Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-02-28
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PROVISIONS THE PREskNT YEAR.
By far the most important problem which
remains to be solved during the present year,
says tho Montgomery Alabama1 4asertiser, is
that in regard to provisions. Thus far the
country and the army have been sustained
without great %difRqilsy, thanks to The prudent
foresight and patriotism Of the producing
classes but, this year, owing to the fact that
a considerable portion Of country, from which
last year supplies were drawn, is now in the
hands Of the enemy, and that a stnl larger
extent Of country has been d~esolated and laid
waste by the contending armies, greater exer-
fons viii be necessary, or tie people viii suffer
aud the cause perish. Last year, it viii be
remembered, 50 great q breadth Of land was
devoted to wheat, corn and other cereals and
vegetables. that many supposed the supply Of
articles Of food would be superabundant, and
remarkably cheap. i was thought the price Of
provisions would net pay the cost of produc-
ton, and hundreds who devoted the larger
portion Of their land to breadstaFl did Sc more
from a sense of duty than fron eIy belief that
they would reap a pecnniaTy reward from their
labors. Some, without patriotism or foresight
enough to guide them, planted largely in cotton
in the hope that the ports would be opened in
time for them to realize a fortune from their
crops, but in this they have been disappointed.
As is well known, the last wheat crop of the
country, from various causes, proved almost q
complete failure, while the extraordinary
drought Of the summer greatly diminished sIl
other crops, snd the consequence was that there
has been no surplus in the markets, and proyis-
ions of ell kinds have been sold at unprece-
dentedly high prices. Wheat -four has gone be-
You'd the reach of men Of moderate means, and
corn commands 3 price which is almost sppal
ing to those who have not independent fortunes.
This condition Of things ought TO be a strong
iad1cement to our planters to endeaver to raise
large crops Of corn, oats, potatoes. peas, carrots.
p~srsnips, beets, turnips, and every sort of vege-
table capable of being used as food. There is
no danger Of overstocking the market; scarcity
is the only thing to be feared. Profit and patri-
otism both urge the policy eff planting for pro
visions. They are certain to command e good
pl4Co1 ehA Will moAS q DCttoL icbuAA lI tdDoI
than could be hoped for under the most fsvora-
bic circumstances from the same breadth ofland
devoted to cotton.
The people at home and tie armies in The
field must be fed. The soldiers cannot fght oar
battes unless their craving fo5 food is satisfied.
The enemy may not be able to conquer US, but
starvation certainly win, unless the planters of
the C~onfederacy resolve to do their duty, aud
plant nothing but articles for food. Let no one.
be deceived with the cry of peace. It is delu-
sive, and viii lure the country to destruction if
listened to-. If it comes within the year, well
our surplus bEeadstufs viii fad a ready market,
aud if it does not. We shall be all the better
prepared for war, if cur granaries and store
houses are full. The snrsst way to obtain
peace is to make vigorous preparations for war,
and IN 40 way can the country be SO well pre-
pared to meet the shock Of battle as By atsen-
ton to the matter of food. The planters of the
Confsderaey are appealed to by every consider
alton which can induce men to labor, to spare
NJ efert TO increase toe supply of provisions.
II they do their duty faithfully, they may ex-
pect to receive the blessings Of heaven, the
gratitude Of their fellow men, and enjoy the
consciousness Of having contributed in no
insignificant manner toward the independence
and happiness Of their country.