Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21
From the Mobile Advertiser.

q 10
MoBILE, Ala, Feb. Is, l851.-Dcar Sir Will
you be SO kind asto publish the appended extract
from an address recently delivered by Col. r. H.
Ward. before the Green County (Ga-) Agricultural
Society The opinion he has expressed in refer
ence to the capacity of the South to produce crop
much. if any larger than it has already done in
other words that it is probable the maximum pro-
ducon has been reached and the necessity that the
planters should pursue different policy from that
pursued in regard to the disposal of their crops
are very coincident with opinions have recently had
occasion to express publicly. The everage produc-
ton of the last Is years 039 SCI bales of the
last ten, 2,117433 and of the last five, 22l0,
The average weight of American bales in ordinary
seasons is 467a lbs, Owing to the pecularities of
the last year, the average will be at least 80 pounds
less. Assuming crop of 2, 10000 bales, at the
usual average, the deficiency will be equal to 1885,
600 bales OF cotton. reducing the crop now coming
forward to 2025,OO0 bales of an average of 467l
lbs. The planters cannot keep their crops under
their own control so long they continue to mort
gage them in advance of or even AFTER their maturi
ty. R.
"On the American continent, comparatively a
small region can successfully and lucratively
produce the cotton plant. Within the last 10 years
the increase in the production of cotton in the u S.
has been so immateria to induce the belief that
the maximum capacity of production has been near
ly reached. The increased culture of sugar, upon
soils that would perhaps, have been confined to cot
ton had the price been more remunerating, and the
rapid deterioration of the SOIL successfully titled in
its production in the older States have efectualy
prevented that over-production which, at one time
it was apprehended would overstock the markets of
the world, and drive the planter to other pur
suit Instead, however, of our cotton bales accumu-
latng in such numbers to lessen the value of the
staple beneath the cost of production, the limited
supply hand, and the doubtful prospect of the flu
ture, clothe the fact with more than ordinary con-
Germ to the foreign manufacturer.
why, then, have the cotton planters been coer-
ced to submit to prices below remuneration With
out attempting to assign all the supposed to
be instrumental in producing the anomalous state of
things, (for the task would be tedious and irksome
to you and the time have allowed myself would not
permt) two prominent reasons need only be noticed
The apparent want of harmonious counsel and &C
ton among the planters themselves in the sale of
their cotton, and the entire control which the LV-
erpool merchants have exercised American cot
ton. Unity of action has long been desideratum
among the cotton planters in the disposal of their
cotton crops At least five out of the last ten have
passed from the hands the producer at prices poor
ly remuneratve for the labor and expense incurred
in the production. If material portion of the sup
ply of cotton necessary to meet the annual demand
was retained by the producers whenever the price
ruled below the standard of remuneration it is not
doubted it would have most salutary influence in
imparting stability and confidence to the markets,
followed by enhancement of prices. The price of
the great staple of the South can, and should be, to
a just extent, controlled by its producers'