The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-12-12
THE Benefits Of Cheap Cotton.

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CAMDEN, s. c., Nov 16, 1872.
Editor of the South: Cheap cotton would be
patent and acknowledged blessing to all the
world save the cotton producer.
propose to show, frst-that that blessing is
within easy reach of the world and, second
that the condition of the cotton-producer is
such that he will receive greater benefits from
the. causes which will produce cheap cotton
than all "the rest of mankind" will from the
cheap cotton.
First-An average crop of about three and
fourth millions of bales 1926, 0,0OV may be
relied on from the Cotton States of the United
States, grown on nine millions of acres, and
produced by the labor of soEle two-and-a-half
millions of, individuals (2,5O0,0O0 producing
also, however, large provision crops.
This shows product Of only about one-third
to the laborer. Yet on some of the thinnest
soils in the Gotten belt, where intelligence and
thrift direct labor, the product not unfrequently
is from two-thirls of bale to one bale per
acre-from four to eight bales to the laborer.
Within three years the cotton product of the
South could be- doubled, without adding an
acre to the area cultivated, by the infusion of
better labor, and by aiding the intelligence en-
gagged in cotton culture by capital so much
needed.
Under pressing embarrassments it is no un-
common thing to see the maximum amount
above mentioned produced by prudent man
aging men, spite of straitened circumstances and
imperfect means; while on neighboring lands
and all other circumstances equally favorable,
except industry and thrift, one bale to ten
acres is the result Throughout til entire
South choice lands are tenanted by freedmen,
and their crops very often do not reach bale
to the laborer. Of course the proprietors
would rejoice to let much of these lands to in
teligent, industrious white men, who would
quadruple the product and improve their lands (;
or they would gladly sell, at low prices, por-
tions of their lands, and the capital, thus re-
sulting, would enable them to utilize their re-
manning lands.
But, If necessary, the area of culture could
be largely increased, as there are millions of
acres of waste land throughout the South that
have been resting for ten or twelve years; and
moreover, under our changed system of labor
and improved culture, there is no necessity for
the large quantity of reserved land formerly
held on every plantation.
With abundant capital and efficient labor it
would be difficult to place limit to the ca
pacity of the South for the production of cot
ton. The product could, by intelligent labor
and by capital judiciously used, be doubled on
the area now in cultivation. If need be that
area could be doubled.
Second.-The idea of doubling or quadru-
pling the crop Of cotton, at first glance, would
seem alarming to the cotton-grower, but it is
only in the seeming..rThe world will need all
the cotton that can be produced, and consump-
ton will grow as rapidly as production can be
u ] am confident of my patriotism, sure Of my
devotion to the South, and yet ardently long
for the existence ofcauses here that will secure
cheap cotton to the world. Capital and popu-
lation will secure that end, and capital and
population are the great wants of the South.
f. The South would have immediate compen-
sation in,
1st. The enhanced value of land.
End. The escape from the burdens of taxation
by the utilization of inert capital.
3rd. The infusion of vitality into lands now
waste retained by proprietors, which would be
the recipients of the benefits of the capital
resulting from the lands sold.
4th The diversity of agricultural products
resulting from and rendered profitable by in
creased population.
9th. All other agricultural products finding
ready market, the farm and family expenses
could be paid from these sources, leaving the
cotton crop net profit.
6th Commercial, mechanical and mauufac-
turing pursuits would be so increased as not
only to create a demand for alIagricultural
products, but would give employment to all the
more artificial callings now languishing
throughout the South. And,
Lastly. The social, moral and political bles-
sings we would enjoy, and the pressing evils
we would escape, would cause us to rejoice over
the pecuniary sacrifice, were there any such,
though I am we'll assured that the possession
of our waste places by good immigrants from
the North would rebound as much to the pecu-
mary advantage of the South as to its civil,
moral and social advancement.
Truly yours,
WIN. NJ. SHANNON.