Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-06-14


which the above method would fail to
reach, no matter how faithfully fol-
lowed, for the statistics weallude to are
not even contemplated
Agricultural statistics should be re-
garded as an invaluable science. So
early as 1915, the State census Of New
York gave the acres planted in corn.
wheat rye, oats, barley, and other
crops, and the yield per acre of each;
and each succeeding State CEN
sus has repeated these inquiries.
Such researches tell the reading farmer
and intelligent business man what
crops pay the best, and ought to COM
mand the employment of capital and
labor. To make land, labor and capital
highly profitable. they should be used
to the best possible advantage. Are
thirty more years to elapse before any
business man in the South can say,
even approximately, how many acres
are devoted to cotton, or corn, or wheat,
or tobacco, south Of Mason and Dixon's
line?
When the first industrial statisti
were collected by Congress in 1910,
that body was petitioned to ascertain
the area cultivated in each crop, as
well as the amount grown. But it
would not, and never has to this day,
collected such information Congress
represents the nations stupidity, with
perhaps fair share of its dishonesty.
These public servants appear to act
ike men who choose darkness rather
than light, because their deeds are evil.
Our industry and exchanges need light
for the equal benefit of all interests
yet the most useful light has been sys-
tematically denied by their representa-
tives in Congress. Enterprising cot
ton factors and merchants like those in
the Augusta Convention should bring
their influence to bear on our law-ma-
kers at Washington; nor should our
home Legislators overlook the wants of
the producing classes under their juris-
diction. By neglecting our public du-
ties as citizens, our private fortunesare
greatly damaged.
1t is not in the power of any one |
man, nor of any twenty men, whether |
cotton factors or planters, to collect |
statistics of much value without legis-
lative aid. There would be no use In |
having organizations by counties and
States, supporting them by tax on
cultivated land. if they were incapable
of benefting the land in return. The
law of full and fair compensation must
not be violated. Does the Augusta
Convention point to any compensation
of Southern soil for the annual loss Of
$500. 600, OC0 worth of cotton? It's re.
searches are too restricted. 1t is
proper to compensate middle men
who buy and sell cotton; but it
is improper to manage the business
in way to produce one hundred MIL
lion acres Of exhausted fields in the
planting States.
Middlemen-and by these we mean
not cotton dealers-Con-
gress and the State Legislature are
largely responsible for this wholesale
land spoilation. Why cannot the
Southern keystone State lead off in a
great and lasting reform In this matter?
would be easier, nothing more
creditable. Probably not one Tennes-
seean in ten thousand wishes to see the
natural fruitfulness of the earth
impaired within its limits; yet
this is done by raising crops
10 sell and making no restl-
tuition to our fields in cultivation.
When will the educated people of the
South carefully study cotton and other
agricultural statistics, with a view to |
earn how much of their staple crops
come directly or indirectly from the
how much from the earth,
Ind how man mustrestore to compensate
or elements removed by his labor? So
ar as crops come from the air, no res 3
tuition is necessary, for the air is T
,reat ocean Of gases and vapors; but 5
otton planters have found it necessary
o expend indefinite millions of dollars :
or commercial fertilizers, and this a
-reat drain on the farmers pocket t
must fall, ultimately, with ever-increas-
ng weight, under our bad economy,
pom every person who eats bread or
7ears a shirt.
Fertilizers for the cotton plant now
ost all who in any way consume cotton,
S well as those who raise it, at least
vice as much as they ought to cost.
,oes Congress, with its decennial census
nd Department of Agriculture, meet {
be public wants in this industrial
roblam? Certainly not. No legisla
We act or suggestion has fairly con-
smplated the best ways and means to
npart fertility to needy soils and re-
uce the labor of making a bale of
otton on an acre of land TO the small |
It attainable quantity. III
Labor must pay for all commercial Of
ant food. Our poverty of soil, and N
me times poverty of purse, come to b!
} legitimately from the instruction til
I'd waste of honest industry. Indus
ial statistics would demonstrate this m
ct. If the masses would only require co
e Legislature and Congress to place ia
atistics on a sound basis, like the law %
gulating weights and measures
here was an age in human progress
, on, orarx, Yoaa rura of land o,r.a IN and |