The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-02-18
The National Grange on Mixed Hus
bandry.

A Memorial to the Patrons OF Hus-
bapdry in the Cotton States WAS pre-
sented ard unanimously adopted at
the late meeting in st. Louis. 1t
states that during the past seven
years our cotton fields have added
1000, 100000 of bales to tho wealth
of the world, and have added to the
prosperity of all except the producers.
These have expended their energies
upon a single crop and have been
forced to buy their bread. Such a
course can end only in bankruptcy.
sItis generally conceded, says the
Memorial, that home grown bread
is cheaper than purchased supplies,
and the observation of every planter
is that these Southern farmers who
live within themselves are moro in
I tdepcndent and less encumbcred with
| debt than those who have relied SOLE
ly upon the cotton crop. Were it
otherwise it is hazardous for any
people to rely upon others for sup
ply of those articles which arc neccs-
sary for their consumption. 1t then
refers to the famine which moro than
once has occurred in India, owing to
the efforts of the people to grow cot
ton to the exclusion of bread-stufis,
and adds that, during the past year,
portions Of Iowa, Minnesota and De.
sota havo been invaded by grasshop-
pers, which destroyed every vesligc
Of vegetation. Imagine your condi-
tion should O similar invasion become
general in tho Northwest. Couple
with this idea the total failure OF q
cotton crop, either from tho worm
from drought, or any other unavoida-
bic cause, Improbable as such vista
tions may appear, have we the power
to prevent them? And is it wise to
subj ourselves to the possibility Of
becoming the victims of such calam-
ities2 Our wisest and safest policy
is, as far as practicable, to produce at
home our necessary supplies.
is there farm in tho South in
which this cannot be done and at the
same tine an average cotton crop
produced as the net result of the
farmers annual labors? We believe
there are not annually 1000, 900 bales
of cotton produced upon Southern
soil; but what proportion of this
vast amount is retained to Indicate
our prosperity? One-half Of it is
expended for necessary supplies.
whilst the remainder is divided be-
tween labor and taxes. Hence the
cost of production has exceeded the
value of the article produced. Shall
this policy continue? Extensive cot
ton crops have evinced our unity Of
purpose and ehtailed poverty upon US
uncqually. Uniform adhesion to
mixed husbandry would secure our
recuperation. Cotton is a necessity,
and the extent of that necessity can
be calculated with eXactness. If g.
oUU,OUu Dales are grown tney VIII DC
consumed before another crop can be
gathered, and q remunerat;ye market
price will be sustained by tho conse-
quent demand. If 100000 bales
are grown the large marginal excess
will control and depress the market.
Alternatives for success are numer-
GUS, but VIC rely upon the single one
Of cooperating in tho determination
to subsist at home. With this end
attained there is no reason why We
should not be tho happiest, most in
dependent and prosperous people on
earth a ~
The memorial is signed by the
masters of State oranges of South
and North Carolina, Alabama, Missis-
sippi, Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana,
Georgia and Tennessee, and was not
only heartily approved by the Com
mittoe on Resolutions, but endorsed
Grange"