The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-01-27

diminish the cotton crop in the same pro-
portion, it would follow that each indi-
vidual planter would derive as large a
nett income from his diminished cotton
crop, as he would have derived from one
a tenth larger, if he purchased his stock,
even supposing that the diminished cotton
crop brought no higher price than could
have been obtained for the larger one
But here we realize the grand result of
the proposed reform in our agricultural
economy.
1t is a well established principle of po-
litical economy, confirmed by the uniform
experience of the cotton planting States,
that when the supply Of commodity ex-
ceeds the effective demand, the price is
diminished, not in proportion to the excess,
but in still greater proportion. If, then,
we assume thattheproposed reform would
reduce the annual cotton crop from two
millions of bales, to one million eight hum
dred thousand, and that the effective de-
mand of the world would not exceed the
latter number, it would clearly follow
from the above stated principle that the
smaller crop of one million eight hundred
thousand bales, would yield a greater in
come than the larger crop of two millions
of bales. In the habitual state of our cot
ton trade, with a constant tendency in the
production to exceed the demand, such
would always be the result of diminished
production where no extraordinary cases
existed to check consumption. 1t results
from this reasoning, that the planting
States would realize from the universal
adoption of the proposed reform, a clear
aggregate saving of the sum now annual
ly expended in purchasing live stock; and
that each individual planter, besides great
ly increasing the comforts Of his establish
ment, would add ten per cent. to his clear
annual income. Entirely satisfied, as
am, of the soundness of this reasoning,
and the business of the conclusion to
which it leads, | am aware that it is ex-
posed to an apparent objection. 1t may
be very naturally asked, how it happens
that the planters, class of men sufficient
ly intelligent to understand their own in
terests, should, generally, pursue course
so little calculated to promote it? A suf-
fcient answer will be found.fo this ques-
ton, in the force of established habits, the
mistaken ambition which makes the point
of honorable distinction consist in the
number of cottof bales, and above all,
the unfortunate habit so generally preva-
lent among planters, of neglecting their
own business, and confding it to the ex-
elusive management of overseers. 1t is
a duty which every planter owes, not only
to himself, but to his country as a matter
of example, to give his personal supern-
tendance to his business, and make HIM
self master of all its details. He can
scarcely deserve to own an estate, who
from false pride or indolent selfindul-
gence, remains in voluntary ignorance of
the various operations upon which its pro-
ductiveness depends, and relies exclusive
ly upon agents who are practically ire
sponsible, and in general, grossly incom-
petent. Certain it is, that no general re-
form or improvement in our agricultural
economy, will ever be made by overseers,
agents who are employed from year to
year, who have no interest in any perma-
nent Improvement, and who are generally
actuated by the motives of tenant at will
which prompt them to aim at large cot
ton crop the present year, without any re-
gard to the future. or to the subsidiary
branches of a sound system of economy.
Every planter who has attempted such re-
forms or improvements as have suggest.
ed, can testify how utterly impossible it is
to make overseers, generally, realize their
importance, or bestowupon them sufficient
attention to insure their successful cxccu.
ton. Let it, then, be regarded as the point
of honor with every planter, to attend
personally to his plantation, and make
himself master of every branch of its
operations and economy. This is an in.
dispensable preliminary step to all useful
Improvements in our agriculture, and is
equally demanded by every consideration
of private interest and public duty.
Another mischievous error in our plant
ing economy, proceeding partly from the
mistaken ambition of making large count
of cotton bales, and partly from the un-
uncalculating habits acquired during high
prices, is exhibited in the general careless.
ness with which cotton is picked out of