Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-04-16

The Memphis Avalanche publishes the
review Of the past. present, and future Of
the cotton crop South prepared by the
Selma Cotton Brokers Association, and
prefaces it with the following remarks
The struggle between English spinAers
and American spectators iii regard TO cot
ton continues, and the future Ol the staple
is daily assuming greater importance, as
involving millions of dollars to the people
OF the South. Here there is no question
as to the scant supply and ultimate high
prices, but in the North and in Europe The
popular idea of the crop varies from >,
500, 900 to 2, $50, 900 bales, with the expcc.
tation of largely increased production il
1862 Both these have been steadily com
bated by the Avalanche, especially the lat
ter, as being impossible from the largely
decreased labor supply. Only lew days
since we recorded general "scrap!ng
out and forwarding of the crop, and oar
advices since have only strengthened
US in our position. 1t may be taken
as gospel that those who figure
on increased production this year
will be as much mistaken In their cal
culations as those who estimate the new
crop now marketing as equal to that d
1867. Internal improvements in the South
are absorbing large proportion Of the
element whose only occupation IN the past
was agriculture, aud it will require severa.
years at least to effect any material increase
in the production of our leading staple
We have plenty of land; but the supply OF
labor is insufficient, and even this must
decrease as our railroad aud manufacturing
interests advance The freedmen, as u
class, are not favorably inclined to plan.a-
ton labor, and will adopt any other occu'
patton in preference. Hence, no matter
what efforts may be put forth, there can
be little, if any, increase III the production
of American cotton for some years to come.
White labor must come to the rescue, ana
this will require time. immigration mus,
be encouraged, and vast and half cultlv-
ted plantations must give place to small,
closely worked and thrifty farms. And
immigration unjust not only be encouraged
in words, but money must be spent ear
nest work performed, cheap lands offered
and protection guaranteed. We cOmmeuI
these views to European as well as Amcr'
can spinners. The former will be lar
more sure of a regular supply of cot
ton in encouraging its develop.
ment in America, by promoting emlgIa'
ton, and in other ways, than by wasting
time in vain efforts to increase the prOduc'
ton of an inferior staple in India or else
where. India is the only country from
which any material increase can be expect
ed, and yet latest advices from Bombay arr
anything but favorable. Let them drop
all "short time and other tactics and an
in the encouragement of increased produc'
ton in America, as the surest way OF get
ting back to as healthy and prosperous
condition of things as existed before the
late war.
Intelligence from all sections Of the
country is very unpromising as REGARDS
crop prospects, Few planters have 5o.
commenced their spring work, from scar
city of farm hands, while the late urtaVcI
able weather YVES another serious set bacA.
It is almost impossible to get hands, thou5"
twenty five to fifty per cent. higher wage
than paid last year are offered, and 1t is
apprehended that not over two million
bales of cotton will be raised this searOD.--
This may startle Increased production
philosophers, but such is the intelligence
cleaned from our exchanges and the cor.
respondence of factors and commlssloL
merchants. 1t is even stated that h"I.
dreds of plantations are without slhg!'
laborer.
The New Oath OF Office for Late Eehti'',@