The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1866-05-05

OVER RArED.-There seems to be great
deal Of speculation put forth concerning the
amount of cotton that the South will pro-
duce this year and so far as we have seen
all the figures set forth by the various com
putations allow of too broad a margin-in
fact, far overreach the quantity that will be
found coming into market from the crop of
1866. Although we may desire to see the
prophecies fulfilled that have been made in
regard to the number of bales that viii be
packed this year, nevertheless, we cannot
close our eyes to the glazing fact that the
anticipatioHs Of hundreds, nay, Of thou
sands of planters have already been blown
away as chat before the wind and from
all sections Of the South, with but few ex-
ceptions, come tidings of blight and disap-
pOintment on account Of worthless seed
high water, and an almost hopeless and de-
cidedly proftless system of labor. Touch
ing the calculations Of the sanguine, let US
note few truthful points in brief:
Before the war, when negro labor was ell
cyated, or rather, syStemized to the highest
possible standard, and wien the farms were
in most excellent order-the fields stocked
with mules and horses far Superior to the
condition in which they are now found, and
when each farm or plantation had its COM
piiment of laborers all under the control of
experienced and directly interested, and in
tslligent OFerseers, the total number of bales
produced would not more than average 4OOO,-
600 per year. Now, the idea of the South
producing a yield of one-half this amount
is simply silly if not ridiculous. How is it
possible to raise 100000 bales of cotton in
the South this year when there is not more
than one-third of the ground in cultivation
now that there was when she yielded only
100000? Besides, it is equally as palpa-
BILE fact that there is not more than one
fourth Of the labor employed as there was
before the war, and that, too, Of very ques-
tionable nature-surely not reliable. We
have never ventured, heretofore, to suggest
even approximate figures as regards what
will be the total yield of cotton this year,
simply because information of general
nature was unattainable but now, having
seen reports in our exchanges during the
past few weeks, especially from the hereto
fore large yielding districts of the South,
which are anything but fattering to the cal
culatiOns of DeBow and Stephens-the lat
ter gentleman claiming to be posted in his
estimate of 100000 bales-we are pur-
suaded by the facts as they present them
selves, to suggest that not more than l 200
600 bales of cotton will come into the mar
ket next fall and winter as the crop of 1866
ANY one wo is not an enthusiast can readily
see the heavy drawbacks that have to be
commended with, and how it is possible t.
realize two-thirds of former yields with one
third of former lands and less than one
fourth of labor, as is most assuredly the
case, is beyond our comprehension. No
do the facts-and facts are stubborn things
in the case, as plainly seen and under
stood now, sustain the estimates of those
who ought to be, if they are not, good au
thority, when they tell the inquiring public
that 100000 bales of cotton viii be pro
duced in the South this year It is mis-
take, and one that can be more plainly seel
as the season advances. It viii not do t,
place SO high figure upon the coming crop
for there is nothing to sustain such calcu
lation,