The Yazoo City Whig. [volume] (Yazoo, Miss.) 1844-1851, 1844-12-06
Observations to Planters.

The following admirable hints we find ad
dressed 10 the planters of South Carolin,, by
correspondent of the Southron Agricultu-
rst. We wish that they might reach and be
needed by all; for it is certain that the stock
of cotton on hand in Europe is fearfully lc>
cumuIating, and that so long as this process
is going on it must continue to fall. There
is no escaping this dilemma, and the soUner
our southern brethren look this matter in he
face and provide for it by Change of ys~
TEN, the better it will be for them. We hope
they will take these observations kindly, for
they are kindly meant.
"There is a partial mot complete remedy
for this evil, which take the liberty of sug-
costing through your pages. Let every cot
ton planter make il a rule and adhere strictly
to it, TO make no more cotton than he can
make clear Of his plantation expenses. Thai
is, let him pay all his plantation expenses by
other crops, and make only so much cotton
as will support his family, pay his debis, and
add 10 his properly. Many planters Isdare
say will answer, that they would be glad to
make enough Gotten TO pay their debts and
support their families. This may be true as
TO some, but in general it would be more
pert than true. Even these who are hardest
run, purchase corn, salt, negro clothes, &c i,
with cotton money. doubt il there is any
planter who could not produce enough for
maket, beside cotton, to pay for all these
things, and all plantation expenses. Some
are so situated, that they could sell corn alone
sufficient for the purpose. Let them increase
their corn crop then 10 that amount and d.
mnish cotton. Others again i: the corn
could not be sold, might feed it TO stock and
sell that. Ii will bear transportation, and
there is a great deal of foreign beef and ba.
con sold in the cotton region. Wheat and
-four in the middle and upper country, could
be made to pay these contingencies. Rice
will grow at the foot of the mountains and
command a good prce, and so will tobacco
Many could pay these expenses by cutting
timber and making shingles, slaves, &c
In short, there are few planters in the whole
cotton region, who might not by little di
version of labor, manage to make what cot
ton they do, clear of the expense Of produc.
ton, and do so probably. Let each planter
look around HIM, and see what his resources
are. do not invite him 10 make bis own
shoes, hats, blankets, clothes, salt, and iron
In most cases, others who are in these lines
can make these things and bring them to
his door cheaper than he can make them
himself. But be can follow the business he
understands, or at least is best prepared TO
carry on, and make something else besides
cotton TO pay for them.
81 know the folly of Recommending anv
measure to planters, requiring their combin~
ed action. recommend this TO each plant.
CT for his own indiUiduaI Advantage, as well
as for the sake of the whole. While il will
diminish the aggregate crop, If ii curtals bit
bale, it will teach each man to be indeDen-
dent, TO certain extent, of cotton specula
tors, open his eyes TO his own resources. and
gradually prepare the way for that change of
culture which is inevitable, and at hand for
all those who can not make a heavy bale 10
the acre. And would add, that every Dlar-
ter should as speedily as possible reduce his
culture 10 such land only as will make a heavy
bale per acre. If he has no such let him
make it-manure will soon do it. Cut down
the cotton, increase the corn and pea crop.
pen hogs, cattle and everything else on straw.
muck, weeds, &C., &C., and be will soon
have as mnch land that will raise him bale
TO the acre as he wants, If he makes no more
cotton than he makes clear.
81 preach no more than ! practice. am
mddleaged planter, and have nearly all
ways made my cotton crop clear. | have
suffered my share in the hard times, ano
have met, think, more than my average OF
losses; yet | have kept above board without
any stringent economy, mainly because /
have paid plantation expenses BY selling corr.