The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1874-01-17
Opelousas Parish Of st. Landry, La, January II, 1874
Communicated.

1t has been aptly said that "history is expe-
rlence teaching by example !" and if it can be
accepted as an axiom to shape future political
and commercial interests, it will equally apply
to agricultural matters in calling up serious
reflections to the minds of the planters, in
adopting a safer and more remunerative sys-
tenn for the year just dawned upon u.s. In the
States where "Granges" or the '6'atons of Hus-
bandry" are fully organized and acting in cor
porate bodies, well matured plans have been
fully digested, and assumed the force and
character Of regular ordinances to govern fu-
ture planting interests. One of the main fea-
lures of this organization of farmers Or plant
ers is Economy. All Of its members are pledg-
ed to q rigid system of retrenchment in ex-
penses, to c0nfne themselves as nearly as pos
sibie to their own resources in cultivating and
"running" their farms, and are to draw their
auxiliary aid from the strength, unity and
moral force of the Association. "Out of debt
out OF danger is their watchword ; and i'll or
der to reach this goal, and to realize that sin
unity there is strength" the subordinate and
State Oranges have special agents appointed
to purchase at wholesale prices all the sup
plies, farming utensils, &c, required by them.
The surplus crop of cotton, and side crops, are
shipped to these agents, who sell them for the
highest market prices, and the grangers indi-
vidualy reap the legitimate profits of their
crops, which under the old system, passed into
the hands of commission merchants, middle
men" and Wall street brokers. Under the
grangers' organization, mortgages upon home
steads and first privileges upon growing crops
are unknown; but it is their object, by har-
monlous cooperation in a well devised system
of organized economy, to remove these accu-
mulating membranes upon the vital indus
try Of the country, to avert ever-recurring
disasters of the past, and to establish labor
upon a firm, dignitied and independent basis
in the future.
This movement is not antagonistic to, nor
an onslaught upon our local OF metropolitan
merchants. 10 the contrary, the vigor de-
rived from this reg linen Of economy by the in
dustrial body, will permeate the whole consti-
tuition of commerce, and new era of pros
perity will smile upon the country. More
money will be made and it will circulate more
extensively at home. Planters will buy less,
but will be able to pay for what they get.
! Merchants will sell for cash or we'll secured
credits and ask smaller profits.
Under the old system of long credits and
| fabulous commissions on the part of mer-
chants, and extravaganza in purchases and
excess of cotton planting to the detriment OF
raising breadstutfs by the Southern planters,
the Gulf States have almost been brought to
ruin. succession of failures in the cotton
crop, an insufficient production of corn, cereals
and other side crops, and q consequent non,
attention to raising meat at home have thrown
the planters i'll debt to their merchants. The
latter arc consequently paralyzed in their
commercial promptit ude, and the ''money
| ucaItIS VIZ "d1l Stitct Will StOiS
away what little cotton was made during the
last year, with the handsome profits to accrue
thereon. Will we not profit by an imperative
experienced If so, what remedy shall be ap
| piled to fOrestall similar ills in the future
| The different Oranges in the South say, Plant
| less cotton and more corn, grasses, peas, pota
| toes, &c. Raise your own meat at home, re-
| trench to the last possible limit, and be as
near selfsustaining as possible i'll all the exi
gencies of the farm. Be sure of a living al
home and make cotton your surplus crop
| Cotton is u poor commander" when cater
pillars yearly invade the field. He will gel
| CLEANED out" every time, and withouta strong
commissariat to fall back apon, would starve
to death before his forces could give battle
again. You might say that he is "leading tho
fOrlorn hope" now, and if due provision is moi
made for well-illed haversacks, all will fal
in the breach.
i Caterpillar antidotes are to great extent
empirical, and granting they were sure spe
citics for the ills cotton is heir to, would no
furnish cure to our industrial disease. Lik'
a gourmand who is gouty from his excesses
so is commerce suffering from surfeit of cot
ton. variety is the spice of life." and WI
would have more "spice' in ours if the crop
were varied somewhat from cotton. The "Pa
irons of Husbandy" have as yet but few or
ganizations in this State and none in our par
ish but until We become members of tina
body, we should adopt their principles ou
textbook, and assimilate our plans and puI
poses to their own, as nearly as We can a
separate individuals. Who will test il for tn
coming year as an experiment. J.M.T.
Church Point, La, Jan. 4, 1874.