Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-17
Effect Of the Recent Storms and
Floods,

recent rains in this State, ana we nave
kept our readers very well informed of
the condition of affairs by the extracts
from these accounts, which we have
given from time to time in our column
of Georgia Affairs" To sum up, it
seems that the rains have been general
throughout Georgia and Florida. With
out exception the streams of both States
have been greatly swollen, and especially
this has been the case in Georgia. Bridges
have been swept away; there has been
much loss in fencing; creeks have be-
come rivers and running brooks creeks;
much stock has died from exposure; the
roads have been rendered well nigh i'm
passable, and, Notwithstanding the bright
weather of the past few days, their con
diiion is still a subject of general and
serious complaint.
This condition of affairs must result
necessarily in considerable inconveni-
ence as we'll as loss to our farming
population. With scarcely an excep-
ton our exchanges report that the early
sown oats have been completely killed,
and will have to be replanted. Besides
this large quantities Of cotton still re-
main in the fields ungathered, the plant
ers not having been able, on account of
the long continued inclemency of the
winter, to have it picked. 1t will
probably now never find its way to
market for two reasons. In the first
place, its long exposure to the elements
has so injured the fibre that it will not
sell for enough to pay for being
gathered, ginned and baled, and in the
second place, the season is at hand when
the ground should be prepared for the
next years crop, and all the spare time
and good weather at the disposal OF the
planter will henceforward have to be de-
voted TO that purpose. 1t would be poor
economy to neglect the next years crop
in order that the remnant which
is left of this years may
be picked, especially as such
remnant is universally pronounced al
most worthless. 1t is also very evident
now that the farmer at best will be late
in his planting this year. The ground
everywhere is reported as still thorough
ly soaked, and unfit for cultivation.
Not only, therefore, is the planting sea-
son already delayed, but some time yet
must elapse before it can be entered
upon in earnest.
1t is probable, then, that we shall have
a late and perhaps reduced cotton crop
next year Should this be the case,
we are of the opinion that the farmers
will not regret it. The prices of the
staple throughout this entire season have
been good, and, no doubt, sufficiently
remunerative to recompense the farmers
for what they have lost by the past I'M
precedented winter. Had the sea
son this year been as favorable as it
was last, this would not have been
the case. The good prices which have
prevailed, despite the increased receipts
this over last year, are due wholly to the
fact that while the number of bales has
been greater, the amount of good cot
ton" has not been any larger, if as large,
as last year Hence prices have kept up,
and the feeling is that they would have
steadily ruled even higher, but for the
fact that buyers are in doubt about the
final outcome Of the crop. They know
it is a large one, and so are cautious
about purchasing, but they also know
that it is greatly damaged, so when they
do purchase they pay good prices. There
is scarcely a doubt that if there
should be any material falling off in
receipts in the near future present prices
will materially advance, but if the South
this year had been able TO send to
market the largely increased crop in good
condition, prices would have ruled at a
point far below that at which they are
at present quoted.
If, therefore, the farmers, from the
lateness of the present season, or from
any other cause, shall be compelled to
produce reduced crop next year, they
will in all probability find that the good
prices they receive will amply compen-
safe them for the reduction. AT any
rate, it is gratifying to know that they
are in such good condition now that even
such winters as the present cannot ma
terially injure them, and that they have,
under any circumstances, good reason
to hope for continued improvement in
the future. Just after the war, when
our people were well nigh destitute, the
storms and floods which we have lately
experienced would have been Of serious
consequence. Now, fortunately, they
are but temporary drawbacks, and the
South has brilliant future before her.
She is on the high road to wealth, and,
as far as human foresight goes, is bound
to prosper All her people have to do
;c IN no trua tn themcalvps