Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-01-10
THE COTTON CROP.

to the Charleston Mercury the suboined Interesting
facts in relation tothe cotton CROP the reprodnc-
ton of which we think our readers will thank US:
WAsHMGToN, Dec. ~, 1856.
GENTLEMEN: Believing, as do, that systematic 4
effort has been carried for years, in this country
and in England, by spectators and manufacturers
of great staple, Cotton, to swell the estimates of
the annual production, in order that it may be OBJ
taned from its honest producers, at less than its
real and intrinsic value; and desirous,i if cam to
afford the planters of the South aid by which
they may be induced to realize better price, by
holding their crops until the demand forces fair
and jest value-I have concluded to send you the
result of an inquiry, which, for my own satisfaction
/ instituted here, and which may have some effect
in accomplishing my object
| see that several estimates have recently been
published and sent to England, varying from $780,
600 to 100000 bales, neither Of which, in my judy
ment. will Fkely be realized.
twill be recollected that, last year, we had the
credit of making $500, goo bales, and, believe
about that quantity went to the ports but is well
known that of that, considerable portion was of
the crop of 1854, which had been retained in Ala
bana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas and perhaps
in part of Louisiana, in consequence of low rivers
and want of transportation, until long after the
month of September the usual time of making up
the estimates. l have never heard that portion
tmated at less than 100000 bales, and, an, in-
clncd to believe it would approach $50 900.
Be this it may, $500 600 bales thrown into
ring in Europe, for about five y onths of the
first of the season, with high rate of interest for
money in England and hg her rate of prices for
provisions than usual throughout the civilized world,
and let the whole crop was sold, leaving no extra
ordinary accumulation in Liverpool, and command
| ing, at the very last of the sales in this country,
! about - cents per pound.
In addition to this it is very we'll known that the
crop Of last year more completely sold out at
| the commencement of the present than has been
| in md tba
season found Europe in peace with no serious fall
| ing off Of the provision crop anywhere, with
known reason why money matters should be as
stringent as last year, with prices of almost every
thing ranging higher than usual and Australia and
California yielding their usual supply of gold.
Bearing these facts in mind let me refer to
the result of my inquiry, among members of Con-
gress (without concert tosethe from different parts
OF every cotton growing State in the Union, many
of whom are planters, and nearly all of whom left
| home after the picking season far advanced,
and whose statements, in writing, have before
me.
In Texas. Gen. Rusk thinks the crop will exceed
that of 1885, by 80 per cent, in consequence of in
| crease OF land in cultivation and hands from immi-
| grafton
! In Arkansas Senator J, hnson estimates the crop
at 10 per cent increase, in consequence Of extended
cultivation from immigration. Mr.. Greenwood the
same Mr.. Rust THINKS the crop will be short in his
district 90 per cent. the lands cultivated in 1885,
but makes estimate from extended cultivation.
In Louisiana, Mr.. Sandige estimates the crop as
20 per cent. short of the crop of 1856
In Mississippi, Mr.. Bennett estimates the crop at
one-tEiri less than the crop Of 1855 Mr. Barksdale
the same that is, at onethrd short; Gen. Quitman
at oncthrd Short Mr. Lake at one-fourth short and
Mr.. Wright at one-iourth short
In Alabama, Mr.. Shorter estimates the crop at
one fourth short of 1865; Mr. Dowtell ome-third
short Mr. Harris ne-third short; Mr. Cobb at one
fourth short and Mr. Houston at one half short
In Georgia. Mr.. Crawford represents the crop at
374 per short Of last year Judge Warner one.
third short; Mr.. Stephens two thirds short; Mr..
Foster at 60 per cent. shurt and Mr. "TRIP from 373
to 80 per cent. short.
In Tennessee, Mr.. Rivers (Memphs) represents
the crop onc-haf short of 1855; Mr.. Wright one
half short; Mr. Jones ne-third short, and Mr.. Ready
(Midlic Tcnn.) much as last year.
In North Carolina, Mr.. Crage estimates the crop
at one-thi.d short Of 1855.
| In Florida, MIR. Maxwell estimates the crop as
short, decidedly, but makes estimate.
in South Carolina, Mr.. Orr estimates the crop at
one fourth short of 1855; Mr.. kett at one-third
short; Mr. Brooks at e-fourth short, and Mr. Boyce
and myself at more than one fourth short
BY reference to these estimates, it may be seen
tina; Texas will make twenty per cent. increase
trcme; Arkansas ten per cent. extreme; Louisiana
twenty per cent. short. In Mississippi three esti-
mates make the crop one-third short and two one
fourth short, which would justify estimate at
more than one-fourth deficit. In Alabama two
Inmates give onc-iourth falling off, two third,
and one one-half, which indicates average of
little less than one-th third deficit. In Georgia, the
greatest falling off is two-thirds of the crop and
the least is than one-third, giving as a fair
average, but little more than half crop through
out the State. In Tennessee, the two most npor-
tant districts estimated onehalf of a crop, one
at wothrds, and :ull crop, (Alr Ready'S) whe
the cotton is manufactured at Nashville, and does
affect the estimate at the ports. North Carolina
gives falling off of one-third. IT. Florida the crop
is estimated short. In South Carolina the aver
age deficit is estimated at slightly % per cent
1t will be from this, that general estimate of
one. fourth deficit the entire cotton CROP would
be less than might be stated upon the above data !;
still, however, let make the estimate upon that
basis, and assuming, | think. correctly, :he real
, crop grown in 1885 TO have been $4,000 bales,
and the present crop onefOurth short, being $685.
600 bales, have, as the crop grown this year, q
075 900, which will not be greatly exceeded, not
withstanding there is, in all the States in
creased cultivation, and greater number of hands
employed Many of these hands only produce
increased quantity in their fields, while their
labor is loss to the States from whence they
, taken.
! 1t may be we'll remarked in this connection, that
while there is increase of production from ex-
tended cultivation in the newer States, there is a
corresponding falling off from the deterioration ia.
king place constantly old plantations in the old
er States It is. however, equally true that there
hands carried out from the non-cotton- growing
= States, whose labor adds to the annual increase of
= the culture of cotton. Therefore, in view of all
these things in making liberal estimate of the &C
tual crop, MAY add 225, 900 bales TO the number
estimated above, which gives the outside total as
2,70O, 900 bales, which, probably, will be found to
be about the amount produced
Il presume it is hardly necessary for me to say,
that no speculative inducement has influenced me
in obtaining the foregoing information. ac-
" tuated, in the beginning, from desire to info' n,
. myself a cotton grower in regard to the sale OF
| Oxrnc (yh 10 flchrr t