The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1919-02-06
LAND SETTLEMENTS IN
SOUTH CAROLINA.

Clemson College.-Secretary Hous.
culture. said In an address recently
delivered to a conference of editors Of
agricultural Journals: "It would be
desirable to facilitate land settlement
in more systematic fashion. This has
been too long left to the haphazard
Intervention Of private enterprise. and
the Nation has suffered not q aittle
from irresponsible private direction.
1 think It is high time for the Federal
and State governments both, as well
as local communities, to seek to aid
in land settlement by furnishing actual
facts, reliable Information. and agri'
cultural guidance to beginning farmers,
and to promote wellconsidered settle.
ment plans. 1t is particularly vital
that the process OF acquiring owner.
ship OF farmers be encouraged and
fastened"
These views are also shared by the
Department Of Labor and of the In
terror. Secretary Lane has associao
ed with him, some OF the best engi
neers who have been connected with
reclamation work Of various kinds
The semi-arid lands Of the West, the
cut-over and swamp lands Of the
South are being visited, that proper
measures may be taken as soon as
possible to render them fit for the
plow, and open them for settlement
In these days Of reconstruction
when industry may be disorganized by
the cancellation OF Government con
tracts for its products, and by the
rehabilitation Of large bodies both o,
working men and soldiers, the land
beckons TO the man more insistantlJ
than ever before. 1t will certainly be
made easier for the man who wishes t.
own farm to get It on reasonable
terms. And these measures cure
q far worse evil. They provide the
very best security against the discon
tent likely to arise from unemploy
ment and lack Of food. The idle acre,
can give healthful and profitable EN-
ployment to all who can be placed
upon them; but home ownership mus;
! be the goal, and fair annual profits
above a normal standard OF living
must be the means advanced to Sc
cure these settlers. Almost every
man can find congeniaa employment
at his home, II he owns it. or is be
coming the owner OF it. A few acre,
will suffice to provide food supplies IL
large part, for tho family, and a sur
plus for market. Organized method,
of disposing OF the surplus in AM
community will 60 far towards pro
viding funds Sor the other necessaries
OF life.
In South Carolina, there are abor
$500, 900 acres. Twothirds, or abou
! 13,5O0,00O acres are in farms. One
third OF the State lies absolutely idl,
for agricultural purposes; it consist
OF roads, towns and cities, and worn
out and swamp wood land. But OF tn,
13,500.o0o acres in farms. crops ar,
grown on less than half To be exact
the crops OF 1917 were grown on 6.19S
900 acres. Probably at least as mucl
more can be used for growin
crops and for pastures. but lie
us say there yet remain onl
100000 acres in the State fit TO
farming. AS 35 acres is the size o
the average farm cultivated there i
room then for nearly $4,000 more farm
families. What vast amount Of Ian,
settlement could be done in Soutl
Carolina; what untold wealth could b.
added to the property lists. il the loca
communities, as Secretary Housto,
suggests, should aid beginning farm
ers!
Federal and State aid in the settle