Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1860-02-18
THE 'CHANGE WRITER OF THE CREs-
CENT.

issue OF the 9th inst, sets his mind at cas-
upon the subject of the AGO. 600 hid. crop
sugar, which he predicted in August last, ar
the result Of his prediction and the proc
thereof. We are fully satisfied that he be
lieves there would have been a crop Of hi
figures, had not the meteorological changes
which were cleverly inserted as provisos. pre-
vented it. We are more than pleased to Sc
that the Change writer argues and defend
his position with the true courtesy whicl
should be observed in discussing all such mat
tiers. Our main objection to his figures St
early in the season, was the impossibility o
any one being able at that time to predic
the figures of a sugar crop, by simply basins
his calculations upon what he could see from
the decks Of a steamer while taking a tou'
Of pleasure as far mp as Bayou Sara. Not one
half of the sugar section could be seen, and
the passer-by could not know the quantity OF
quality of the zane he saw. And upon 50
slim a foundation to make estimates is rather
drawing, in ou-opinion, strongly upon the
luldSiudttOH. 1SO" WIN I'll uuc ueleIeHGe u
the experience ard fgnres of the 'Change
writer Of the Crescent, we do not believe that
with the best of weather, without either
drouth or frost. the crop Of 1889 could have
reached 100000 h~ogsheads, and our reason
for SO saying is, that we do not believe there
was cane enough in the ground plant, ~rattoon
aud stubble, to make up our friends figures.
So far from there having been made only a
half crop, we have our reasons for believing
that a full two-thirds crop has been made !;
and if there was any way by which we could
arrive at the quantity and quality Of the cane
in the ground, which our friend saw flourish
ing so luxuriantly from the decks of the
Kenner in August last, we would wager a
basket Of CIiquot that a cop of 400, 900
hogsheads could not by any possibility be ci-
phered out. 1t is not to be expected that a
country editor can visit every plantation in
his parish, and form his opinions upon d crop
from personal observations and knowledge
He i compelledt 3 seek information from the
planter, and Il oftes, very often happens, that
the planters fears Of bis crop are greatly
overrated. To say the least Of il, the chances
accuracy are ~ no means the best. We
did certainly talk of drouth in August last
information we did not derive from the
p'anters-and very natur ally predicted a fall
ing off in our parish crop. In this We were
sustained by every one. Later, we predicted
q further falling of, caused by the frost, and
at the time we were apprehensive
that it would be reduced one-half, We do not
believe i: has been reduced more than one.
third.
Our friend must not place so harsh a con-
s%truction upon our motives for questioning
his fig ares. We only ask for a fair show in
the market. Predict nothing that may oper
ate against our interest-if crops are spoken
IF at all, speak Of them as they are-"n moth
ins extennate nor aught set down in malice.o
1t would be better, perhaps, were all specu-
|ations upon crops left until we have the final
report. We may speculate upon appearances,
not upon results. This plan would suit
Ill planters better than any other.
As to the g WOLF part of the article which
seems SO much to annoy our amiable friend,
The Change writer, we have to say that in
'ur opinion, the " talk " of foreign impcrta-
to reduce the prices Of home produc-
does not exactly tally with our ideas
If fairness. That is to say, the " talk" does
,ot constitute the "act.' If we were to
udge Of Financial operations upon the streets,
by the Il talk'' we should have a poor
to 60 by. "TaIk" is very easily
manufactured by interested parties, and if
who live away from the F" talk "
should see it announced in the columns of a
New Orleans paper that the "talkn is to re-
uce prices by foreign importations, and he
his crop to market in a hurry for fear
# a fall and then find that the I: talk" is all
'uncomb, there is Il great probability that
'e will become exasperated, and no longer
1--WE credence to such "talk." If it is posi-
lively known upon Change that the pri:es
# home productions must be reduced by sen.
ling abroad for the same produce, then let US
ave it in plain, good old. fashioned English,
nd not leave such important matters to the
mere talk" Of street corners. There is where
shire pinches, good Mr.. Change writer.
Long newspaper articles tire generally te-
|ious to the reader, and therefore we have
ndeavored to consult brevity as far as posi-
Moreover, there are no "wolves' il the
'o"ntry who howl +" short crops" when they
IRE fine and prosperous. Any country editor
who would make a statement Of that charac-
er, when the contrary exists, deserves to be
Kicked, and We are pleased to know that
uch men are extremely few and far between
n the press Of this State. We mean what