Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1880-06-19

manufacturers; DuJ owing 10 tue SeIl""
fever ut Memphis, one of our prj cipa!
cities, the matter was postponed indei
nateIy. l may state also, that up to the
breaking out of the fever at Memphis,
our membership had increased very rap
idly, but all work ceased after our July
meeting, and was not resumed until No
vember. Had this interruption :ot oc-
Cured, it is fair to assume we would now
have at least three times our present
membership.
In November last, when the AssocIa-
ton resumed its active lahors, number
of brave and liberal members determined
to put it on permanent and lasting ba-
sis, in Il manner that would let the world
see they were in earnest i'll their Efforts
for the public good, by establishing Il
first-class Industrial and agricultural
journal and review, as the official organ
of the Association, and to supply also
long felt necessity to our country.
The Planters Journal is the result Of
their efforts, and how we'll they ccecd-
ed, l leave for others to say. 1t ID my
duty, however, to tell you, that instead
of being tax on its innugusat ors, it has
been self-sllst aiming from the start, and
is now making money, with al increas-
ing subscription aud advertising patron
age almost unprecedented in Journalism.
This demonstrates to the most indItier-
ent that ourclass are IL power behind the
throne; that they rave only to speak t."
be heard with attention, and that this
unpa ralcled p tronage of their organ IS
IL Just tribute to the planting class and
the great purposes Of this Association. Is
this not sufficient to make even the most
thuughtlcss of us reflect on what we
conld actually accomplish with hearty
and general co-operntion? 1 tell you
here day that the principles, plainly
set forth and defined by this Association, 3,
are the only ones by which our country.
under any circumstances, can hope TO at
tain that prosperity which will enable
her to assume the commanding position
to which she is justly entitled, by her
great natural advantages. l do not
mean to say that tho whole farming
community are to become membt Is OF the
Association n''lOJe Sii'.N Ne'i S''''o
to the country. The Association IS but
an idea, II representative OF principles.
Some other Association may come along
and ours may die tomorrow. But, whetll-
er prosperity is fastened by this Associa-
ton. through farmers clubs, or by the
ORANGES, or by an Association with any
other maine, do not say it car come on
" by the carrying ont the great pri'ci-
ole of CO. operation, co-cvhl with time II
self, that underlies them all. The "ian-
fer who first ma6es his own meat and
bread and raises his own work-stock, IN
stead of depending on the smoke-bouses,
! corn-crihs and work ock from the co"n-
tries north Of MS for these supplies. Will
be the first to get rich, and III ten years
such a one Will be able to buy his neigh
| hor alongside who clings to the all cot
| ton uIan. If added to this he will 1ertil.
ize his land every year and purchase ln
| proved implements, and keep pace wit!
the economic and progressive tendencies
of his age in agriculture, he ~ill leave tt
his miiy a landed heritage, Iar more
fertile than when he received it, and ;
GOOD bank account besides.
One of the most appalling aud sades
sirns of our fut urc, my fl liends, is the rap
id deterioration Of our lands, which cvel
the most casual observer must have no
ticed. Why, my tatner has often tol'
me that tue plantation L now own II
Washir gton county, Mississippi, in loo
or '53 produced by actual measurement
over 500 pounds of lint cotton per acr
for every acre planted IN cotton. W
now consider 25O to 300 pounds Of lint
good average yield. And l maintm
that this depreciation in lands apple
generally to our whole country. III
bottom lands Of the Mississippi Vale
are acknowledged to be the finest OF an
cotton lands in the Union; and i beheN
that their presents average yield docs nc
exceed 300 pounds of lint cotton per ac
and probably $50, OF even 300 ponn'
won!G better represent it. What Il COZ
. mentary this is upon the way they far
in Japan, where. according to histor
their lands are ric,.er to-day than the
5 were II thousand years ago, with consta
cultivation ever since. The Japanc
i, have more recognized holidays than al
nation in the world, and their work da
never exceed eight hours, while they p:
a rental in kind, gIcotcr than almost III
, other people, and, at the same time, the
p farms represent almost a fairy land.
, These are reflections which shOu
a bring about timely individual action
u the subject 10y our people, the lmp'
t,nce of which cannot be too greatly
. timatrd.
). Tue cotton seed question: my frien'