The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-12
THE COTTON SUPPLY.
AMERICAN PRODUCTION AND ENGLISH
EFFORTS-THE PROSPECT.
Manifesto from the Memphis Convention

| EtFOhIS-IdE FhOSfECl.
Manifesto from the Memphis Convention
The late Commercial Convention at Mem
phis had under consideration, among other
matters of leading interest to the South, the
| past and present condition OF the supply OF
cotton. report has been made on this sub
ject, containing very complete statement OF
the well known arguments showing the peculiar
adaptation of the Southern States Of the United
States for the growth of tie staple, and the
disadvantages which have attended Its cultiva-
| ton elsewhere. There is not much that is
strikingly new in this paper, but as an inter-
esting resume OF the points involved IN this
important subject, We present the following
extracts:
The report begins by noticing tho interest
felt in the future supply of the staple, and the
efforts that are being made in that direction.
In the East Indies, the most formidable COM
petitor OF this country, where under the stimu-
lus Of war prices, the product was forced up to
1,S4O,6 64S bales in 1885, the crop has since fallen
to ]. ,576 bales, AMI promises this year TO
decline to 1,25O, 900 bales. The largest yield
OF Egypt was in 1s64-65, when 404 All bales
were obtained, but these figures have not
since been equalled. Both these countries
we're somewf at afflicted with famine during
these years of greatest cotton growth, and
1t is not believed that lands 30 dc lse-
IL populated can devote more than
limited amount of the soil to the cultivation of
this plant to the neglect of the food crop. 10
parts of Turkey where the fig and fruit trees
were cut down in 1854 to make room for cot
ton, the cultivation Of the latter has been in
measure abandoned, and Turkey and Greece
only exported during the past year IL 62S bales.
There has been some increase In the cultiva-
ton in Brazil, but it is not sufficiently large to
be OF importance. In reference to the present
wants OF the world and the amount of growth,
the report says:
Tue cotton interests Of Europe and America
alone require an annual supply Of over 5000,
600 OF bales OF cotton to keep their machinery
moving whereas the actual available produc-
ton OF the world will not amount the pr sent
year to 5000, 600 Of bales.
Granting that East India and the United
States may make full average crops OF cotton,
the most favorable production cannot supply
the deficiency.
Say for tina cotton crop Of the year 1869:
East India, more Than last year. 100000
Egypt more than last ear. 230.gC0
Turkey. Levant, 60, more than last year.. 1850
Brazil, Peru and West Indies, game as last
year. ,O1.oV0
United Sntes sources more than last year. 0000
All other sources .,................ so 0e0
Making liberal estimate of............. .6OOo.0Oo
for the production Of the world, while the con-
sumption is over 5000. .0OO leaving the appa:..
rent deficit in supply in the raw material
over 1,0OO, 900 bales OF cotton at the end OF 'he
present year.
The cotton crop Of the world does not now
amount to four millions OF bales, averaging 5O0
pounds, aud exclusive OF the United States,
the available production of the globe does not
much exceed eighteen hundred thousand bales,
of the same average.
One half the cleared lands OF the South are
left uncultivated tor want of labor, and the
suggestion is made that if the cotton supply
associations OF England and America would
give their aid in directing suitable immigra-
ton to the South, valuable assistance would
be given that would speedily increase the
growth of the staple. In reference to the pre-
sens condition OF Southern labor, the report
says:
There is great mistake generally made in
regard to the amount OF labor now employed
in the cultivation of cotton. When the eman-
cipa,ion occurred the planters mado great
efforts to associate the laborers together on
their large plantations, but the system has
been completely broken down and given place
to the "squad system" where from two to
eight hands only work together; in many in.
s.ances, single family. The "squad system
on large plantations is much lees productive
than tho old system OF associated labor, as
there Is no concert of action and fair division OF
labor, according to the recognized laws OF PC
litical economy.
The freedman is unambitious Of accumula-
ton, but shows great anxiety to have his little
home, with his horse. COW and hogs separate
and apart from others. Therefore, he strenu-
ousy insists on full grain crop Tor subsls'
tence OF his family and stock, and only mod
crate cotton crop. On majority Of the planta-
tions. in projecting the cotton, crop; the
freedwomsn Are entirely ignored, and arc
left to attend TO the household and the garden,
except when the selson is very difficult, when
they give some assistance to their husbands
and fathers 10 the cultivation, and also occa-
sionally in the gathering OF the crop. This
fact in itself s sufficient to account IN no sm Ill
degree for the dis ppearance OF large propor-
tion OF the efficient labor once directed special
Iy to the production Of cotton. Perhaps it Is
more potent in this direction than The loss by
death in the negro population during the late
war. now variously estimated from i've hun
dred thousand to one million OF souls. The
labor most efficient, and DOW most to be de-
pended on, is that of the older negroes. whose
habits OF industry have been confirmed. Tue
young negroes growing up since the war are
generally idle, fond of pleasure, impatient OF
the control OF their parents, and do not give
promise Of much usefulness.
The report estimates the number of freed
men engaged in cultivatins cotton at 100000,
and white at 100000, which at three bales to
the hand would give 2,4OO 600 bales. In regard
to the possible future increase Of the crop with
the present labor system, We are told:
No material increase in the production of
cotton can be expected from the Southern
States, unless our supply OF labor ls increased
by immigration.
Notwithstanding the remarks of the Hon.
Reverdy johnson, who recently. in the Town
Hall at Manchester, assured the people ot
Lancashire that wien Tree lObor comes to
be properly developed and organized" Man
chester would rejoice, not only IN four or five,
but in few years, in Six or seven milious
OF bales from America, We are forced 20 tho
conclusion that the average yield OF the South
cIn cotton crops, with the present labor sys-
tenn cannot exceed 3 500, 900. Could we grow