Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-09-20
Development ofthe South.

JUG dLbCLNlNh ~
is Just now being particularly directed
to the South, and the careful study that
is being made Of the late census reports,
showing the development made in this
section of the country, by the public
press, showing the extraordinary inter
est that is manifested in the develop
ment of the cotton-growing states. A
special report made by the census bur-
eau on the cotton production Of Louis
lana is an indication of the interesting
and valuable statistics that will be IN
bodied in the completed document. In.
formation is given as to the practice and
methods of agriculture and the results
of various kinds Of tillage and cultiva-
ton, laborer's 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 cotton
bulletin issued from New Orleans gives
some interesting information as to the
AGRICULTURAL operations 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 cultivs-
ton, is 4l3 pounds, or about even
eighths Of q bale 10 the acre. With q
more complete system OF farming and
the reclamation Of 100000 acres OF
land which is at present partially sub.
merged by overflows, it is estimated
that the cotton crop OF the state OF
Mississippi alone would be equal to the
entire crop now grown in all the cotton
producing states. In many of the
Southern states the soil has been allow
ed to degenerate for lack of the liberal
use Of fertilizers, but the planters are.
awakening to the importance and even
necessity OF snriching the land, and the
results already reached through the
medium OF q more liberal treatment Of
the soil are apparent in the largely
increased productions even in sections
where the land is less adapted to the
cultivation OF cotton. While in many
states these reforms have not been in
troduced to any appreciable extent, it
il very evident that the time Is not far
distant when every science known to
agriculture will be brought fully into
use, and the result will, Of course, be an
immense increase in the cotton pro.
duc,ion. 1t is undoubtedly the cast
that a lack OF capital has had u great
deal to do With the failure OF the South.
ern people to introduce the most i'm.
proved fertilizers and other agricultural
aids in the MANAGEMENT of their farm.
ing operations, hence the opportunity
| afforded for the investment OF Northern
capital "a apparent at a glance. The
system OF working plantations on shares
is entirely prevalent, and must eventu-
| ally be changed. Under it the land de-
teriorates in value, the tenant usually
sacrificing every consideration in order
to secure the largest yield from the
smallest possible outlay. The credit
system is also a most pernicious one;
and this coupled with heavy commits
sions, seriously reduces the profits both
OF the owner and the lsbor.r. II is ire
~ouently the case that oue.half or three
fourths of the crop is pledged for the
supplies necessary to operate tie plant
alton, which is, OF course, a serious dis
advantage to the agriculturist. The
profits Of cotton farming are OF course
variouslS estimated, but al the stats
tics 20 to show that there is no crop
more certain and none that can be rails
cd that assures q liberal return for the
outlay and labor invested in its pro
duction. But as We have indicated, thu
manner OF cotton production is steadily
being improved, and through the infiu,
Of Northern capital and q better system
OF labor, there can be no doubt as t.
the future prosperity OF the South be
yond ANYTHING that has ever been COG
templated in its history.