22 BOLL WEEVIL. 



they will follow under boll-weevil conditions, so that farmers may make their 

 plans accordingly. 



5. The commission suggests that the farmers of the State seek to insure 

 themselves against the wholesale loss of labor which has occurred, in other 

 States. To that end, the landlords or employers should make plain to laborers 

 and tenants that they will be provided for if they will remain, and will be given 

 an opportunity to raise their food supplies. It would be wise as a part of this 

 program to advance to each family at least one brood sow and a milch cow. 

 Such a policy will be well worth while if it serves to hold the labor on the farm 

 dux-ing the first two or three years of the boll-weevil Invasion, when the 

 temptation and inducements to migrate from the State will be at a maximum. 



6. Despite hardships and serious depreciation in values, the commission 

 strongly urges upon landowners not to sacrifice their holdings. Freedom from 

 debt, when the weevil reaches the State, is the first consideration of safety, 

 and every farmer in debt should make a special effort in the next two years of 

 grace to pay off mortgages on his land. 



In this connection the commission would direct the attention of farmers to 

 the recently established Federal land banks, and urge the formation of farm- 

 loan associations through which money can be obtained cheaply on long-term 

 paper. 



7. The commission suggests that cotton oil mills should begin at once to foster 

 the growing of peanuts and soy beans by offering prizes and by a liberal buying 

 policy ; and that ginneries should equip to husk, shell, clean, and sack corn, and 

 clean and sack oats and other grains. 



8. The intensive cultivation of cotton and of many of the substitute crops, 

 especially truck crops, will still require a large amount of commercial fertiliz- 

 ers. It is the opinion of the commission that the fertilizer industries will not 

 suffer materially under boll-weevil conditions if cotton prices remain high and 

 proper care is taken in extending credit. Fertilizer companies can materially 

 aid in the policy of diversification by a sympathetic attitude toward the chang- 

 ing conditions and by cooperating with the county demonstration agents and 

 farmers' organizations and individual farmers. 



9. Recognizing that in the cooperative demonstration and extension work 

 organized and conducted jointly by Clemson College and the United States De- 

 partment of Agriculture there exists an efficient State-wide organization of 

 specialists and agents prepared to do effective work in every county, the com- 

 mission urges this agency to take the lead in carrying on a campaign for pre- 

 paredness against the coming of the boll weevil. It is not too soon to begin 

 this work in every county in the State, but there is special need of immediate 

 action in the counties bordering the Georgia line. 



The people are urged to utilize to the utmost the resources of their agricul- 

 tural college, the State department of agriculture, the bulletins of the Federal 

 Department of Agriculture, and all other agencies that can be of assistance In 

 the coming campaign. 



There is great necessity for concerted action all along the line, because the 

 weevil will prove itself to be not only the farmers' burden, but an economic 

 problem common to all classes and all lines of business in the State 



10. In conclusion the commission would urge the wisdom of conservatism 

 even in diversification. It is best to make small beginnings alon" new lines 

 rather than risk too much. In the time remaining before the bolt weevil be- 

 comes established in this State our farmers should learn on a small scale how 

 to care for live stock and how to produce and market substitute crons If 

 this is not done, discouragements and serious loss may be the onlv result of 

 diversification. ' ■* ■^^=""- "'• 



wiser than their brothers in Louisiana and Mississippi, and bV prudent foi-^ 

 sight find It not .lecessary to carry once too often all their eggs in one basket 

 Respectfully, 



Richard I. Makning, Chairman. 

 Columbia,. S. C, November 23, 1916. 



O 



