The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-03-17
Advice to the South.

Hogs and Hominy First-The Surplus in
COtton.-GOod Council to Southern
Farmers.
The cotton factors of st. Louis have united in
the following circular in hope of influencing
the growth of food products in the South the
coming sesson:.
ST.. LOUIS. Mo-, February 2t, 1870 the
Merchants Farmers and Tenants of the Cotton
Belt: The South is now on the eve of planting
another crop. and after an experience of seven
teen years it seems advisable that some change
should be made in her manner of farming, and
we call your careful attention to the following
facts, which are offered with the sincere hope
that the people will give them proper consider
alton.
Your section possesses the finest farming
lands and the most salubrious climate in the
world, and should be to-day financially inde-
pendent; instead Of having to borrow on q crop
before it is made, should have her corn-bins
and larders filled before commencing a crop.
Compare your situation with the farmers of
the North and West. They by systematic labor
are growing richer each year. while you with
patient toll and close economy are neither SO
thriving nor prosperous as you should be.
There is a cause for these troubles, and We as
cotton men, whose interest is closely identified
with yours, believe we are in a position to note
many of the evils. that exist and offer, without
presuming, the following suggestions:
/. The credit system, at present in vogue
throughout the South, is disastrous to the plan
ters and tenants, forcing them to paw extrava-
'ssant prices for supplies, and causing their crops
to be forced into market with such rapidity and
in such quantities as to break prices almost in
variably below cost of production.
2. After noting for years the effect of large
crops of cotton. we find that the over-produc-
tion of this staple is the keynote to the situa-
ton, and We strongly advise all parties interes-
ted 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 and 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 farmers, and
large ones also, are SO heavily In debt when
their cotton is ready for sale that they are COM
PEELED to let it go, even though the price is be-
plies at home, produced, and not bought on
credit, they could afford to hold their cotton
until they felt justified in 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 33 per cent. and pro-
visions so per cent above the average. Thus
are you losers both ways.
With the production OF enough provisions on
soon the incubus of debt would be lifted from
your people, and each year would record rapid
strides to wealth.
Decreased production of cotton, and increased
production of bread. meat and other necessaries
will bring about q more prosperous condition
of affairs for the South, and instead of Sheriff
sales to satisfy the mortgages that the poor
laborers must now give, we would see grinding
poverty banished forever. and plenty would
pour in upon you.
We ask that the merchants and planters of
each State by calling convention, or in some
practicable manner, agitate this question until
belt.
Signed by the following cotton factors:
Gilkeson & Sloss Com. Co., Allen West & Co.,
Humphrey, Malone & Blake Taylor & Bush, s.
NJ. McCallum l. Co., Chas. G. PEPPER l. Co.
Adler. Goldman & Co., Wolf Bros. & Bath,
Meyer Il Aronson, Wilson d Co. Senter & Co.
Hill. Fonta1ne l. Co.. Thos. H Allen & Co.. W
F. Obear. I. NJ. Wiener Il Co.. H. W. Brooks 4
Co.. Sayle, Stegau & Co, Warren, Love l. Co.
Fisher Bros. i Co., A. X. Bonham & Co.