Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-04-04
From the New YORK u u.I'
PLHntislg tEsP C-1pa

Although planting cannot be re
garded as having yet fai riv commenced
in the Southern States, owing to the
backwardness of the season, the f>roia-
rations for it have SO far progressed IS
to Indicate its probable nature and
extent So far the facts warrant the
conclusion that there will be Il con-
siderable increase in the breadth OF
land. The present and the last seasons
were prosperous for planter:S and not
withstanding the drawbacks Of partial
failures of the crop in various local.
ties, yet the profits were large and
satisfactory, sufficiently SO to Demon
strate beyond all question, that cotton
is still the most advantageous and
profitable product OF Southern indus
try. This fact is producing the natural
result of increasing the culture OF the
staple, and if the weather should
present even ordinary inducements for
planting, there can be no Doubt that
the area placed under cultivation viii
largely exceed any former year.
As an Illustration OF this tendency,
it may be stated that the Southern
papers commence their annual cam
paign for extensive cotton and large
corn planting, with more than usual
vigor and vehemencc. They ignore
the fact that al acre OF cotton Is worth
more than al acre of corn, and predict
general bankruptcy unless the South
raises more corn and less cotton.
Some journals even insist that the only
hope of tie South IS to limit her pro
auctions, thus adopting the now al
most exploded fallacy Of the trades
union, that the best way to increase
wealth is to limit production. In real
ity, Southern prosperity IS best pro
noted by large crops and low prices.
Dear cotton limits consumption, en-
hances the price OF textiles, and oper-
ates as Il direct bounty on foreign com
petition. The Southern planters, il
stinctively comprehend their true in
terests III this matter, and arc not
likely to forego the cultivation where
it may be practicable to any c,o,sidera-
BILE extent.
Another evidence Of an ENLARGED
breadth of cotton culture IS afforded
by the very marked activity Of the
trade in fertilizers. Accounts from
the cotton States concur in represent !
ing that the quantity OF fertilizers |
taken this year is considerably III ey-
cess of last year, when, it may be re-
the amount vas regarded !
as unprecedented. The various firms |,
in this city engaged in tho trade are |
very busy filling orders, and it is !
known that the trade - equally active !
in other distributing centres The /!
capacities OF the Southern /
railroad companies arc beginning to I
be taxed to the utmost 10 move The |
OF fertilizers to the /
This increased use Of fertilizers may
be regarded as new and marked fca-
ture of cotton planting. Experience
shows that no investment PAYS bctters
Fertilizers carry the crop through Vi
cissitudcs Of weather that would be
otherwise fatal TO it. It permits later
and earlier picking, and Tins
;ayes nearly two weeks time at the
irst and last of the season, when the
weather is liable to the most extreme
md dangerous vicissitudes. Besides
hese advantages, amounting almost to
IN exemption against the usual chances
If the weather. IL is found that the
yield more than pays the
'ost OF the fertilizers. They can b.
relied on to afford q sure and
paying crop under circumstances
where, without them, a corn crop
would be the only alternative. In
lew of these facts it Is no wonder that
he trade i'll fertilizers should be &C
i've beyond all precedent. Planters
re finding out that they cannot at1ord
0 dispense with their use.