The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-09-22
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH.

The attention of northern capital
lists is just now being particularly
directed to the south. and the care
full study that is being made of the
late census reports, showing the de-
velopment made in this section of
the country, by the public press,
shows the extraordinary interest
that is manifested in the develop
ment of the cottOn-growing states.
A special report made by the CEN
sus bureau on the cotton production
of Louisiana is an indication of the
interesting aud valuable statistics
| that will be embodied in the COM
pleted document. Information is
given as to the practice and meth
DDS of agriculture ana the results
of various kinds Of tillage and cul-
tivation, laborers' wages, the risks
incurred, price and rent of land and
the profits of cotton-grOwing per
acre. A similar plan for securing
information, varied to suit the
particular locality, is to be extended
to other southern states. The cot
ton bulletin issued from New Or
leans gives some interesting infOr-
nation as to the agricultural opera
tions in Louisiana, and points out
some of the defects of southern
farming systems. 1t states that in
the YazoO bottom in Mississippi
the acreage, even with imperfect
cultivation, is 413 pounds, or about
seven-eighths of a bale to the acre.
With a more complete system OF
farming and the reclamation of 81
100000 acres of land, which is at
present partially submerged by
Overfows,it is estimated that the cot
ton crop of the state of Mississippi
alone would be equal to the entire
crop now grown III all the cotton
producing states. In many of the
southern states the soil has
been allowed to degenerate
for lack of the liberal use
of fertilizers, but the planters are
awakening to the importance and
even necessity of enriching the land,
and the results already reached
through the medium of a more lib
eral treatment of the soil, are APP
parent in the largely increased pro-
auctions, even in sections where
the land is less adapted to the Guilt
vation of cotton. While in many
states these reforms have not been
introduced to any appreciate eX-
tent, il is very evident that the time
is not far distant when every science
known to agriculture will be
brought fully into use, and the re-
suit will, of course, be an immense
increase in the cotton production.
1t is undoubtedly the case that a
lack of capital has had a great deal
to do with the failure of the south
ern people to introduce the most
improved fertilizers and other agri-
cultural aids in the management of
their farming operations, hence the
opportunity afforded for the invest
ment of northern capital is appar-
ent at glance. The system of
working plantations on shares is en-
tirely too prevalent, and must
eventually be changed. Under
it the land deteriorates in
value, the tenant usually sacrificing
every consideration in order to Sc
cure the largest yield from the small
est possible outlay. The credit sys-
tenn is also a most pernicious one
and this coupled with heavy COM
missions, Seriously reduces the prof
its both of the owner and the labor
er. 1t is frequently the case that
one-half or three-fourths of the crop
is pledged for the supplies necessary
to operate the plantation, which is,
OF course, serious disadvantage to
the agriculturist. The profits of
cotton farming are of course vari-
ously estimated, bat all the statis-
tics 90 TO show that there is no crop
more certain and none that can be
raised that assures liberal return
for the outlay and labor invested in
its production. But, rs we have in
Dictated, the manner of cotton pro-
duction is steadily being improved,
and through the influx of northern
capital and q better system OF labor,
there can be no doubt as TO the fu-
ture prosperity of the south beyond
anything that has ever been contem-
plated in its history.-Bdltimore Ga
zette.