Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-04-12
Deferred Local and Editorials.

a WORD To FARAIERs-We are fully
aware Of the fact that newspaper advice to
farmers, as TO the amount Of cotton they
should plant, is but little needed. Howev-
er, every year farmers are becoming more
and more reading class, and hence better
disposed to profit by the hints and facts
cleaned from newspapers. Even now, the
most successful farmers, as S rule, are
reading men; and this will be more and
more strongly marked upon each year Of
the future. But we started out TO reason
with our farmers little upon the amount
Of cotton they should plant and hsw to i'm
prove the staple. We urge that no more
cotton should be planted than can be
picked out by the 18th Of December. It is
wen known, as we stated last week, that
cotton picked out by the middle Of Decem-
Der Is almost always OF superior staple and
brings the highest price. Coed, strict and
middling eottons are seldom if ever picked
sftef the Isl Of January, and it is upon
these grades the farmer realizes his profits.
Wind rain, snow, storm and freeze dam
age estton, and hence winter riekings are
always drug in the market, seldom pay
ing even the eest Of preparation for market
and Jet consuming time and labor that
opght 10 be employed in improvements
upon the farm. 1t does not pay the Ameri-
can planter TO raise cotton below Low
AEidslihg. In the higher grades Of cotton
the Amsrean farmer is without rival In
the markets Of the world, but in the lower
grades he is forced to compete with the
- b.y.. -,sro1 4, o.y,.,- ,.,-..4 4-so.
Hence, in the higher grades American cot
ton has and must continue 70 bring the
highest price, while in the lower grades
successful rivalry from abroad may always
be expected. SOil and climate gives the
American cotton producer decided advan-
tages in the production Of good cottons,
but cheaper aud better disciplined labor
gives Brazil, Egypt, and the East Indies,
decided advantages in the production of
the lower grades. These facts will be felt
more and more each year, and sooner or
later American planters will be forced to
eOnfine themselves to the production Of the
better graoes OF cotton alone. The sooner
they do this the better; better for thGir
pockets ami for their lands, for then there
will be time to improve the soil and in
crease farm eonveniences.
IMPROVING THE STABLE.
We have but little confidence in the i'm
proved cotton seeds brought here from
other and more Southern States. The soil,
climate ard length Of the maturing season,
is sll different here from the sections where
these improved seeds have fiourished, and
while they may occasionally do better than
our home seeds, we believe as = general
rule they will not do as well. Now our
planters can sDlprore their own home seeds
which are acelimated, and thereby greatly
improve the staple Of the cotton raised here.
Let every planter select his seed for plant
ing from the best stalks, the best developed
bolls and the best staple in his fields and
in few years, by faithful adherence to
this rule the cotton Of this section will be
vastly improved. Ia this way corn and
other cereals are improved, and why not
eottonl 1t requires some pains and extra
trouble but it is cheaper than purchasing
foreign seeds and far more profitable. Mr..
Sam Haley, of Southwest Madison. has
followed this rule for years with eminent
success. The cotton raised from his home
improved seeds is far superior to that
raised from the foreign seeds, as his neigh
bors will all testify-most Of whom have
tried both. These home improved seeds
have the advantage of being acciImated
and hence DO not rot in the ground as read
lily Of a cold, wet spring, produce healthier
stalks and squares, and a more certain
yield. We hope our planters will try this
plan, believing that they viii greatly profit
thereby.
l Ifthe facts shd suggestions briefly pre-
sened above awake an lnquiring interest
/ in me minds of eur farmers, we viii have
accomplished all we expected by their pre-
senation.