The Dawson journal., 1883-08-16

past has been BuUh thak the tjf0ti0cek
has barely averaged nine CENTS Der
pound Tor his crop. Indeed, MANY
farmers have hot realized an average
price Of eight ccnts per pound for
the last six years. 'I'hs ahhAai in.
crease in production Las been snfa-.
ciens to meet oil the demands of
CONSUMPTION, and il would seem tLat
the prices die not likely to average any
higher fof years 10 come. The proz
ductioli of cotton win readily respond
I'd any extraordinary demand, and
the stimulus Of two OF three cents
per pound added to she present
prices would be suf6Uientin Two years
to carry the total production up 10
eight millions of bales. The capaci%
fty'cf HE Sehth for growing cotton
is being annually developed in d !
greater ratio of increase than the
demand of the world for the preduct.{
The increase Is how and will, for
years to come, be limited only by the j
rate of increase in population Of
cotton producing States; and che
rate of increased production may be-
augmented by the use of improved
methods, higher fertilization and
more prolific varieties. SO 1t would
seem that there is no probability Of
any considerable or permanent adj
vance III the market price Of cotton.
Under these circumstances Il would
be well for The Southern farmer to
pause in his career and consider we'll
whethef he can afford 10 make cotton
for the remainder Of his life ut pres
emit prices-@hetRer he cannot do
better by lessening the cotton area
on his farm, employ better methods
On that reduced area, and ut the
same time develop other resources
for profitable enterprise. The far
nefs of Texas, Arkansas and LOUIS
lana, With their rich river and prai-
RE lands may yet follow the old
methodss and they can certainly pro-
duce cotton cheaper-by such meth-
ods-than the farmers of the other
cotton States. The con6iusIon, then,
is that the older States must bring
to bear ! greater degree Of care and
skill, h better system of farming, q
more intelligent appreciation of the
economies of cotton production. We
are glad to note that this Is being
brought about in many pats Of
South Carolina, Georgia, and, to a
less degree; perhaps, in Sdjoining
States: Middle Georgia is casting
about fof some other reliance for in
come thah the receipts from the
cotton crop. The change viii prob
ably take the permanent direction of
large and steaay increase in the
production of fruits for shipment to
Northern markets, Both III 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 great iIhpoEtaI6e Of truck
farming, snd thousands Of actes are
yearly added to the area III melons
and garden Vegetables. The business
is yet new and comparatively Hntried,
but the results heretofore have been
satisfactory and the pr6spect in future
is encouraging. One thing Is remar-
kable III this development, that il
iHSovles But little radical Change id
the methods and no expense in TIE
way Of permanent fxtdfes, hischiha
cry, etc. If ii proves uspro6taBie it
can be easily given Up. Besides th&
truck farmer need not give UP cotton
culture Until assarsd b. d few years
experience that he eanhot afford ID
make cotton Ut present prices.
These fattRsfs afe thus waking MP
to the dangers .and possibilities OF
the situatioh: The efforts Of the
State DePaFtme al Of Agriculture, the
appeals and arguments of agricul-
tural SPEAKERS and writer's, and, more
than ali, the experience Of those who
i,at listened to the teas.c:fhines 81
common sense, and put theories to
the test of practice, Nave had the
effect to stir tie energies and renew renew
the hopes Of the people. There u
life in the Old hsinId yet.
But while this awakening fiiSil ex-
tended over large sections 81 the
country, yet it is true thai 4 great
many Of the farmess are following
the same old beaten track, trying 10
make the old worn out hsids produce
remunerative crops By the sole aid 81
| q few pounds Of griiaano. They are
4