True Democrat., 1863-03-18
Planting on the Arkansas River.

We desire to present a few suggestions to the farmers and planters of the Arkansas river valley and other sections, hoping they are offered Tn tune to be entitled to their consideration. It is known that many persons removed their slaves and mules to the Red river country, and other places of safety, when they were in danger of falling into the hands of the invading federal army, and when no doubts were entertained of the policy of such removal. Their duty to our cause and to the country, as well as the consideration of preventing their property
 from falling into the hands of the vandals, dicta- ted such course. But the cause for such removal, we think, no longer exists. The Arkansas valley is no longer threatened by any federal force. The river has fallen almost to its usual Glow water mark,' and we may reasonably conclude that It will not again be sufficiently high to tempt the
 federal gunboats, before another crop can be made. l This, however, is matter upon which eur river planters are 50 well informed as to be able to ar rive at their own conclusions in regard to the tu- ture stage of the river, during this season Again; We need not apprehend invasion until the great problem of taking Vicksburs is solved, and from all indications there is prospect of decisive result there soon. We may reasonably conclude that it will be past boating stage in the Arkansas before the project ia given up. and it may be the enemy will tarry there until driven away by the summer heat. Such being the situation of affairs. we would suggest to the planters who removed their saves the importance o returning with their hands, or such of them can be speedily removed, !, to prevent too many fields remaining idle. When we reflect upon the fact that great majority of c ( II. .l. will at once see the absolute necessity of making the slave labor available in all parts of the State The army must be fed and the families of the brave yeouaanry of tho cnnntry. whn abandoned their fields to fight for freelom, must be provided for In short, the farming interest must not be neglec ted any where. There are many pursuits that may be suspended during time of war, but that of planting and producing from the soil can never be dispensed with. It was directed by Providence and it has ever been the main pillar of a country's struggle, in peace and in war
 If many farms upon the the liver are permitted to remain uncultivated, the country for miles ad- acent must inevitably suffer, whether the army re mians here not. No considerable section of country within our lines should be abandoned by the farmers; or, if abandoned, it should be reoccu-  pied as soon as the cause for removal ceases to ex i,t The failure to make crop here and there, will not cause such evil general failure.- Should 1t become necessary to abandon the grow ing crops on the approach of the enemy nothing will really be lost in the end, because all the open lands in the section of country to which the plan ters removed their hands will be cultva ted-and that section will be relieved also by the withdrawal of consumers which become producers else where. Another matter should also be considered failure to cultivate this year may mike it i'm possible to cultivate in that particular locality next year. Hence no large scope of country should be permitted to remain without cultivation. Shoald the general belief, that peace will be declared this year, be realized, this last consideration s still one of importance.