The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1883-03-08

noes AxD Homxr tinsT-THR srRPIrs
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noes Axp HomNT rfnsT-THR srBPIrs
IN COTTON.
The cotton factors ofst. Louis have unit
ed in the following circular in the hope Of
influencing the growth of food products in
the South the coming season. We hope
the farmers in this section win take large
share of the advice themselves
sT. LOFTS. Mo-, Feb. "a, 1ss3.-To the
Merchants, Farmers, and Tenants of the
Cotton Belt: The South is now on the eve
of planting another crop, aud after an ex-
periencc Of seventeen yesrs il seems advis-
able that some change should be made in
her manner of farming, and VIC call your
careful attention to the following facts,
which are offered with the sincere hope
that the people will give them proper con-
sideration.
Your section possesses the finest farming
lands and the most salubTious climate in
the world, and should be to-day financial
" independent: instead Of having TO Dor
row on a crop before il is made, should
have her cOrn-bins and larders filed before
commencing n crop.
Compare your situation with the farmers
ofthe North and West. They, by sys-
tcmatic labor, are growing richer each
year, while You with patient toll and close
economy are neither 80 thriving nor pros
porous as Won should he.
There is cause for these troubles, and
we as cotton men, whose interest is close ly
identified with yours, believe we are
in position to note many of the evils that
exist, aud offer, without presuming, the
following suggestions:
]. The credit system, as at present in
vogue throughout the South, is disastrous
to the planters and tenants, forcing them
to pay extravagant prices for supplies, and
causing their crops to be forced into mar
l1et with such ranidity and in such guam
titles as to bring prices almost invariably
below cost of production.
2. After noting for years the effect of
large crops of cotton, we find that the
Over-productiOn of this staple is the key
note TO the situation, and we strongly adj
wise all parties interested in the prosperity
of the South to discourage the planting of
a large acreage this year, and devote their
labors first to the raising of grain, cattle
aud hogs, and give the balance of their
time to the culture of cotton.
This policy will bring good results in
many ways; for instance, many small far
meTs, and large ones also, are so heavily in
debt when their cotton is ready for sale
that they are compelled to let it go, even
though the price is below its intrinsic
worth; while, ifthey had supplies at home,
produced, and not bought on credit,
they could afford to hold their cotton until
they felt justified i'll selling.
The price of cotton to-day is fully Is per
cent. below the average of the past five
Years, while on the other hand, corn is SO
per cent. and provisions 30 per cent. above
the average. Thus you are losers both
ways.
With the production of enough provis-
ions on each farm, cotton would become
surplus, and soon the incubus of debt
w0nld be lifted from your people, and each
year would record strides of wealth
Decreased production of cotton, and in
creased production of bread, meat and
other necessaries will bring about a more
prosperous condition of affairs for tho
South, and instead of Sheriff sales To salts
fy the mortgages that the poor laborers
must row give, we would see grinding
poverty banished forever, and plenty
woul pour i'll upon you.
We ask that the merchants and planters
of each State, by calling Convention, or
in some practicable manner, agitatc this
question until the influence is felt through
out the entire cotton belt.
Signed by the following factors:
GILKEsON q SLoss Con-. Co,
ALLEN, WEST & Co,
HUMPHREY, MALONE d BLAME,
TAYLOR & Bush,
:. NJ. MCCALLUM Il Co,
And many others.