Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-10-22
AGRICULTURAL.
INTERESTING TO PLANTERS

L
In our Southern States, planters have
neglected too much that amount of farm-
ing which is necessary to their proper in
terest. So long as the management OF
crops is chiefly left to overseers, and the
owner allows them to have their own way,
pride Fesprit dc corps mako thon, go aIono
for the "main chance" Ii cotton plant.
er makes a good crop of cotton and toll
cradle one of corn, it is generally cons-
dered that he is doing well-especially it
he has to buy only a little corn. Most men,
who consider themselves practical men,
and 90 for five Or six bales to the hand,
say nothing if the overseer gets in
the quota Of cotton. They sell their cot
ton and buy corn, and sometimes they buy
pork for bacon. But OH these plantations
il is rare thing for regular allowance
of meat TO be given out. 1t is an old say
ing, familiar to the farmer, that g bought
corn never fattens any thing" and there
is much truth in the remark With most
planters large crop OF cotton is aimed at,
and habit and faith in the advance of the
market, always makes them look to cotton
alone. A portion of land, it is true, is set
apart for provisions, but this is usually a
minor consideration. Cotton is the Oh
ject five, six, or ten bales are the in
ducements to strain the negroes, the land
and the mules and when the mules are
broken down, they have two or three
months, when the crop is laid by, to fatten
on pasture; and If the land is exhausted, 9th
or lands are substituted. If the provision
crop is short, ii has to be supplied
work animals have to be supported-and
the negroes have to be ted--and economy
is now the order of the day. Stock, which
every planter has, must live or die accord
ing to their power of endurance, or the
mildness or severity of the season, and the
planter hopes for better season next wear
or as Jacob Faithful has it, " better luck
next time" This is too common with US,
and for the sake of the country ought not
to be so. If man is heavily in debt, and
obliged to furnish large amount from his
"only chance" there may be some ex.
cuse; but for planters generally, who in
our State owe but little, to push every
plough and strain every nerve, how much
their land suffers, merely to make as much
or more to the hand than his neighbor, we
look upon as bad policy
We are reasoning upon the fixed axiom
that we are to stay where we are, ard not
10 be living the life of the wandering
Arabs, seeking soils to exhaust, and to
work out our fortunes at the expense of
ouI mother country.
We are Tor lmparting value, if we can,
10 our own SOLVE are TOR saving and
putting IN as we'll as taking out-and we
hope to see our planters, now in state of
wakefulness to their true interests, press
on with vigorous exertions in the good
cause. 1t is thought by many that now no
rich land is TO be brought among us--that
TO be successful agricuturlsts, we must
seek another soil in new State. Is this
always 10 be the feeling of our planters
Is South Carolina, an indulgent and foster
ing mother, TO be deserted and forsaken
for few bales Of cotton, and no other
more valuable consideration Are The
bonds which bind us to her soil to be Sc
vered by the desire for little more TEN.
porary gain, and all other interests left for
nought We hope not. The experi-
ence Of most of vur friends who have dc.