Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-08-08
Future Crops OF Cotton in the Uni-
ted STATES.

ted states.
1t is constantly argued by the copperhead
press, that with the destruction of slavery
will end the production of large crops of
cotton in the United States. Even the adj
vocates or emancipation are accustomed to
admit that the crop must be very small for
many years to come, and prices. consequent
ly. very high.
The writer predicts a rapid increase in the
annual crop from u date two years from the
end of the war, admitting that in the first
year or two after the war a very small crop
will be raised and he also predicts that
within ten years larger crops than were ever
before produced in the United States will
be raised
The argument is based upon the ascertain
cd facts in regard to the State of Texas.
Texas possesses the best cotton land in
the country her capacity to produce cot
ton is estimated at 10000. 900 bales. Her
climate is unequalled for health. Much the
largest part of her agriculture is performed
by the whites the cultivation of cotton.
however, being the most simple, requiring
no intelligence in the laborers when perform.
cd on the plantation system by large gangs
under overseers, is almost entirely carried
on by slave labor.
The standard for an ablcbodicd negro in
Texas is ten acres OF cotton and five of corn,
the latter producing sufficient food for him
self and family. The average product of
cotton per acre is 400 pounds, giving as the
salcable product of each field hand 1000
pounds of cotton.
In 1850 the crop of cotton in Texas was
405, 100 bales of 400 pounds each, requiring
as many acres of land. or less than one quar-
ter of one per cent. of the area of the state.
The rude laber of a slave, with heavy ill
adapted tools, produced 1000 pounds of
cotton per annum which was worth in 1859
and 1850, ten cents per pound, or S400.
Free and intelligent labor, using light and
wcll-adaptcd tools, would double the pro-
duct of the slave, provided extra assistance
could he procured in the picking season :;
but as this may not he, it is unsafe to csti-
mate the product of free luborcr at over
G,000 pounds per annum.
1t is not believed that the price of the
small crops ot cotton raised immediately
after the war will be less than 25 cents per
pound.
The first crops of the free laborer in Texas
will. therefore, bring him in II cash income
of 300 per annum, with less hard labor
than is required to raise II crop of corn in
New England, and in more healthy eli
mate.
In 1850 the slave population of Texas was
SO, ,lG1; in 1860 it was 1872 ,jG6. Per cent.
increase, 2l3,S9l 90.
The surplus increase of Texas was 1l0,S4
known to consist almost entirely of prime
field hands, worth on an average $500 each
mostly placed upon the cotton fields, and
representing capital of S55, ,3S7 900.
Now, ii cash receipt of SiO0 per hand
has caused an emigration, 10y purchase, from
the slayc-brecding states, requiring the pay
ment of five and half millions of dollars
each year, what will be the emigration
caused by u cash return of $500 per an
mum upon emigrants representing in them
selves no invested capital, but needing only
the prospect of such profit to induce them
to move themselves
Surely the prouuct of free labor must in
crease i'll the next ten years in rs rapid II
ratio us the product of slave labor has in
creased in the past ten years.
The increase in the crop of cotton in Texas
has been greater than the increase of. slaves.
/. Bccause the profit has already induced
its cultivation to some extent 10y free labor /;
.. Because the building of railroads and
other improvements in inland transportation
has opened II large amount of cotton coun-
try;
3. Because large section which was sup
posed to be fit only for grazing is found to
be cotton land Of the best kind.
The crop of cotton in Texas in 1850 was
5S,012 bales in 1860 it was S405, 100 bales,
or seven times us much as in 1850.
Ii free labor in ten years from the end of
the war shall only develop the cotton land
OF Texas as rapidly as slave labor has done,
her crop of cotton will be nearly 5000. 900
bales, requiring for its cultivation less than
two per cent. of her area.