The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-06-16
vii, who brought to them diversified

VII, VINO brought 70 tneiH QlNeFSlIleu
farming and increased prosperity"
Some idea of what weevils can do
under favorable conditions may be
had from the case of Alabama in 1916.
The previous year the state made, if
my memory is correct, 100000 bales
of cotton and in 1916 with extreme
rainfall and consequent weevil dam
age, only 100000 bales-a two thirds
loss with not all the state infested
with weevils. Some of the worse af-
fected counties like Montgomery,
Dallas, LowndeS, dropped from 10000
and $4,000 bales TO from 1000 to g.
600. Imagine if you can what corii-
tions there would be with 5000 or
even 10000 bale corp.
What Happened in Alabama.
| have seen with my own eyes, fields
of cotton that would hide a man on
harseback that didn't make planting
seed. Many one-mule share croppers
with twenty acres planted could not
go to gin without clubbing in with one
or more others. Towns with four and
five ginneries had only one in opera
ton, and that on certain days during
the busiest season. And the follow
ing year whole plantations did not
have a negro on them or a furrow
turned, and, saddest of all, many of
these lands are now in the hands Of
outsiders, who seized the opportunity
to buy them cheap. For whole sea-
sons not car of mules was shipped
into Montgomery, but train loads went
out, while IN pre-weevil days Abra-
ham Bros. there did one of the biggest
mule businesses in the south-whole-
sale and retail.
Gentlemen, do not allow all your
labor to drift away and do not dispose
of your work stock should you have
a bad weevil year. If you do we will
be several times as long rallying from
the effect of weevis. You will realize
the mistake too late.
I would also urge and plead with
you to begin now your plans for re-
duced acreage of cotton to from six
to eight acres per plow (you cannot
handle more successfully. Plan for
a variety of crops next year, but do
not plunge into any new crop too
heavily. The experience will he too
expensive. 1t is much better to grow
into these new things. Plan first Of
all to raise as much as possible Of
those things we have been raising
cotton to buy with. All of this means
the greatest change that has come in
your system of farming since the
emancipation of the negro. 1t is moth
ing less than an agricultural somer-
sault, but unless the weevil fails to
run to form you have got to take it
and the sooner it is done the easier
and less expensive it will be.
! Looking to the Future.
We must begin to fence our farms,
pay attention to pastures and forage
crops so as to make live stock profta-
BILE We must see men who have al
ways fought grass six months of the
year and bought it the other six, nurs-
ing it as they used to do their cotton.
And they will also be practicing the
fundamental principle of good farm
ing, which is regular crop rotation and
the growing of soil improving, nitro
gen gathering crops, such as velvet
beans, soy beans, vetch, etc. You will
all raise some cotton, but not as of
old. 1t will be from one-half to two
thirds your former yield per acre or
reduced acreage.
Other counties not as good as Lee
have triumphed over what now seems
impending disaster, and what they
have done you can do, because no
where is there higher class of citi-
zenship, more productive soils or eli
mate and location capable of greater
diversification and production.
I shall be glad at all times to serve
you in every possible way-bringing
you correct information on what you
want to learn about and giving you
whatever benefit I can from my past
experience and observations - and
staying with you no longer than pub
lie sentiment feels that I am giving
you value received, plus, for the mon.
ey your delegation appropriates for
county agent work.