The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1883-06-21
Are We Making Progress?

Ger has barely averaged nine cents
per pound for his crop. Indeed,
many ia..s1crs have not realized
Fan average price Of eight cents per
pound for the last six years. The
annual increase of production has
been sufficient to meet all the de-
mands of consumption, and it would
seem shat the prices are not likely
to average any higher for years to
come. The production of cotton
will readily respond to any extraor
linary demand, and the stimulus of
two or three cents per pound added
to the present prices would be suf-
iicient in two years to carry the total
production up to eight or nine mill
lions Of BALES. The capacity of the
South for growing cotton IS being
annually developed in greater ratio
of increase than the demand of the
world for the product. This increase
is now and will, for years to come.
be limited BY the increase in popu-
lation of the cotton producing States;
and the rate Of increased production
may be augmented by the use OF
improved methods, higher fertiliza-
| tion and more prolific varieties. So
! it would seem that there is no prob
ability OF any considerable or perma-
nent advance in the market price of
cotton.
Under these circumstances 1t
would be well for the Southern far
mer to pause In his career and con
slider we'll whether he can afford to
make cotton for the remainder of his
life at present prices whether he
cannot do better by lessening the
cotton area on his farm, employ bet
ter methods on that reduced area,
and at the same time develop other
resources for profitable enterprise.
The farmers of Texas, Arkansas,
and Louisiana, with their rich river
and prairie lands may vet follow the
old methods, and they can certainly
produce cotton cheaper--by such
methods than the farmers of the
old cotton states. The conclusion,
then, is that the older states must
bring to bear a greater degree of care
and skill, q better system OF farming
more intelligent appreciation of
the economies of cotton production.
We are glad to note that this is be-
ing brought about in many parts of
South Carolina, Georgia, and to a
less degree, perhaps, in adjoining
states. Middle Georgia is casting
about for some other reliance for in
come than the receipts from the cot
ton crop. The change will probably
take the permanent direction of a
large and steady increase in the pro-
duction of fruits for shipment to
Northern markets, both in the fresh
and dessicated state, and of develop
ing the advantages Of this section
for producing mutton and beef, and
for dairy purposes.
Southwestern Georgia is waking
up to the Importance Of truck farm
ing, and thousands of acres are year.
ly added to the area in melons and
garden vegetables. The business
is new and comparatively uutried,
but the results heretofore haye been
satisfactory and the prospect in iu-
ture is encouraging. One thing is
remarkable in this new development,
that it involves but little radical
change in the methods and no ex-
pense in the way of permanent fix
lures, machinery, etc. If it proves
Improbable it can easily Degiven up.
Besides the truck farmer need not
give up cotton culture until assured
by few years experience that lie
cannot afford to make cotton at pres
ent prices.
These farmers are thus waking up
to the daogers and the possibilities
of the situation. The efforts Of
the State Department of Agri-
culture, the appeals and a.gu-
ments agricultural of speakers
and writer's. and, more than all,
the experience OF those who first lis
tened to the teachings Of common
sense, and put theories to the test OF
practice, have had the effect to stir
the energies and renew the hopes Of
the people. There Is life in the old
land yet.
But while this awakening has ex
tended over large section of the
country, yet it is true that . great
many of the farmers are following
the same old beaten track, trying to
make their old worn ont fields pro.
duce remunerative crops by the sole
aid of few pounds of guano. They
are still the unprofiting owners of
gullled hillsides, dilapidatcd homes,
fences and barns, two quart cows
and razor backed hogs. They still
balance the pumpkin with rock,
and stupidly protest against all the
suggestions Of science, refusing to
be taught by books, newspapers,
agricultural conventions, or personal
appeals, but deiude themselves with
the belief that they and their daddies
knew more about farming than any
body else.
The race of these is rapidly be-
coming extinct, from natural causes
and the accession of the younger
generation to the ranks of progress,
and the next generation, We firmly
trust will witness an era of prosper
ity that the South has never before