The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-05-21
MISCELLANEOUS
shall we staise COrns
From the Vicksburg Herald. 18TH

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from the vicksburg Herald. 16th3
This is on important consideration
sor us Of the Gulf States, whose wealth
ia dsrised from cotton, sugar ana rice
Some argue the case in this way;
If an average acre of our lands will pro-
duce three hundred pounds OF cotton
with an ordinary season, WORTH say a
net profit of $45, and the same land
will produce, at an outside average. corn
worth a net profit Of $50, wherein Is
the inducement for our farmers to. plant
corn and limit the cotton crop! Ihe
figures we here present are, we THINK
about fair, but they do not prove 1t Is
best to raise nj corn.
The West is anxious that the South
should not raise corn. 1t wishes 10
m~onopolize that line of agriculture, and
thus have the control Of the price. Il
it to our interest to permit this
The fattering figures we have pre-
scented, as to the superior profit OF the
cotton crop, are exceeded by those De,
rived from the culture Of sugar and
rice but i'm each instance, we are IN
eliped to the belief that we OF this sec
ton of the South should raise corn. 1t
10 a question only TO be judged by TAX
ing a comprehensive view of the sub
iect-that is, regarding it as ii Affects
the general interest Of the Gulf States.
For example, say that We raise no corn
this year, butt instead, q half million
bales of cotton additional; will that
half million additional bales pay for
the corn we need, or perhaps for double
or auadruple what we could have rais,
eli re the relative prices of cotton and
eornsremained the same as new, IT
seems that it would. But it is urged
that. with an addition to oar crop that
win carry it to three and a half million
bales. the total income therefrom would
not be more, probably, than the value
of the present crop Of 1869; at any rate
it must be expected that the price will
decline as the amount OF the crop IN
creases, but in what ratio it is difficult
to determine, Now the matter presents
itself thus If three and a half million
bales only bring the same valae as three
million bales, we meet with an actual
boss of the difference between that value
and what the Calf States expend for
cera be the North and West, and our
half million additional bales are raised
to no profit , land, time, labor and mo-
eney thrown away Tn any event, 1t 10
doubtful whether the excess in crop and
value will iiquidate the expense Of an
outside purchase Of corn.
There ID no question but that il the
Southern farmer wishes to be indepen.
dent he must raise his corn and meat
and, Il. possible, his horses and mules,
Arguing alone from a stand point Of
pecuniary interest the conclusions we
arriye at is that we Of the South should
raise corn. It not only makes us indie.
uendent-and this should be q matter
Of pride to us-bnt 1t Ia to our financial
interest.
In addition the money which would
20 to the North remains at the South
and we need every dollar Of il.
We hope our planters viii themsel
YES raise corn and urge ii upon the ne
groes to do 80. I'll Il
With plenty Of corn We can RAISE on
own meat another important considera
tion.
Now il the time for Ut to decid'
whether the South shall plant or bu,
corn.