The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1883-06-16
ARE WE MAKING PROGRESS?

pOu0O ZOE Ills CIOp. luuSC''1 many
farmers have not realized an average
price Of eight cents per pound for the
last six years. The annual increase in
production has been sufficient to meet
all the demands of consumption, and
it would seem that prices are not likely
to average any higher for years to
come. The production OF cotton readi-
ly responds to any extraordinary
demand, and the stimulus of two or
three cents per pound added to the
present prices would be sufficient in
two years to carry the total production
M to eight or nine millions of bales.
The capacity of the South for growing
cotton is being annually developed in
a 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 only by the
rate of increase of population of the
cotton producing States and the rate
of increased production may be aug
mented by the use of improved
metho,ls, higher fertilization and more
prolific varieties. So it would seem
that there is no probability of any con-
siderable or permanent advance in the
market price of cotton.
Under these circumstances it would
be well for the Southern farmer to
pause in his career and consider 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 better methods on that
reduced area, and at the same time
develop other RESOURCES for profitable
enterprise. The farmers of Texas, Ar
kansas and Louisiana, with their
rich river and prairie lands may yet
follow the old methods, and they can
certainly produce cotton cheaper--by
such methods--than the farmers of the
older cotton States. The conclusion,
then, is that the older States must bring
to bear greater degree of care and
skill, abetter system OF farming, n more
Intelligent appreciation of the econo.
mics of cotton production. We are
glad to note that this is being brought
aboutss in many parts Of South
Carolina, Georgia, and, to a less degree,
perhaps, in adjoining States. Middle
Georgia is casting abou: for some other
reliance for income than the receipts
from the cotton crop. The change
will prOpably take the permanent di-
rection of large aud steady increase
In the production of fruits for ship
ment to Northern markets, both in the
fresh and dessicatcd state, and of lie.
veloping the advantages of this section
for producing mutton and beef, and
for dairy purposes.
Southwestern Georgia is waking up
to the great Importance Of truck farm
ing, and thousands of acres are yearly
added to the area in melons and garden
vegetables. The business is yet new
and comparatively untried, but the
results heretofore have been satisfactory
and the prospects in future is encourage
ing. One thing is remarkable in this
new development, that 1t involves but
little radical change in the methods
and no expense in the way of per.
manent fixtures, machinery, ect. lit
proves Improbable it can be easily
given up. Besides the truck farmer
need not give up cotton culture until
assured by II few years experience that
he cannot afford to make cotton ut
present prices.
These farmers are thus waking up to
the dangers and the possibilities of the
situation. The efforts of the State
Department of Agriculture, the appeals
and arguments of agricultural speakers
and writer's, and, more than all, the
experience of those who first listened
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 cx-
tended over large sections of the coun-
try, yet it is true that n great many of
the farmers are following the same old
beaten track. trying to make their old
worn out fields produce renumerative
crops by the sole aid of II few pounds
of guano. They are still the unproti,-
ing owners of quilted hillsides, dilapi-
dated homes, fences and barns, two
quart cows and razor backed hogs.
They still balance the pumpkin with a
rock, and stupidity protest against all
the suggestions of science, refusing to
be taught by books, newspapers, agri.
cultural conventions, or personal ap.
peals, but delude themselves in the
beliefthat they and their daddies know
more about farming than anybody else.
The race of these is rapidly becom-
ing extinct, from natural causes and
the accession of the younger generation