Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-06-12
agricultural department,
CORN VERSUS COTTON,

Some writers in the newspapers are discuss
ing the question whether large crop of corn
should be planted generally at the expense of
the cotton crop, or large cotton crop at the
expense of the grain crop. | believe the
"centreshot," advocated by Gov. Smith, of
Georgia, is not where to put it, but proper
tionally between the extreme limits, including
rotation. To see this question in its true
| light, let us examine the working of heavy
cotton planting at the expense of the grain
crop. The entire preparation of a large cot
ton crop requires more labor and expense
than proportionate grain crop. Suitable
cleaning off of the land is requisite at an ear-
ly period; and arrangements for applying
fertilizers must be looked after in due time
The price is high when you come to sum up
the drayage, freights, costs and wastage; and
then comes the chance of reaching unfavor-
able results from dry or overwet seasons:
Sufficient arrangements for supplies of food
for labor and horses must be made. Corn
must be, in many instances, shipped, price not
low, when freights, bags, wastage, &C., are
supplemented. Fodder and hay, too, must be
provided. An increase of doubtful, and to
some extent, ineffective labor for heavy cot
ton cropping, must be secured. In many in
stances liens must be given on the crops for
fertilizers, provisions, &C., which will, on an
average, reach forty per cent. on prime cost
The farmer thus compromts his independence
under the idea that he is wonderfully accom-
modated, and making haste to grow rich.
especially exhausted by the heavy rain and
washing and teaching during the winter and
early spring rains, which are likely to be
heavy. Here applies moral taught in one
of Esops Fables, in the case of the man who
had goose that laid golden eggs.
Now, suppose the heavy cotton planters
succeed to their hearts content, what follows !?
More labor to gather it; more bagging to
clothe it; more iron bands to secure it; more
experience to get it in market; more grum-
blings in selling it at low prices and discharg-
ing liens; much of the cotton dirty and poor;
cold fingers ensue in opening cracked bolls
and lifting painted cotton off the ground. No
corn in the crib; no long food to winter
stock. The pursuit Of this policy can never
make the Southern planters, generally, a
thriving people. have been planter for
forty years My policy before the war was to
raise my grain, corn, wheat, some oats, rye
and barley, some stock, and then as much
cotton as could be gathered in due time. l
have, measurably, pursued the same course
since, with hired labor, and am satisfied with
it. cease to 60 iato minute contrast OF
the results Of the proportion and rotation
plan of cropping. The advantages, think,
must be apparent to any thinking and expe-
rienced farmer I can easily see what classes
of operators are willing to see the doctrine of
large cotton planting prevail Manufacture
ers of iron, bagging, cotton, Western stock
raisers, phosphate companies, railroad COM
panies, cotton and grain spectators, provis.
ion and general dealers of various kinds all
these see, more or less, some gain to them.
They may gradually grow rich on our labor
and wants, whilst we sink slowly into poverty.
What an effort is already making to know the
amount of acreage planted in cotton What
calculations are already made as to the re.
suits? For whose benefit? The planter
No, verify no. Catch weazel at sleep. The
sharpers in speculation are preparing. If we
are simple enough to put all trumps into their
hands, we have no good grounds to blame
them, but ought to reflect upon our own deal
ings. When see men advocating peculiar
policy in anything, before I am carried away
with it, stop to enquire Where do their in
terests mainly lie? "Nuf' sed."
JOHN G. HOPE.
Lexington, s. c., June 2, 1878.