ignorant holder. These terms have
no meaning to him.
Not much more hope lies in appel to
the buyers of bushel lots Of corn z wish
to offend no one. but am not afraid Of
facts) for the elements of trading com.
petition leavened with human selfish
ness, suffocate both reason and patriot
ism In this particular matter.
Stepping up to larger scale, there
is not much hope in appealir g to large
dealers. In fact the psychology of
trade does not include a factor known
as patriotism. and its reason is cold and
proft-looking.
Organized and ;horoughing restraint
is the only effective weapon to use in
our present emergency. Such a course
standardizes competition, and moreover
protects the weak from his own destruc-
ton.
Our country is too fertile and pro-
ductive for US to be put to the neces-
sity of living on bread cards. The Gov
ernment has forbidden the marketing
of hens. Why then is it not practical
to limit in some degree the peddling out
of corn? 1t is indeed a grievous and
yexing question, and there is always an
ass to bray Unconstitutional" He1
would prefer to bray and go hungry
than to lend more reason than voice
and go fed. Let US have heroic meas
ures if necessary through the duration
of the war.
Now as to the 1918 crop.
The press has been very generous in
the space given over to urging the
farmer to look we'll to his food produc-
tion. Let the good work proceed until
the preachment has struck again and
again even into the remotest clearing
in the deepest forests.
AS to the distribution Of their crops, |
| have heard a few farmers state that
they were not going to increase their
cotton acreage for 1918. In fact one
or two declare they are going to cut
down bit. But among most of the |
farmers ! am afraid the idea Of not in.
creasing has not become fixed. These
gentlemen will not unequivocally ex.
press themselves in group conversations, |
but when cotton acreage is mentioned
a subtle glitter fiits for moment in the |
eyes, and they adroitly steer the discus.
sion to another topic or quietly slip |
away from the group.
ives talking with an old friend and |
neighbor a few days ago about the |
planting outlook. He has had long ex-
perience and has weathered all the
panics. short crops and low prices for
the past forty odd years. The grind
stone Of experience has whetted his
blade Of judgment and caution. Long
years Of observation have taught him
to interpret the drift of mems minds.
He called my attention to the wide
spread blowing up Of old pastures