Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-01-30
BENEFITS OF CHEAP COTTON.
[ From the New York South

Cneap cOtUOn NOu u pe p"'epo ""u
acknowledged blessing to all the world
save the cotton producer.
propose to show, frst-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 be neits 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 e, ,250, ,000)
may be relied on from the cotton States
OF the United State, grown on nine mill
ions of acres. and produced by the labor
OF some two-and.a- half millions OF indi-
viduaIs [ ., 500. 600 producing also, how
ever. large provisions crops.
This shows product ofOn!y about ono,
third of a bale to the acre-noO one and
ha { bales to the laborcr. Yeton SOME
of the thinnest soils in the cotton l.elt.
where inlciig nee AMI thrift direct labor,
the product not untrequently is from two
thirds Of bale to one bale per acre-irom
four to eight bales to the Labor er.
Within three years the cotton product
of the South cou.d be doubled. without
adding an acre to the area cultivated, by
the infusion of better labor, and by ad-
ding the intelligence engaged in cotton
culture 10y capital SO much needed.
Under pressing embarra ;. ments, it is
no uncommon thing to see the maximum
amount above mentioned produced BY
prudent managing men, sIite OF strait
encd circumstanceSandi means /;
while on ncighbOiing lands and all other
c!cum stances equally favorable, except
industry aud thrift, one bale to ten acres
i the result. throughout the entire
South choice lands are tenan:ed by freed
men, and their crops very often do not
reach bale to the labOrer. Of cOur c
the proprietor. would rejoice to let much
OF thee lands to intelligent, inlu .irlou-
white nen. who woud quadrup!e the
produrt and improve their lanIs, or they
YOU'D gladly sell at low prices portion II
their lands. aud the capital thus result
ing would enable thcm to utilize their re-
naming lands.
BUT. il necessary, the area of culture
could be largely increased, as their are
millions Of acres OI waste ami throughout
the South that haze been resting ior teu
I or twelve years; and. moreover, undci
our changed system oI'labor and improved
culture, their is no necessity for the large
uuanti,v of reserved land formerly he'd
OH every plantation.
With abundant clpi,al and efficient Ia
Dor it would be difficult 10 place liml'
to the capacity of the South for the pro
duction ofcottoD. The product could. by
int lligent labor and by capital judlciously
used, be doubled on the area now IN cut
tivarion. lfneed be that area could be
doubled.
Second. The idea Of doubling or qrad'
ruplng the crop of cotton at first glance
wruld seem alarming to the cotton-groweerr
but it is only in the seeming. The world
will need all the cotton thar can be pro
duced,,and con umption will grow as ia, :
idly as production can be forced.
am confident Of my patriotism, sure
of nv devotion to the South, and yet |
ardrntly long for the existence OF cause
here that will secure cheap cotton to the
world. Capital and popularion will secure
that end, and capital and population are
the great wants of the South.
The South would have immediate com
penSation in
I<t. The enhanced value Of land:
I'd. The escape from the burdens OF
taxation by the ut lization OF inert capl'
tai. :,
Sd. The infusion of vitality into lands
now waste, retained by propri, tors. which
would be the recipients of the benefits OF
the capital resulting from the lands sold
4,h The diversity o! agricultural prod
ucts resulting from and rendered proilta'
bic by increased population.
5;h. All other agricultural products
finding ready market. the farm and FAINT
lv expen-es could bepaid from these SOUL
ccs, eaving the cotton crop net proht.
9Th. Commercial. m"rchanical and
manufacturing pursuits would be so IN,
c ea,rd as no: only to create demand
Tor all agricultural products. but woulI
give employment to all the more artlfcla
callnrs now langui>hiug throughout the
South. And. -.
Lastly. The social, moral and political
Blessing we would escape, would cause u
to rejoice over the pecunary sacrifice
were there any such, though ! am wei
assured that the possession Of our waste
places by good Immigrants from the
North would redoun.la> much to the Pecu
mary advantage of the South as to Its
civil, moral and social advancement.
WV. NJ. SHANNON.