The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1873-06-11
For THE iIkRALD.
For THE l1kRALD.
The Eruc Policy Of Southern
Planters


The following very sensible and
timely communication. since its first
appearance in the Ph9nir, has beer
revised, corrected and enlarged by its
author, the Hon. J. c. Hope, and fur
nished US for publication. We insert |
with much pleasure
Mr.. EDITOR Some writer's in the
newspapers are discussing the questions
whether large crop Of corn should be
planted, generally, at the expense Of
the cotton crop. or Il large cotton crop
at the expense Of the grain crop.
1 believe the sccntrc spot advo-
Gated by Gov. Smith, Of Georgia
is not where he puts 1t, but proper
tionally between the two extreme
limits, including rotation. TO see
this question in its proper light, let
us examine the workings of heavy
cotton planting at the expense of the
grain crop.
The entire preparation Of a large
cotton crop requires more labor and ex-
pcnse than L proportiouatc grain crop.
Suitable cleaning off Of the land is
requisite at an carly period. Az
rangements for applying the fer
tilizers must BE- looked after IN due
time. The price is hiyh, when you
come to SUM up the drayage, freights,
costs, and wastage; and then comes
the chances Of reaching favorable re-
suits, from dry OR oyerwet seasons.
Sufficient arrangements for supplies Of
food for laborers and horse power,
must be made. Corn must be i'll ma
ny instances, shipped, prices not low,
when freights. bags: wasteage, &c, are
supplemented. Fodder and hay, too,
must be provided. An increase Of
doubtful, and, to some extent, incf-
fcient labor for heavy cotton crop
ping must be secured. In many in
stances liens must be given on the
crops for fertilizers and provisions &c,
which will on an average, reach forty
per cent. on prime cost. The farmer
thus compromits his independence: I'LL
der the idea that he is wonderfully ac-
commodated, ard making haste to
grow rich. His lands are much more
exposed; more rapidly exhausted by
the heavy rains, and washing and
teaching during the winter and carly
spring rains, which are likely to be
heavy. Here applies moral taught
in one Of Hsop's Fables, in the case
Of the man who had a goose that laid
golden eggs.
Now, suppose the heavy cotton plan
tcrs succeed to their hearts content,
under these contingencies, 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 grumblings in selling it at L0w
prices and discharging liens; much Of
the cotton dirty and poor, and cold fin
gers ensue in opening cracked bolls, and
lifting painted cotton of: 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, thriving people.
| have been farmer 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 be gathered
in due time. | have measureab]y
pursued the same course since with
hired labor, and I anrsatisied with it.
I Cease to 60 into a minute con-
trast of the results Of the proportion
ate and rotating plan Of cropping; the
advantages l think must be apparent to
any thinking and experienced farmer.
I can easily See what classes of operators
are willing to see the doctrine of large
cotton planting prevail. Manufac-
turers of iron, bagying. cotton, West
ern stock raisers, merchants, railroad
interests, phosphate companies: cotton
and grain spectators and provision
and general dealers of various kinds
All these see, more or less, some gains
to them. These may gradually grow
rich on our labor and wants, whilst We
sink szowIy into poverty. What an
effort already making to know tho
amount Of acreage planted in cotton
What calculations already made as to
the results? For whose benefit? The
planters, no. verify no. Catch a wease
at sleep. The sharpers in speculation<
are preparing. live 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
dealings.
When I see men advocating a
peculiar policy, in any thing, before
am carried away with it, I stop to
inquire where do their interest mainly