The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-03-18
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~ sfATlsT1css ny J. ID. b. DEBow-pp. IS.
ma. DeBow has with clearness shown the i'm
portance Of statistical knowledge for the purpose
o. practical legislation and we think also pfoves
ms own acquaintance with this branch Of potca
economy During the past year nothing has beer
ma'nree ies publication but he promises TO present
report to the next Legislature, which shall en-
body all the information he can procure the many
interesting topics connected with this bureau We
think him eminently fitted to This task But while
we thus compliment his sbors, past and future, we
must enter protest against converting his official
reports into agents for the diffusion of designating
doctrines. Mr.. DeBow tarred too long in South
Carolina, not to be tainted with the lamentable
heresles of his own peevish, fretful, irascible,
though gallant little State. Louisiana is too
closely connected with the great producing States
of the West to secede from the Union South
Carolina only wants her railroad to the Ohio to be-
come as fond of the Union as Louisiana.
He advances the idea that these statistical tables
should be prepared, so that we may know our own
strength and be prepared the event of any crisis to
the Union. This portion of his report is decidedly
in bad taste. He is paid to collect information about
the productions Of the State not to preach lectures
on Federal politics.
For Mr. DeBow personally we have the highest
regard, but we must condemn his official conduct
in this particular. We have enough of the slavery
question without mixing it up in our State politics
We wish that the space he dsvotes to this subject
had been filed with more interesting matter
1t was a rule with Dr. Parr, the celebrated
schoomaster, to spare the ounces but to whip the
geniuses. Nowour worthy Superintendent, though
not genius is sensible, well-informed man. espe-
ciaily IN the department of political economy, and
We therefore have no patience with his Quixotic
essay. We could pardon il in man without brains,
but mot in Mr. DeBow. We publish two para.
graphs from his introductory Report:
Louisiana AgyIcultz9s-T sugar industry il
every year becoming more considerable'in LOUISE
ana, and IS extending through the other Southern
states. How far greater can this crop be stimu-
!ated, and under what discouragements? We call
Il forced crop, but skill in machinery and en-
hghtened management, have compensated much. |
Is but few years since science has been applied
and Its strides have been amazing. We only now
begin to inquire the conditions of prosecuting sue.
cessfully this industry. Planters seek for light |
rom every source, and communicate their informa-
non freely. Can We compete with the West In
dies with freetrade system, and with our highest
improvements for the whole demand of the Union,
and in foreign markets? What are the limits Of |
this supply and demand? DR.. Evans suggests to
the planters preservation Of notes upon many points,
% which we add others of our own, Chemical
character OF soil Mode Of cultivation pursued'
: Nature and quality of manure . weight Of
cane per acre Their description, whether plants,
etc, age, etc.," Quantity of Juice ex
pressed :. Density of that fluid, and other pecu.
arties J" Amount of sugar and molasses OBJ
tanned; And OF force employed - Kind and
Of fuel; Expense of machinery and
improvements p Results in drainage p Physi-
cal condition and vitality of slaves " Expense of
food, clothing, ETC. - 'tProducts etc
Millions OF dollars are lost to the South from the
mPosslblfty OF obtaining reliable information about
the cotton crops Prescriptions will take the high
est figure in doubt, and the BUYERS control the
price. Sales effected before the full effect Of
in short crop can be known and have
an influence. 1t is difficult to propose a remedy
but such may possibly be devised. In fact the |
whole cotton interest has been badly understood
ana the notions OF the wisest prove grossly wrong
Sufficient facts have not been observed and re-
corded. The capacity to produce has been esteemed
uhlihlted-the disposition and ability to consume
limited lhe cry OF oyer-production went ont of |
course, and intelligent talked of converting the
planters to reduce the supply. How much have
sueh opinions depressed the industry? Had the
acts been carefully compared and preserved it
would have been seen the average producing power
$ UNITED rceedtngLy liniited-that the climax
has been, perhaps, reached estimating the working |
orce to be used and the appropriate lands and that
ne demand is at least equal and very likely greater
nan inns limit; The figures for the present year,
aSng the world over, will show an actual and con- |
nderable deficit, Shall supply ever again overtale
lemand?
Agricultural Societies and Rairs.-The eause
II agriculture and the arts can be promoted in no
way more etiectually than by the Institution of So
,le9es, shows and fairs. The turf is applauded for
Is influences stock, but is there nothing for The
competition and rewards of public exhibitions
perhaps every State in the Union is in advance of
LOUISIANA with respect to agricultural societies,
md no State could derive more substantial benefit
rom them. The Legislature should encourage
ach associations, and there are ways of doing il.
lven our agricultural publications come nearly all
rom the North, and are of little use to u.s. A me-
norlal has been sent to Congress from MARYLAND | I
raging donation of public lands for the promo.
on OF agriculture in the several States. Agrcul-
!, lrai seoleges are among the appropriate means
ne Secretary Of the Interior suggests an Agricul-
iral Department at Washington What the Gov
NOR o. Virginia says in his last message is true of
lost OF the States While Virginia has extended
nth great liberality assistance to education and
orks OF improvement, she has never given to agri.
llture any encouragement whatever. Louisiana
Ills upon Congress to restore her degeneratino
ne by importations from the East, and give
'nnty to the lk-grower Cannot her Statistical
Meau, IN some such way, be connected with
riculture, as to cooperate with State Agricul-
raj Society and perform certain duties assigned
.ltf This is worthy of reflection L
The South has always been remiss in encour n,
ement to the mechanic arts. The splendid exhf- 8
ions made by this department of industry at the as
orth, and particularly in New York, attracts hun G
eds OF thousands OF spectators annually The ID
rs In France and England are on a scale of great
ignlhcence Thus far, there have been but few 7
the Southern States. Does the genius of inven-
m necessarily dwell at the North, or have we not
lshed it by our Encouragement The late
lendid fair at Charleston, which included the pro-
cts OF Carolina, Georgia, ETC.. in nnumerable -
antitier, and most exquisite skill and finish is
umphant vindication of the South Premiums :,
ere allotted in every department The products ",
southern industry have even taken premiums
ely at the North. In Louisiana, our fairs were
different scale, but they should be in the me-
polls and it is not doubted they would give
lnuius to the arts in this quarter, which would,
time, destroy our subserviency. The artisan, as
II as the merchant, rules the world and there is
better proof than the approaching fair of all ma
MS to beheld in London, and over which Prince
bert is to preside.
Dfods
IN Sunday, 18th inst a osclocL Jou,, Co.,-. |