Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1862-03-05
Plantation Work for the Year 1862.


Plantation Work for the Yenr 1862.
Some months ago we referred to the
importance of planting this years crop. q
broader area of land in litr.SuSta;nng veg
ctabics than has ever before been set apart
for this purpose Since thut time many
of the ablest journals have taken up
the subject and expressed their editors
views freely, but scarcely any two of
them make suggestions alike. Some ar
que that no cotton should be planted this
year except foi' use upon such plantations
rs are destitute of the staple. Others
recommend the pitching Of one.fourth,
while others still advise one.half the usual
amount of cotton.
We are clearly of the opinion that, if
cotton must be planted, the least quantity
of the seed put into the ground the bet
ter. both for the planters and the country
at large. We assert broadly our humble
opinion, that if the next arrival from Eu.
rope brings the announcement of the re-
cognition of the Confederate States by
the Powers of all Christendom, and if
the blockade of our ports should be raised
the next day, the true interest of the
planters would not lead them to cultivate
a half crop Of cotton. If the blockade
were raised now, it must be remembered
lhat there ere about 1000: 900 bales ready
to he pushed upon the markets, and
half crop produced this year would swell
the amount to 100000 bales, which
would be seeking market before plant
ing time next year.
Now, what would be the effect Of thus
exporting six millions bales to market in
fourteen months? Can any rcfccting
mind believe that FIVE cents per pound
could be realized from the extra two
millions, in flce OF the fact that full
crop would be planted next year? If
we produce 100000 bales this year, i'll
the event of peace being declared, We
shall surely produce 100000, perhaps.
100000, in 1868 and years following;
and. thus. the two million or half crop Of
1862 would rest as an incubus upon the
prices of cotton-an incubus which could
not or would not be shaken of for years
to come.
1t is believed tfat the largest provision
crops the South had ever produced were
raised last year. 1t is known that last
winter and spring Southern boats, wharves
aud Storehouses were crowded with West
ern grain, bacon, etc. Yet, with both ad-
vantages lnang, very many, worthy fami.
lics--therc is no use of conceaiing the
fact-arc this day suffering for bread and
meat, because of the scarcity and conse-
quent high prices demanded for these es-
senlials of life. Planters themselves
complain that although they have cotton,
yet they have no money and cannot com
mand money without ruinous sacrifice
Of cotton. Now what wonld be the effect
il planters could transform their cotton
to grain, pork, bacon, mutton and beef!
They could at once obtain money in any
sums needed. This money, or portion
of it, would be put into circu lation. Mr..
\. would pay MIR. b. and Mr.. B. would
pay that little account of mr.. Somebody
else, and so on, until all became in a
measure reieved from prosunt cmbar-
rassmcnt At present, with gin and store
houses crowded with the kingly staple,
MIR. Everybody pays Mr.. Nobody, and
Mr.. Nobody pays Mr. Anybody.
We doubt if there is 4 sing lie planter
now Holding cotton who does not regret
that he did not produce more provisions
last year.
Something has been said about holding
u Planters Convention, to agree upon and
recommend the proportion Of cotton to
be planted this year, While We do not
oppose tic holding Of ss:ch Convention
We have no faith in its utility. We do
not believe such Convention would be
worth the time and money it would cost
the individuals composing it. If there is
u planter in the laud who does not know
his own interest and his duty to the coan-
try at large, u Convention might hold to
doomsday without ever being able 10
teaca him.-AIontgolncry Mail.