The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-20

VIII mOOCo, AODeVlIlc u. II.
Julius Poppe. Anderson G. II.
CottOn-Fncts and Estimates,
BRANDON, HISS, March 21, 1866.
To tie Editors Of the National Mteui-
gencer:
As statements are sometimes being
made that the cotton crop of 1866
will exceed in quantity any hereto
fore raised, perhaps it is due to the
consumers, as well as to the produ-
GERS, Of the snowy staple-embracing
in that category, rs it does, so large
portion of the civilized world-to
adduce some facts, which, it is be-
lieved, will convince any one that the
crop of the Southern States for the
present year cannot exceed 1000, 600
bales. Indeed, it is the opinion of
many intelligent planters that it will
fall far short of that number. Some
writer's, evidently unacqn;sinted with
the subject, even indulge the exube-
rance Of their fancy so fur rs to esti-
mate the next crop at 1000, 900 to
5000, 600 bales. Such estimates
appear simply ridiculous to those who
have devoted much time to the cul-
ture of cotton. A little reflection
will afford an easy explanation for
the origin of such fabulous conclu-
sions.
In the first place, it must be borne
i'll mind that soon. after the surrender
of the Confederate armies, when the
negroes came to appreciate in all its
fullness and force that they were
really free, and no mistake, they
focked, almost en naasse, from the
remote Counties to the towns and vii
lnges along the railroads and rivers,
leaving, in many localities where,
prior to the war, majority Of the
population consisted of negroes,
scarcely freedman to be found.
This exodus from the remote Sec
tions, and consequent influx along
the different thoroughfares, appear
natural and reasonable when the
freedman's proverbial fondness for
railroads and steamboats, is taken
into consideration. Correspondents
and others passing through the coun-
try, and seeing the crowds lounginp
around the towns and villages, very
naturally concluded that The co.ntry
possessed snper-abundance Of la
borers, and reported accordingly.
And now, when the announcement is
made that the freedmen have gene
rally gone to work, the supposition
abroad Is, that an unprecedented
yield of cotton will be the result.
no allowance being made for the
thousands of beautiful and fertile
fields doomed to lie uncultivated. be-
cause of the great insufficiency and
uncertainty of labor.
In the next place, it must not be
forgotten that the number of labor
ers at present engaged in making cot
ton does not exceed, at the fullest
estimate, three-ffths OF the number
80 employed before the war, and it is
not safe to calculate that those three
fifths will do more than half the labor
which the same number did while in
state of slavery
NOW, three-fifths of the laborers.
doing half as much labor as the same
number, will give three -tenths OF u
full crop-in other words, three
tenths of 1000, 900 bales. eoual To
l,2O0, 900 bales, everything else, be-
sides the quantity and quality of the
labor, being equal.
But due allowance must be made
for the inadequate protection afforded
by the levees on the Mississippi River
and its tributaries-for the ruined
and washed condition of the mapy
plantations deserted during the war.
and which, being in comparatively
rongh and wild state, will be more
liable to those disasters which occur.
to greater or less extent, every
year-for the great scarcity and infe-
rior quality of teams, and for the
bad condition and insufficiency of
farming implements. These, and
many other causes, to say nothing of
the ofieious interference of the Bu-
reau, which occasionally happens,
will, most assuredly, reduce the next
crop to l,G00, o00 bales or under.
1t is much to be regretted that.
while the conduct Of majority OF
the United States officers among MS
has been unexceptionable, some few
have SO far forgotten themselves as to
encouraged spirit of animosity among