The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-05-29

Tn. True Policy OF soa.Asra F.rm..s
MR. FDrroR: Some writer's in the
newspapers are discussing the questions
whether large crop Of corn should be
planted at the expense of the cotton
crop. or large cotton crop at the ex-
pcnse OF the corn or grain crop. I be-
lievo the ''centre spot" advocated by
Gov. Smith, Of Georgia, is not ,rhere he
puts IL. but proportionally between the
two extreme limits. To see this question
in it's proper light, let Us examine the
workings OF heavy cotton planting at the
expense OF the grain crop.
Tho preparation for o large cotton crop
requires more labor and expense than a
grain crop. Suitable cleaning oil the
land is requisite at an early period, Ar
rangements for applying the fertilizeIs
must be looked after in due time. The
price is high, when you come to sum up
the drayage, freights, costs, and waste
age; and then the chances OF not reaoh-
ing favorable resultsp from dry or over
wet seasons. Sufficient arrangements
for food, supplies, for laborers and horse.
power, must be made Corn must be,
in many instances. shipped, price not
low. when freights. bags, wasteage, 60. :,
is supplemented. Fodder and hay, too,
must be provided. An increase OF
doubtful, and. to some extent, Ineffective
labor Tor heavy cotton cropping, must
be secured. In many instances liens
must be given on the crops for fertilizers
and provisions, 80, which will, on an
average. reach forty per cent. on prime
coat. The farmer thus oompromits his
independence, under the idea that he is
wonderfully accommodated, and making
haste to grow rich. His lands are much
more exposed and exhausted by the
heavy rains, and wsshing and Ieaohing
during the winter md early spring rains,
which are likely to be heavy.
Now, snpposing the heavy cotton
planters succeed to their hearts content
in making bales, what follows? More
labor to gather it; more bagging to
clothe It; more iron bands to secure it;
more expense to get it to market; more
grnmblinga in selling it at loD prices
and disoharging liens; much of the
cotton dirty and poor, and cold fpgers
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. I have been planter
for forty years. My policy before the
war was to raise my grain, corn. wheat.
oats. some rye and barley, some stock,
and then as much cotton as could have
gathered in due time. have measured
~ pursued the same course since the
War, with nired labor, aud am satisfied
with it.
I cease to go into minute contrast OF
the results of the proportionate plan of
cropping; the advantages think must
be apparent to any thinking and expert
enced farmer. can easily see what
olasses Of operators are willing to see the
{arge cotton planting doctrine prevail.
Manufacturers Of iron, bagging. cotton,
Western stock raisers; merchants. rail.
road companies. phosphate companies,
cotton speculators and provision dealers,
&c.is Ali ;these see, more or less, some
gains to them. They may gradually
grow rich on our labor, while we sink
slo,oly into poverty.
Whom see men advocating peculiar
policy, in any thing, before I am carried
away with IL, stop to inquire where
does his interest mainly lie. Nuff sed.
J. G. HOPE.