Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-01-24
A Few suggcstions.

work here, and pull together IN the right
direction, and all the harder because the
current is against us ? or are we to float
namely aud sluggishly down, and grow
poorer because we have neither the en-
erry nor the invention to turn manfully
and stem the tide2 II It is hard to
change the plan and routine Of bust
ness, which is not paying, to one
which viii pay, the stronger should be
the effort We must manufacture here,
and Memphis will not grow until the
effort begins. Let that be done, even
though it is by small beginnings, and the
city will thrive at once. 1t will be as
sured of immediate prosperity, and be
on the way to population and greatness.
We shall be pleased to hear from our
correspondent farther We hope that
the practical men of the city will not let
this subject drop, but, on the contrary,
give their views freely; and, above all,
90 to work. Our low rents now will en-
able us to compete with Eastern cities as
to articles of home consumption:
Mr.. EDITOR; am delighted with your
remarks under the caption, "A means Of
Improvement" They are just such as /
have been revolving for some time past,
and had thought of embodying in article
for your paper. was pleased to read
the article of your correspondent, John
Davis, although l did not think his pro-
position one very likely to succeed, or
even if feasible, the best method Of ac-
complishing what he seeks, under ex-
listing circumstances
Joint stock companies conducted under
the management of salaried agents, who
feel deeper solicitude about their sala-
ries than the prosperity Of the enter
prises they are employed to conduct,
are not so likely to prove successful and
remuneratiye as individual enterprises,
where the proprietor or proprietors be-
stow their personal supervision.
Small beginnings carefully and eco
nomically nurtured, in infancy, FREE
quently grow to gigantic proportions.
We are poor, but not too poor to make
beginning in the way of manufactur-
ing. Only let it be demonstrated that
any particular branch of manufacturing
yields fair profit, and soon there will be
found men and capital to prosecute it.
Let me mention at present only three
articles which l think might be manu-
featured here with profit, and without
requiring very large capital to begin
VITA.
First, the manufacture of goods boxes.
Perhaps you, as well as your readers,
may be surprised to know that the
greater portion of original package
boxes used in this market are brought
here from Cincinnati. By original
package boxes" / mean such as are moi
second hand, or have not been used.
With the vast forests of fine timber suit
able for making the right kind of lumber
for this purpose, it is reproof to the
enterprise of our mechanics that such is
the fact Would not our merchants give
the preference to boxes made at home ?
Is there not sufficient demand here TO
support at least one establishment in the
exclusive manufacture Of boxes?
Wooden ware is another article that
is in a great measure imported which
should be manufactured at home.
Cypress, which abounas throughout the
lowlauds of our section, is the finest Of
material for this branch Of industry. Is
there in the city Of Memphis manu-
factory Of buckets, pals, tubs, churns,
and articles Of ike description Can't
they be probably manufactured herel
an sorry 10 say that our grocers con-
tisue TO import great proportion oftbe
kegs used by them, when they can buy
an article equally as good Or quite as
cheap made in their own city. Why is
ihis7 Is Il because the supply here is
uneertsin2 Ifso, will not some enter
prising cooper see that this excuse is
removed
Thirdly-The manufacture Of brooms
here could be made profitable.
Our climate and soil are admirably
adapted 10 the culture Of broom-coru.
Were a mandatory OF brooms estab-
lished, | doubt not ample supply Of the
very best cane would be produced at
once 10 NEE. the demands Of ulsu5fsc-
iurers. A few years previous to lhewsr,
two brothers from one Of the New Eng
land States came TO one Of the mountain
counties Of Southwestern Virginia, and
rented small farm, the greater portion
Of which they cultivated in broom-corn,
with he product of which they COM
menced the manufacture Of brooms 10
short time they were able to purchase
tie farm, and at the commencement Of
hosiilities we're building up an extensive
trade and rapidly accommodating a for
tune. The same result might be realized
here, where the advantages Of market
are so far superior to that locality.
Mr.. Editor, | suggest these three
branches Of manufacture noe, simply
because they are within the reach Of men
Of small means They are compare
lively Insignificant, but not unworthy
the suggestions have made, and | feel