The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1872-04-10
Good Advice TO Cotton Plan
terS.

The Financial Chronicle, in its issue
OF Saturday last, the ID inst, gives the
following good advice to cotton planters
IN reference to the planting Of tae next
crop:
We are Informed by our correspond
ents IN every portion Of the cotton grow.
ing States that preparations ior the mex.
crop are being made on an enlarged scale,
and We fear unless this disposition to ex.
pand receives some check, the South will
md that the coming years wo:k has re-
suited in their growing poorer instead Of
richer. OF course, it is not desirable.
and in fact it would be q very short
sighted policy to keep the suppl; of
American cotton short; but at the sa,ne
tllns, it is worth while for the planter.
who is giving up everything to cotton,
to consider what sacrifices he is willing
to accept for the purpose of furnishing
the world more than it can consume.
First. 1t is we'll to remember that
provisions have been cheaper this year
than they are likely to be ano,hes twelve
months. Prices for corn and pork have
ruled extremely low. This has been
very favorable to the South, and has ena.
Died the planter to raise the present crop
at much smaller cost than any crop
since The var. Higher prices to be paid
1or supplies is point worth considering.
Second. From every side We lea. that
there is to be lavish use of fertilizers
judic'ously used on a limited planting
would most likely resu!. in gain but
from the evidence received on this point
We fear that the experience of 1870 is 10
be repeated, resulting in a further in.
crease in tie expense account.
Third. Then again, with large crop,
the cost Of the labor to work it Will be
increased. Contracts are at present, we
understand, being made with the freed
men at about last years rates, but when
the busy season comes and extra help is
called in, there will be increased compe-
tition and consequently increased wages
to be paid. Here then are three causes
operating to enhance the cost of the pre-.
sent crop to the planter.
Fourth. On the other hand, suppose
Eve million crop is received, what can
we reasonably expect the price will be ?
Planters, we know, arc many Of them
deceived by the high quotations ruling,
and believe that this year is in that re-
spect to repeat itself. The truth, how
ever, is that consumption cannot in one
year be very largely increased a; the spin.
dies must be made before they can be
run. With gtol season, then, for
growing, and with supply from Ame-
RIGA considerably in EXCESS Of any posi-.
BILE consumption, ana with other coun-
tries, too, growing all they Can, as We
have every reason TO believe they will, it
cannot be q very difficult problem to de.
termine what the average price will be.
And with very poor price for cotton
and all the wheat and corn and provis-
ions to buy, in what condition is ano.
ther winter likely 10 leave the planter !?
l. there not enough in these suggestions
to lead the planter to see the folly of Civ.
ing up his land to cotton? Would it not
be wiser TO raise all the food you want
and after that Iaise all the cotton you
can economically? No other policy is
safe, and the merchant who makes the
advances should see that it is carried
out.