Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-14
COTTON AND CORN.
a Few Remarks by Planter that
Should Receive Consideration.

We copy the following from Bradstreefs,
it was written by "a Planter" and evidently
| before the occurrence of the foods:
1t is as important to the cotton planter as
to any other man of business that his plans
| should be laid on solid basis, and his ope.
rations be conducted intelligently. Perhaps
class, we have advanced more slowly
than others in this progressive age but we
are awakening to the great Importance of
radical changes that must be made in our
methods of producing and handling this
great staple. Too much cotton produced on
borrowed capital, then sold at cost of pro-
ductiOn, has been the mistake OF the South.
But the situation is changing, and l look
forward with more hope Than / have had
before, because now / have something to rest
that hope upon. Our farmers are beginning
70 think for themselves, to reason from cause
to effect, and TO gather around them all the
available helps, of which there are so many,
IN the way of improved elements, etc. / also
find them looking into the reason of thing,
and familisrizng themselves with the views
of Others, set forth 10 the leading agricul-
tural journals of the day. And / find such
newspsper as Bradstreets in the hands of
some, leading them into wider fields, and up
to more elevated points, where they can get
a broader view of the situation.
Your estimate of the cotton crop of 1S80-Sl
came 40 near the mark that it attracted my
attention and challenged investigation.
Your estimate of the crop of 1882,
believe, will prove very nearly correct. Most
Of the cotton is out of the interior, and the
receipts from now on must be very light.
The drouth of last summer, that was 80 gen.
eral throughout the cotton belt, produced the
most uufavorable results that | have ever
-s~os~a- Cotton picking commenced early
and, as the weather continued favorable, the
crop was rapidly gathered, and by December
LIST picking was about over, and in some in
stances ceased as early as November 1st.
Now came our disappointment, which will
illustrate by my own crop. felt satisfied,
from the aggregate weight of seduction,
hat had about 120 bales, averaging 500 |
pounds each, estim ating about 1900 pounds |
seed cotton 10 yield 800 pounds lint but il |
'ook about 1000 pounds to produce the bale |
got little less than 100. So far as can |
learn, this falling off in production of lint |
vas experienced all over the South, and this |
alone would reduces what was supposed to be
a 100000 crop to nearer 100000 bales. |
Now, what will be the result of this twenty |
per cent. shortage? A majority of planters in
this section, one of the richest in the whole
South, express themselves as determined to
plant less cotton and turn their attention in
part to the cultivation OF other crops that
are subject to fewer contingencies, and that
;an be handled with less labor. All of the
mall grains Except wheat), corn, tobacco,
'astor beans or the grasses will any of them
pay as we'll as cotton; and, should failure
-nsue, then the loss will be much lighter,
because the expenditure for labor has been
10 much less. TO prepare the land, plant,
cultivate and gather a cotton crop, It re-
luires fourteen times going over the same
ground with hand labor, while the small
rain crops can be made with going over
ur times with machine labor, and the
grasses with still less.
The necessities of the case also require
hat less cotton should be planted Many
farmers depend on commission merchants
or supplies of money and provisions, and in
90 many instances for corn, to enable them
o make crop. Most of these farmers are
already in debt, and the merchant feels timid
about making additional advances, an fire.
luently refuses. As a conse guence sufficient
;rain has to be planted TO supply breadstuff.
and provender for man and beast, or they
will go without.
anticipate that in this section the acre
ige will be at least fifteen per cent less in
lotion than last year. The outlook is rather
gloomy just now; for two months we have
lad excessively wet weather, and little has
,esn done toward farming.
Money matters are Close and times hard. !
nut our people are economiziDg severely, and
ook forward with courage and hope into
he brighter future that is now dawning
Ipoa the South PLANTER.
COLUMBUS, Miss, February a, 1852