Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-11-24
LIKE PREACHING IN THE
DESERT.

irving in this country, that with many
other journalists, we've grown weary
Of hammeiing away at this subject,
one however, in which is involved the
future not only Of every citizen, but
that of his children, and we fear, even
Of his grandchildren. =
It must be admitted that the plant
ing system, proper, is, generally
speaking, failure, despite the UNI
questionable fertility Of our soil.
The lessons Of the past few years
teach us that planting must give way
to farming, which latter means a dil
versity Of crops, stock raising and
the production of as many articles for
home consumption as can possibly be
obtained from our soil.
WedO not mean that the culture OF
cane and cotton should be abandoned,
but we do mean that our agriculture
lists can no longer afford to stake their
all from year to year in such culture,
on a large scale. First, a freeze ruins
the sugar planter, then the caterpillar
or an unfavorable season does the
same to the cotton planter.
1t can almost DO said Of our plant
ers that they are engaged in gam
bling.
Farming would not stand in the
same position.
The man who would begin opera
tons by cultivating vegetables, escu-
Tents, fruits, corn; raise poultry and
stock of every variety, could afford,
when the worst came, to stand a
short yield from his well-cultivated
surplus of cotton and cane; when he
can't do it, now that his oil rests upon
either of these two products.
The immense tracts Of cultivated
and uncultivated acres must be sub.
divided into fans. In the cane
growing regions, central factories
must snpercedo the many ill-managet
aud costly mills that eat up q grea
proportion of the product in expenses
! which would not be incurred by cen
r trail factories, which, with improved
j. machinery and skilled engineers ant
I, sugar makers, would manufacture tn
article at the least possible cost.
We would then have two classes
4 The sugar manufacturer, who nigh
!. not earn as much in disastrous years
q but would not be totally ruined; an
d the cane grower, who wonld hav
q something to fall back on when tb
L cane failed him, in whole or in part.
The same rule, rs far as 1t goes
r will apply to the cotton producer.
: The transformation from the plant
II ing to the farming system, it must b
is conceded, has become almost an at
o sOlute necessity.
}, This can only be effected by sub
q dividing the lands under cultivatio
and those lying idle.
"a Then we must set about to popu
t late them.
t. This cannot be done, unless o prit
% is set upon them and they are mac
If ready to receive the settlers.
rs Individual action cannot effect Il
% purpose in view. ra
70 Neither will cooperation based
donations, which may do well enme
or in o moment of enthusiasm that ca
e. not however, be expected to last.
p Cooperation must pay in order
W be permanent.
i A few weeks ago the CAPIToLIi
:. suggested the idea, which the Fe
3
= ciana Sentinel and other emerged
~ journals have caught up.
- 1t is the only one that seems
promise success.
ne We will again develop it in a Il
at words:
ire Stock companies should be form
is in every parish, for purchasing Ian
'ie that are being sold daily, for sor
vi almost. These could be shown
maps, with the prices or terms affix
,he thereon. Theprices and terms shot
be put down IN such a manner as
ensure a reasonably handsome pro
iOu to the stockholders, while these " Ot
be- be within reach Of the emigrant, "
lea would know toa certainty that VII
ai- bo lands in RatOn ROuOn. FIR instan