The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-07

VASTLY IMPROVED CONDITION OF THE PLANTERS
AND FARMRRs-THE COTTON CROP NOT SO
LARGE BUT OF GOOD QUALITY-RAIsrNG THEIR
EASY.
RALEIGH Dec 8, 1873.
The year now drawing TO close has been, on the
whole, prosperous one with the farmers of this
State generally particularly with those living in
the cotton growing counties. The and it's results
entirely revolutionized the system Of farming in
North Carolina indeed they did in every Southern
STATE and the planters consumed several years after
the war in changing from the old system and expert
mentng in new ones. While this process was going
many sertous errors vere made and farming gen.
orally became very Improbable. The mistake which
has bankruptcd many planters WAS the OF at
tempting to cultivate the large number Of acres
which it their custom to do in antebellum
days. The result Of this for the most part was the
planter not being able to work SO much
land thoroughly it should have Deen scattering
and inferior crops harvested all of the proceeds
from which, too large portion thereof, went to
pay for labor. Another woful error. which for
number Of years proved very disastrous 10 the plan
tiers of this State. the system of pitching and
cultivzfing only money crops" and buying their
supplies. For instance. many farmers in the coun-
ties contiguous 10 this city for several years
ceeding the made nothing but cotton and bought
all of their corn, wheat. bacon and even provender
from the city grocery stores These two slone
had we'll nigh bankrupted tho whole farming popula-
ton until within the last three years. they stopped
this suicidal policy and commenced to seed
fewer scrS. work them well. improve the
land make more in small space and make
the 'money crop secondary consideration
that is first for the making at home OF their
own supplies. and then using their remaining capa-
city in the cultivation of cotton for the market This
also of that section of tho State which Guilt
Yates tobacco for money crop
MARKED IMPROVEMENT.
Since this lstter system has been in vogue the
dition Of the farmers has been gradually improving
aud the universally good crops this year have placed
them nearly ont OF debt The planters in this section
have ts year made larger variety Of produce than
in any year since the The cotton crop by which
every other il measured has not been altogether as
large some of the years past. but . general
rule 1t has b.-n OF much better quality, show
ing coDclusively That the farmers are coming
fewer making their products good
and improving and enriching their lands.
The sales of cotton in Raleigh have been much larger
and active this year than for the corresponding
months OF any year since the war; Two reasons are
derfuIy e . cotton market within the Last three
years, and has extended considerably it's trade terri
tory; and. in the second place. the crop. owing to
favorable seasor. quite forward this year. being
from ten 70 twenty-five days earlier than Il has been
for a~number Of years past.
GENERAL BUSINESS PROSPECTS BrTrER
As every trade and every industry depends
upon agriculture the improved condition OF the
planters is making itsen felt for the better in
gradually improving for the last three years. and
being financially much better of this year than they
been for many years past. they longer trade
upon the credit system and this fact together with
the general ceapness of every necessary OF life. has
had the effect TO improve every branch of trade.
Confidence is being rapidly restored. and now, IL
political turmoils be kept down and wise State
aud national legislation had. North Carolina day OF
prosperity and plenty will soon dawn.
CAPITAL. CONFIDENT.
Evidences of this abundant. but the best ndica
ton OF the Of the assertion IN the fact that
capitalists who step without hrst carefully
veyng the ground not only disposed but anxious
10 put their money at living rates of interest for
investment in busintss farmers do not now find IL
dinicult to borrow money to he uscd in carrying
agriculture. and men engaged i'm commercial pursuits
not hard pressed they have been for capital.
IL In too early yet to make estimate OF the next
years farming transactions in this section, but in
consequence of the improved condition of thecountry
and the people, particularly the planters with
money in circulation AZ large; with the general cheap
Of every thing especially labor IL IL reasonable
suppose that larger crops will he pitched next
than in 1875 and that portion Of the population
engaged in agriculture will begin the year 1859 with
greatly improved prospects and with brighter hopes
than they nave enjoyed at the beginning Ut any year
since 1886.