The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-05-22
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The cotton States have, been especi-
ally persistent in dfsregarding the
eachings Of istatistios and defying the
laws or political economy. Every in
telligent, publicist knows that certain
amount OF money, soy present ave-
rage of $500. 600. coo, may be derived
from cotton. II the average quantity
is increased the rrioe dimiuishes, and
pice -rerSd. q. -
If fluctuations are frequent the spe.
culator or manufacturer. aud not the
producer. derives an advantage. II
you choose to produce 5000, 600 bales,
you obtain 10 cents per pound and
lose money; if yon grow but 8, 600, 900
bales, you get 20 cents per pound, and
obtain profit. Now, it is better for
the world. and. in series of years,
better fer the grover. to produce
regularly enough to supply The current
wants Of the trade at medium and
remunerative price, or as near regu-
lar supp'y as possible, for the vicissi-
tudes OF the season will inevitably
cause injurious fluctuations, despite
the highest efforts of human wisdom
aud foresight. AS the uses of cotton
| increase, and markets are extended
throughout the world, it's manufacture
will l>e enlarged. and its culture should
obtain corresponding enlargement.
To overstep the boundary of current
demand and glut the market, muy be
pleasing to the apeculator and to the
manufacturers, 80 far as he combines
speculation with weaving. but it is
death to tue grower.
There is much false reasoning on
this matter. A planter may trnIy
affirm that lie obtaina $50 per acre for
his cotton, and but S25 for his corn,
and he thereupon and therefore de-
clares that he will plant no more corn.
Let all net upon this suggestion, aud
instead Of $50 for the acre of cotton
and thut of corn, the total return of
the two acres of cotton will be but
$50. A surplus Of corn may be put
into meat, and wool, and whiskey, or
used to exc out scarcity OF some
kind OF forage for animals; bnt q sur
plus of cotton must wait for tho slow
grinding Of the mills of the fubricatinR
gods, usually until disgust ut low
prices reduces production correspond
ingly.
Thus, while cotton ia aud long will
be the leading product and the most
profitable field crop at fair prices, it's
prominence in the list has kept, and is
now keeping these States in compara-
tive poverty, which is unnecessary as
1t is inconyenient and injurious 1t
does not produce money enough to
give wealth to population OF nine
millions. Tho other crops, instead Of
barely eqnaling in the aggregate the
receipts from this. should represent at
least 81 for every one of cotton. The
census record of production in these
States is but S55S. 900. coo; the record
should be made 90 rend 81 500 900, 900.
With three-fourths of the people of
ten Stntos employ ed in agriculture, the
value Of agricultural products exceeds
bnt little that OF the States Of New
York ald Pennsylvania, where only
one-fonrth are so employed. The ave-
RACES for each person employed in
agriculture III those States are respect
lively. as deduced from tho census, SG77
and S707, while those Of Georgia and
Mississippi are S239 and $3.50 For
the ten States the average is S267; for
the four populous Middle States 1856.
Even the States producing cheap corn
show larger retarn, the average for
one mans labor in the five States be.
tween the Ohio River and the lakes
being $49S, while the six sterile East.
ern States produce $500 for each
farmer. It may be the census is less
complete in the cotton States. but it is
undeniable that agricultural industry
makes smaller aggregate retnrn there
than in any other section. Nor is the
reason wanting; it is due to the pro.
minence of cotton, the return for which
is substantially fixed quantity, and
the neglect of other resources.
Let US glnnce at the topography and
capabilities of this section. The area
occupied by cotton, allowing 10 per
cent. addition to usual estimates, is
less than nefortieth of the surface oi
these States; it is bnt one thirteenth
OF the proportion actually occupied as
farms. Forty six per ceut. Of the cen
sus crop was grown in 81 Counties,
which are all that producs rs much as
ten thousand bales each; aud II net
cent. grew i'll 2l5 Counties, making
not leas than five bales each The total
acreage in cotton is scarcely moro than
one.Sixteenth Of the surface Of Texas.
What is to be done with the other tif
teen-sixteenths? \ very large proper.
tion OF the area OF these Suites is