New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-07
GOING SOUTH.

Notwithstanding the unsettled condition OF the
country, many Northern farmers went South in the
early months of this year for the purpose of planting
cotton. Many Others persuaded that great induce
ments were offered for the production OF cotton crop
would have accompanied their neighbors' but iounu
il impossible to make the necessary arrangements III
time for the planting season. Others stu wOuld giauy
have gone but were restrained for want OF DEFINITE
knowledge as to localities most congenal to Northern
settlers. Those who went, and who used reasonable
Judgment in selecting and stocking plantations send
us encouraging reports.
The inducements to embark in the enterprise re-
main about the same as at the beginning OF the year.
There is no immediate prospect of material decline
in the price of cotton and there is much good land
ready for the plow lying uncutvated awaiting capt.
tai and labor to make it productive. The Southern
planters have always been short Of capital, and as
rule lived at least year in advance OF their IN
comes. The Rebellion overlook them deeply III
debted to the merchants and the close OF the war IN
yolved both planter aud factor in bankruptcy, from
which they can be released only by the introduction
of means from abroad. Most plantations not now
under cultivation destitute of everything but good
soil and an abundance of timber The requirements
to convert these to use are, first of all, capital-at
least So 900, with which to procure aud support ten
laborers, six mules three pows, two wagons, and
small implements in sets of half dozen each, for
every hundred acres of land to be cultivated. In pos
session of the money the planter can procure all the
other articles in the South There is scarcity Of
labor enterprising merchants have shipped to every
Southern city and considerable village plantation sup
plies of every kind, and droves Of mules from Texas
and the West are offered for sale in every county and
parish where there is money to buy them.
In the Southern States as elsewhere some sections
are settled by intelligent Industrious and lawabding
people, who would gladly welcome men from the
North who come with capital and industry to cultivate
the soil Other portions Of the country are settled by
ignorant, sefconceed braggarts who affect to
despse honest labor and are hostile to any aud all
who BY precept or example run counter TO their own
narrow notions 1t will not be difficult to pick out
the desirable communities they are found in almost
every one of the Cotton States, and will readily be
distinguished by an intelligent agent who may be
sent out TO select place for the formation of settle
ment. Georgia Alabama, Arkansas Louisiana, and
Texas are settled in all their most fertile and desirable
tracts by hospitable people In Central Alabama
from Montgomery to Gainesville, on the Tombigbee
River is one of these localities where both the people
and the soil would be acceptable. On Bayou Boeui
in Louisiana and, if the overflow can be pre-
vented, on Bayous De Glaze and Tethe, and in
the Red River country, from Alexandria to the
Texas line. the inhabitants would rejoice at the OPP
portunty to revive the prosperity of their beautiful
garden like countries by the aid Of Northern capital
and skill
The time for making the necessary negotiations and
arrangements for the occupation of these lands is at
hand. The planter should be on his plantation with
his laborng force and implements before the LIST Of
December good crop Of cotton is almost always
insured by early planting. In the localities just
named, corn may be- planted in February, and cotton
as early a, the middle of March and should certainly
be in the ground before the middle Of April. There
IL also much work to be done in the way of dtching
fencing and repairing of buildings, roads and bridges
before the planting season begins. Trouble, expense
and labor will be saved by an early beginning
There is, perhaps no community in the Southern
States wherein the families of Northern men will be
speedily welcomed into society. IL is, therefore, de-
sirable to form settlements; and for this purpose
agents should be sent out Immediately with authority
10 select and contract for the lease purchase Of the
required number Of for a settlement Of half
dozen or more families Thus the new settlers will
be able regulate their school and church affairs to
their own liking, and to many other privileges
that could not be attained by individual effort The
neighbors would also serve defense TO each other,
aud by the example of their prosperity would induce
the old citizens to court their society.
Since Slavery has been abolished, it is agreed by all
aseos haf the climae of even the lower counties of
the Gulf States il not inhospable to white labor,
and that all the products hitherto grown in the South
can be successfully and proftably cultivated by any
race or people that will industrousy apply itself to
the work.
MIsCuIEF-uAkINGI IN CHnOND.
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