Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-03-15
ACREAGE REDUCTION URGED
Experts Say it IS Folly TO Grow Cot,
ton Without the Use Of Fertilizer.
FARMERS HEAR SOME SOUND ADVICE

Winters and Hamer Principal Speakers
at Agricultural Rally In Rock Hill
Drab Picture Of Outlook Is Painted
Not More Than 10 Cents Per Pound
for Cotton Expeeted-Growing Of
Lesumes and Cover Crops Urged
Big Crowd Attends Meeting. :
(By Staff Correspondent.
Rock Hill, March 12:-An urgent ap--
peal to York county farmers to reduce
their cotton acreage by half; but not TO
attempt to grow cotton in 1921 without
the use Of fertilizers was made here to-
day by N. E. Winters, of Charlotte, ~.
department Of the Department Of AgrE-
culture, and r. G. Hamer, president Of
the South Carolina Division Of the
American Cotton association, who were
the principal speakers at meeting cf
farmers held in the Chamber Of Com
merce hall. There were probably 400
dirt" farmers in the audience, gather
ed from all sections of York county.
DR.. J. 3. Johnson. president Of the York
county branch Of the American cotton
association, presided. Two selections
sung by Miss Davies, of the music fac
ulty Of Winthrop college, were a pleas
ant diversion from the regular pro-
gramme Of the meeting. After Presi-
dent Hamer had concluded his talk a
luncheon was served the audience.
What was characterized by many Of
the farmer audience as the most prac-
ticable and educational agricultural ad-
dress ever heard in Rock Hill, was de-
livcred by N. e. Winters Of the exten-
sion department, who has been called
the BILLY Sunday of Agriculture"
Speaker Captivated Audienes.
A man Of striking appearance pos
sessed Of a rapid flow of language, and
the art of an actor, he presented
stream Of facts and figures and Stats
tical information to his audience illus
trated by charts on the wall that the
audience might sec, that made every
person in the hall sit up and take no
ticc. Never for q. moment while he
was speaking did interest in his talk
lag.
A product of the west. a native Of the
state Of Oklahoma and Of part Indian
blood. Winters grew up on the farm. A
stud dept .of ithelsoill and Of agricultural
problems from his youth, he Is c:asscd
us orc Of the foremost agriculturists In
the country and it is said that he is
one Of the most valued members Of the
Federal department Of agriculture.
Slightly lame in one leg, he walks with
the assistance OF a cane and during his
address here today he walked from one
side of the hall to the other and down
the aisles among his hearers. driving
home what he said were facts and not
opinions" in seemingly endless stream.
Hc was interrupted at his own invi-
taton several times by members OF the
audience who had questions to ask.
The questions were answered faster
than they were put. with never the
slightest hesitation.
Declaring that it was not the part
of wisdom to attempt to grow cotton in
this section without the use OF fertili-
iZcr, Mr. Winters said that individual
farmers should give careful study TO
the subject Of fertilizer this year and
the need. of their particular soils with
view to making every dollar spent for
fertilizer pay.
Mentioning the fact that the farmers
of South Carolina spent S53,0O0,O00 for
fertilizer last year, he said that the
price Of fertilizer had not come down.
this year in proportion to other things
and that statistics showed that fcrtil-
izer was 90 per cent higher now than
for a four-ycar average preceding the
late World war.
Expects Ten Cents Cotton.
Urging 80 per cent reduction of cot
ton acreage for 1921. he said that If
farmers got more than 10 cents a pound
for cotton this year he was going TO be
very much surprised.
Referring to reports coming from
Texas in regard to the action farmers
were taking in that state for this year,
he said that he. did not know whether
or not Texas farmers were going to re-
ducc acreage; but he knew that they
could very well do so since there were
MANY crops that could be grown in that
state pruftably. II know Texas he
said. az know that it is not. necessary
for farmers in that state to grow all
cotton TO live. An infinite Creator has
given Texans crops other than cotton
that can be raised proftably. although
that same Allwisc Creator hls given to
Suu.h Carolina IL larger variety.
Calling attention TO the economy OF
mixing fertilizers at home he mention
ed the value Of IN equal mixture OF
acid and cotton seed meal rs one of the
best known fertilizers for this section
Of South Carolina. you farmers" he
said. can easily save from $40 TO SO
per ton in your fertilizer bill this year
by' rniXing your own fertilizers.
He advises the careful use of potash
where cotton is rusting or corn french
es; bat warned against too liberal use.