The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1871-06-10
A Moro Cheerful Outlook to the Planters

From the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph and Mes
scngcr.l
Tho terrible experience of the past
two years, maugre all predictions TO the
contrary, is beginning to work out the
pecuniary salvation of the Southern
agriculturists.
From an interview recently with one
of the largest provision dealers in the
city, and perhaps in the South, the
pleasing intelligence was derived that
up to this period in the current year not
more than onc-half of the bacon, and
one-fifth of the corn had been shipped
to the interior as compared with the
consumption of the previous season.
| Upon inquiry, we learn, also, that
the books of the Central Railroad show
a falling Off of near thrcc-fourths OF the
guano trade of Middle and Southwest
ern Georgia.
From this we argue, that our hus-
bandmen finding out how dangerous it
is to toy with cotton, that most unccr-
tain of coquettes, arc beginning to turn
their attention to the production OF
grain, stock, fruits, and other comforts
and luxurics of the farm. The lesson,
if really acquired, was taught not Il mo-
mcnt too soon.
And now that the planting season l.
over, and there is no longer dangrr 81
further increase to the cotton crop,
through the greed of thouGtt'IslS ptI-
tiles, we propose 10 snow tl,"t ;i,c ittfi4 I.sI
has Il fair prospect fG!.' an Improvement
=, i iiirtt the price of the .crcnt staple 1T thc
opening of the f;tlI market. Our rel-
sons for this opinion may be briefly
summed up rs follows:
1. The acreage Laid down i'll cotton
this year will be One-fifth less than in
1870. This is caused in part by the alb
IstractiOn of thousands of able laborcrs,
who now swarm upon the numerous
railroads and other public works in
progress of construction, and the unprc-
cedentcd rains and frcshets of the past
few weeks. In the west, on the margin
of rivers, in the region dcsOlatcd by the
dreaded crevasse, and in southwest
Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, where
| thousands of acres of the best lands are
still under water, the crop will fail to
| be seeded at all, or must come forward
too late for a good yield.
| g The unflvorablc spring has greatly
retarded field operations, and much
cotton will be eaten up by grass; before
| it can be chopped and cleaned out. One
of the best planters in Randolph actu-
ally p1Owcd up Il good stand of cotton
last week, as he could only destroy the
grass by that method, and was willing
to undergo the chances of u late crop in
preference to the labor of cultivating
that which was already unmanaglblc.
To this may be added the fact, that
present low prices do not offer amy in
ducemcnt to the farmer to neglect his
corn prospect, and, rs is most proper,
this branch of agriculture is receiving
| n, GRO oftoption than nSlo1
, ,. The paciiication of Europe viii
enable it's War-Wcary inhabitants t.
, turn their attention once moro to tho
r production of food and the rccupcratiOl
of their exhausted resources, and crt
another season opens the hum of bust
ness will again begin to Cnlivcn Tho
blood-st;,incd streets of the half-dcscrtct
cities of the continent, and the demand
for cotton resume its normal proper
tons.
Lastly, as has been announced in {:
former issue, carefully preserved roe
ortls of past seasons Indicate that three
successive years favorable for the dc
vclopment of the cotton plant, ATTENDED
also with late frosts, are unknown il
the history of the country. a heavy
crop, therefore, the present year, is not
within the range of probabilities.
Let our planters, then, take heart
and apply themselves with renewed
vigor and determination to the work
of rendering their families really indie
pendent by raising an abundant suppl!
of food for both man and beast.
Thus situated, with even = half crol
of cotton and enhanced prices, the sill
, vor lining to the cloud will again chcc
their vision, and the days of their pres
| ont frihlIl ntipn he ShOrtrncl