San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-03-15
Advice TO the South.
Hoes AND HoMISY FIRsT-THE SURPLUS In
COTToN.

Hoes AND HoMISY FmsT-THE SURPLUS In
CoTToN.
The cotton factors of st. Louis have uni
ted in the following circular in the hope OF
;1iluencing the growth of food product s IN
the South the coming season:
ST. LOUIS Mo-, February ~, lSS3.-io
the Merchants, Farmers, and Tenants OF the
Cotton Belt The South il now on the eve
of planting another crop, and after an exPe-
rience of seventeen years 1t seems advisable
that some change should be made in her man.
ner of farming, and we call your carerui at-
tention to the following facts, which are Of
fered with the sincere hope that the people
will give them proper consideration.
Yonr section possesses the finest farming
lands and the most salubrious climate in the
world, aud should be to-day financially indie
pendent; instead of having to borrow on
crop before it is made. should have her corn
bins and larders filled before commencing
crop.
Compare your situation with the farmers
in the North and West. They by systemat-
ic labor are growing richer each year,
while YOU with patient toll and close econo-
nv are neither SO thriving nor prosperous as
YOU should be.
There is cause for these troubles, and
we rs cotton men, whose interest is closely
identified with yours, believe we are in po-
sition to note many of the evils that exist,
and 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
nav extravaganza prices for supplies, end
causing their crops TO be forced into market
with such rapi1ity and in such quantities as
to break 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 Keynote to
the situation and we strongly advise al par
ties interested in the prosperity of the South
to discourage the planting of 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 far-
mers. 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,
if they had supplies 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 10 per
cent. below the average Of the past five years,
while, on the other hand, corn is 33 per cent
md provisions 80 per cent above the aver
age. Thus are you losers both ways.
With the production of enough provisions
on each farm, cotton would become surplus,
and soon the incubus of debt would be lift
ed from your people, and each year would
record rapid strides in wealth.
Decreased production of cotton, and in
creased production of bread, meat and other
necessaries will bring about more prosper
Gus condition of affairs for the South, and
instead of sheriff sales to satisfy the mortga-
ges that the poor laborers must now give,
we would see grinding poverty banished for
ever 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 ques-
ton until the influence is felt throughout
the entire cotton belt.
Signed by the following cotton factors:
Gilkeson & 'Sloss Con. Co., Senter X Co.,
Allen. West 4 Co., Hill, Fontaine q Co.,
Htfmphry, Malone & Blake. Thos. H. ALEU-
& Co, Taylor & Bush. w, F. Obear, S. NJ
McCallum & Co., l. NJ. Wiener Il Co, Chas,
q. Peper & Co, H. w. Brooks & Co., Adler
Goldman & Co., Sayle, Steagall IL Co.,
Wolf Bros. 4 Bath, Warren, Love II Co,
Meyer & Aronson. Fisher Bros. Il Co., Viii
son & Co.. A. X Bonham & Co.