The patron of husbandry., 1881-06-25
Cost OF Raising Cotton.

Cost OF Raising Cotton.
Editor Patron: With this find
an article from the New Orleans
Picayune of June 4, 1851, please
copy as it bears directly upon the
subject of this.
The estimates of cost of raising
cotton are usually based on hiring
cotton raised and not on what the
producer gets, there is the difference
in the estimates and the facts.
Cotton raising has about settled
upon one of two plans: first, the
labor gets part of the crop; second,
the farmer does the labor.
Ist. The land owner has, say 200
acres, that he wishes cultivated, six
mules, necessary buildings, farming
implements, and feed for mules.
He secures the necessary labor, who
receive the use of houses, gardens,
fuel, pasturage foi cows, and say
one-third of the crops made. They
are to do all farm work necessary
for repairing, cultivating, saving
and marketing the crops, under the
supervision and direction of the
land owner; who will have about
90 acres planted in corn, which will
usually yield I,44o bushels, and A.
400 pounds of fodder. About I4o
acres will be planted in cotton,
crossed every 20 feet in corn, yield
iEg about 200 pounds of lint cotton,
6 bushels of corn, and 90 pounds of
fodder per acre; aggregating $4,000
pounds lint cotton, $40 bushels of
corn, and S,4oo pounds of fodder.
He will raise about 1900 pounds of
pork in mule lot from the waste
(droppings) Of mules. The interest,
wear and other expenses, including
taxes, will be about $40 to the
mule, amounting to $40. The bag
ging and ties will sell for as much
or more than they cost. The yearly
sheet will stand about thus:
-... DIR.
To interest, wear, taxes, .$24o oc
.,.s.-.. Cr.
By $4,000 pounds cotton, less one
third, o,333, to labor. 1906
By 2,28o bushels of corn, less one
third, 100, to labor and 600 to
ules............-........ ..-....,......... O2C
By 2,Soo pounds fodder, less one
third, 1900, to labor, and 1900
10 mules....... .......................-.... 3,2OC
By 1000 pounds of Pork. ............... 200
Out of the 1866 pounds of cot
ton, go bushels of corn, 1900
pounds of fodder and 200 pounds
of pork will have to be paid $40,
the balance is what the land owner
receives for his services, use of
lands, mules, etc.
I'd. The farmer rents one mule,
twenty-five acres of land, house,
garden, use of gin, crib, stable and
pasture for COW, for which he will
pay out of the crop 1000 pounds of
lint cotton, or 500. He will plant
10 acres in corn, and will make 24o
bushels, and I 400 pounds of fodder.
Will plant fifteen acres in cotton,
crossed every 20 feet in corn, will
make 1900 pounds of lint cotton,
90 bushels of corn, and 600 pounds
of fodder, will raise 200 pounds of
pork in mule lot. The milk from
cow and vegetables from garden
will not be estimated, wear on far
ming tools, taxes, etc., $40.
Balance sheet, DIR.
To rents, taxes, wear, .$I1o
Cr.
BY 5000 pounds cotton. 1000
By $50 bushels corn, less 100 to mule
and for bread ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. I5o
By 5000 pounds of fodder, less 1000
to mule........ ...................... -. 200
My respects to Mr.. Lillard, and
analysis of his answers to my twelve
questions:
I. Georgia farmer makes six bales
cotton, worth $500; 300 pounds
pork, worth $12; total product, or
net profits, $31a. His neighbor
make II bales, worth 5000; paws
$I2 for 900 pounds. pork, and $50
interest on $1,000; his net profits
$5oS.
2. One hand costing 81 900 makes
S5o8, net, is something over "three
per cent"
3. Have not looked up the census
of 1850.
s. Pleads ignorance.
6. A grand speculation to rely on
bayonets to pry money out of a
people that have nothing, and are