Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1922-07-12


shall discuss first what | consider
our largest and most perplexing ag-
ricultural problem, which has been
greatly magnified, and made more
acute by the presence Of the weevil:
namely, the fact that rs per cent of
our cultivated lands are In the hands
OF an ignorant and shiftless class.
Second, l shall point out briefly some
Of the achievements within the last
thirty years Of the scientific man. in
solving the many problems OF agri-
culture that at this time Of our per-
plexity and bewilderment are making
1t not only possible, but assure us in
"a reasonable time our agriculture
will be Oh broader and firmer
basis, for we have gotten away from
tho one-crop system that limits
knowledge, narrows citizenship and
does not foster home-building, for
we should remember that the key
stone Of American civilization Is the
home. Third, shall undertake to
show briefly how we have within the
last thirty years been growing more
and more in sympathy with agricul-
ture through Legislative enactment.
In conclusion, shall comment upon
the potential agricultural power of
South Carolina.
Back to tho I'arm Movement and tho
Increase Of Tenantry.
Up to the last rs years, or possibly
longer, the minds Of the American
people were largely directed to the
development of the country along
industrial, manufacturing and COM
mercial lines. Little thonght was
given to agriculture other than to
reap, to cook and to weave. The
problems involved in agriculture
were not considered Of sufficient
value and Importance to warrant the
scientific study Of tho scientists, nor
was there hope Of profitable reward
sufficient to interest the capitalists;
and the legislator made no effort to
study and investigate and ascertain
II there was such thing in exist
cree as rural problem, either Of
production or economics. Notwith-
standing that, even at so late a date
rs 1880, when 70 per cent of our, pco-
pie lived in the country and 80 per
cent In the towns and cities, 1t then
required the efforts Of these 70 per
cent to produce the necessary food
and raiment to feed and clothe the
population Of the country. AS an
evidence Of the great progress that
fas been made in agriculture, 25 per
cent of the people are now producing
on the farm more than sufficient food
for our consumption and use.
In this connection it Is interesting
to note upon what basis the much
discussed movement back to the farm
Is justifiable. Twenty-Five per cent Of
our people are now producing the
necessary food supply and raw mate
rial for our clothing, along with a
surplus Of each for export. If this
movement assumes any proportions
the natural result would be that the
profit from the production and sale
OF farm products would be greatly di-
The only alternative is
reduction in farm liv-
ing standards or this vanishing re-
turn to agriculture would manifest
itself In the exodus to industry and
the further increase Of tenantry; so
let us desist from this cheap talk of
back to the farm" and let us recog-
nize that our great rural problem
grows out Of the fact that 81 per
cent of our cultivated lands are in
the hands Of an ignorant, shiftless
class. We in the South-in South
Carolina, If you please-fully realize
that prosperous, intelligent and
contented rural population Is there.
fore essential to our national perpe-
,uity. The worlds experience has
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