The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1869-02-13
Good Advice for the South.

The profits of the cotton crop Of 1858
we're a God i-senl' to the people Of sh-
Southern States. They have money in
plenty, an improving credit, and brighten
inr prospects for the future. All this is
in the bighes: degree satisfactory, and yet
the blessing NAV ea.i'y become AZ eyi un
lAss the wise agricultural policy. whose
first fruits they now enjoy, is per>evrre / io
by the Southern planters. The danger IS.
however. that thy m4v b. tempted hy
high prices resulting from n moderate
crop, a growing trade anl racl,'ess <peca-
ation, to plant itti. besides cotton. Every
man," SAYS the Charleston Nems. 'whH
soll upland cotton a: 25 or p o. % cents
a pound doubtless wished that h bad
twenty bales instead Of ten. or a hunAr"I
instead Of fifty. This feeling. however
natural, We must conquer or be nn'on-.
The reason why the p'aufefS male
money by the cotton crof, Of 1858 j. b.
| cause thew did not make cotton their FIRST
or principal care. There had been two
seasons of anxiety. disappointment and
loss, which forced them to scknow eag-
that their only safety av in securing, AT
any cost, what bread and meat thev re-
qui ed The dnlest and most pr'j'tiicrd
could see this necessity. and, "s cons,
qupnce. the South produced All the break
s'utfs she needed the corn crop Of South
Carolina alone bang 100000 bushels
more than it WAS in 1867 Cotton WAS a
secondary consideration with the planter.
but he two AMI bali million Of bales
which form the crop of the year have still
! h-nnvLt more monev than four million,
'"'' sAe var '--ae it taa price # be
| Had the whole strengti, Of .ha r,ocL..
been directed to the cuinre Of cotton ,ha
| crop would have been three million G,
! bales or more; prices wonI have fallen.
and the purchase Of Wrstern gain woull
have swal'o owed up the sres...r pa Of tn.
net proceeds Of the crop. As it j, tn.
South is independent of other section.
With fair grain and ccrn crops aud sniii
clent stocl, Of other produce. they wer.-
freed from the necessity of throwing her
cotton OF the ms'kt. ard we're enabled -
hold it rnti! they conld sell 70 ady.nfag
As aconSeqnence, the year has been most
favorable to them in all respects
But the valuable experience If tha. anl
succeeding Seasons will be Of but little
benefit if high prices induce the planters
to make cotton their king and Dot their
servant. Says tl. Nsws:
"Iha first labor the frs, thought. the
first pains, should be given to wheat. CON
and provisions ami then, ani not before
might the reign Of cotton br:in. W.
should have tie best seed, so As to ia
prove the staple; fertilizers should be
planted than can be cultivated regularly
and well. Ard cotton crop made in this
manner will repeat the lesson Of 1863, aud
realize for us far more mono. than a
larger yield at lower pricss with million,
Of dollars to pay away in buying our daily
bread"
This is sound, sensible and practical ad
vice. Of course, it is to the interest nf
consumers in all parts of tn. country that
cotton should be cheap and plenty bn if
it must be so at The expense Of still further
involving the impoverished South in diff
entity and debt, we can we'll atfprt! to wait
for q decline in price uatil more capita! IL
invested and more lana devoted to its pro
duction.-N. Y. Bulletin.