The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-10-30
From Cotton" New York
The Changers Of MisSiSsiEfdi.


The Grangefs of this State organ
lied some years ago, but owing TO
the generally impoverished condi-
ton of the farming classes before
last year, have, while retaining the
form Of the organization, done little
towards perfecting the same and
carrying out its original purposes.
They are, however, under their bet
tered circumstances, and the reason
able promises of the future, inclined
to revive. In fact they are fairly
active now, and propose to go for
ward, realizing. as far as depends
upon human effort, their cherished
plans, They have not been able
heretofore to carry out those plans,
because of their dependence upon
merchants and banks for the capi-
tai needed in carrying OH their far
ming operations. To be in debt has
been the rule with them, with only
here and there solitary exception,
and credits they have obtained have
generally cost SO much that they
have had an exceedingly hard road
to travel. The remunerative price of
cotton last year enabled many of
them to pay out, and in many cases
where g reasonable economy has
been practiced this year, there
should be after the disposal of the
now growing crop, surplus of
money in their hands. This is true
of and applies more especially to the
small farmers and planters, whose
former Indebtedness grew rather out
of poor crops and low price of cot
ton than out of the habits of extrav-
agance. The largest proprietors
have, from habit and the demands
which attend upon their higher po-
sition, and some instances from in
clination. been more eXrtavagant,
and are consequently more embar-
rassed, and will be longer in free
ing them elves from debt
The Grangers are more numerous
among the smaller than the larger
proprietors, and the tendency to re
vival in the Order applies more par
ticularly to the first named and these
from doing business in smaller
way, feel more sensibiy the need of
the economies promised by the Or
der under a full development of its.
plans.
The farmers say they must COM
bine for protection and the more
economical management of their
business; that by combination they
will exert the influence which prop
erly belong to the largest industrial
class that exists, and upon whose
industries all other industries rest,
or are mainly dependent. They say
they see combinations being formed
in many other branches of business
or trade, and where they do not see
them they strongly suspect their ex-
istence; and they argue that. if ne
cessity for the like exists with 9th ers,
and is profitable, why not with
them? They are establishing agen-
cies for the sale of their products
and the purchase of their supplies;
and propose to establish stores upon
the cooperative plan as experience
and a clearer understanding of the
system shall justify. They propose
a greater diversity of crops and a
consequent lessened production of
cotton. They propose the establish
ment ot banks as capital increases,
and to divert portion of the labor
and skin and capital of the country
into .aanufactures. The value of
the Clement Attachment, and SINH
lar contrivances for spinning yarn,
will be thoroughly tested by expert
ment, and extensively adopted if
found to be what is claimed for
them.
Indeed, we are promised a great
awakening by our Southern Grang-
ers, and they propose to demonstrate
to the world that the native intellect
of the dwellers within the lower
temperate zone of this continent is
capable of the highest development
known to civilization with less
marked and striking physical capac-
ity.