Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-08
Union AND AMERICAN.
FARM AND GARDEN.
COTTON PLANTING.

1t is law against which there is no rem
edy that high prices invariably increase pro
duction. The farmers throughout the
South, unmindful Of the disasters that have
so often befalien them, from an over-crop
of cotton TO the neglect Of the crops OF sub
sistence, are again preparing TO hurl their
entire momentum of labor and capital in
favor of the staple that has exhausted their
land, clouded their prospects, diminished
their power and made them pensioners
upon the less favored regions Of the North
west. Experience teaches a short lesson in
these matters. 1t is quickly and easily for
gotten. Cotton at twenty cents displaces
every other product. 1t reigns supreme
1t intoxicates the brain. 1t cOnjures
up visions Of sudden wealth, Of freedom
from oppressive cares, Of days Of peace and
plenty. These decisions shut out the lights
of experience and override the dictates Of a
sound judgment and a prudent foresight.
Can it be possible that the planters have
forgotten the terrible calamities that befell
them in 1867 and 1868, by going in debt
and neglecting TO raise supplies.
On the 18th day of April, about the be-
ginning of the cotton planting season, in the
year 1867, the staple was worth in Nash
vile on an average 22c. On the 22d of
November Of the same year it was dull at
I4S, reduction of nearly SC, which ate up
all the profits of the planters and left
nothing with which to buy provisions
and supplies for the ensuing year.
In the spring Of that year, as now, it was
argued that there was no danger Of an over
supply; that the markets of the world were
bare, that few bales Of cotton would pur-
chase all supplies and that it was folly for
the planters to throw away such splendid
opportunity for restoring their wasted for
tunes. Every exertion was made by the
cotton growers. Extraordinary induce
ments were held out to the 'aborers; liberal
advances were received from commission
merchants; plantations were restOcked upon
credit and the whole energy Of the South
was expended on the cotton crop. With
what result? Let the crippled condition of
many of the planters to this day answer.
There was no over supply made it is true,
but the cotton was pushed rapidly into
market. Bills drawn by planters and &C
cepted by commission merchants were
maturing and the crop was a dead
loss to the planter, but enriched
spectators and middle men; for by the
first of April, 1865, it was selling, and in
urgent demand, at % cents. And 50 it has
been whenever the planter has put himself
in a condition that compelled him TO SELL
The crop for lST0-71 was 4,352,8l9 bales.
The crop now going forward will be some
thing less than 100000 bales, and yet the
present crop will make the planter more
clear money than the large one Of 107O-7l'
1t is not, therefore, to the interest OF the
planter to make an over crop. Il should be
an invariabie rule to plant a suficisncy Of
corn to meet the requirements Of the plan
tation; raise potatoes and oats, raise hay,
and do everything that viii enable him to
hold his cotton for the best prices. hide
pendence and contentment viii be the re-
suit. A planter with full pockets, free Of
debt; with fat horses and cattle, and q
smoke-house filed with bacon Of bis OWL
raising; with barns plethoric with hay and
corn, can bid defiance to all the tricks OF
trade and live a happy, useful and con
tented life.