, 1885-01-28

LIE 1OIlUWlHS dIGIcIo, WHICH VIC
reproduce, to the serious attention of our
planters and estate owners.
We heard considerable talk, in the early
part of the season, about planters grinding
all their cane at this rolling, preparatory
to abandoning cane culture, but since the
work of harvesting the crop began but lit
tie has been said about it. Inquiry devel-
opes the fact that such is the case only in
cases where plantations are heavily in
volved, and there is no possibility of OBJ
tanning advances to proceed.
Our planters, upon taking 'ssober second
thought,n doubtless remember that sugar
has sold equally as low before in the his
tory of Louisiana, and also reflect that
sugar is not the only article now selling SO
low. Almost all American agricultural
products are at present selling at such
prices that the producers are complaining
that they are making no money. This be-
ing the case. the cost of plantation supplies /,
is much less than formerly.
There is another thing to consider. If
they abandon cane, what else can be taken
up to give profitable employment to capital
invested in sugar plantation outfitsY No
thing whatever, for even rice, which comes
nearest to it, will not half utilize the many
JlOuSdIlU OOIldIS lOCACu up Au UuC OuSoA
house machinery,
History repeats itself. No country, the
tillers of whose soil cling tenaciously to
one crop to the exclusion of others, can
long prosper. The wheat growers of the
North, west, who at one time thought they
were growing rich, found out that their
profits all went for machinery and supplies
which they had to buy. In 1874 while on
a visit to Minnesota, we were informed that
nearly all firms were m~ortgaged to their
full value. They were forced to abandon
the one-crop principle, and begin general
farming, paying especial attention to grass
es and stock. We visited the same State
again six and ten years later, and found
the farmers in a highly prosperous condi-
tion. Cheese and butter factories or cream
cries were found in every neighbourhood,
and all were happy and content. Bat they
had not abandoned e0heGt culture, but only
dipeYSifed their industries more. They had
fonnd. that. while they had the best wheat
country in the United States, they could not
disregard natures laws to such an extent
as to deny her the privilege of growing
other things equally as well adapted.
They made less wheat but more money.
Rotation of crops is a principle i'll nature
which should ever be borne in mind by the
tiller of the soil.
Therefore, we urge upon our friends OF
fine sugar districts to profit by the expert
ence Of Others, and, while maintaining the
ornanization of their plantations, plant
more rice; also, if it will not interfere
with the cane, make allowance for liberal
pasturage, and provide for cattle, horses
and mules, all Of which should be raised
entirely at home do not despise the root
crops, such as potatoes, onions, turnlpss,
peanuts, &C., which, properly cultivated.
Give as much per acre as any other crop,
and by saving the drain which now keeps
the PLANTER poor, aohile making less sugar,
peyhaps net make more money. Those fbrous
plants. especially adapted to the south,
such as jute, ramie, ETC., should also Do
grown more or less.
We said "less sugar" That need not
follow. for by adopting the central sugar
factory system, every mai in the country
can become a cane grower, and by having
a few acres of cane as a money crop, Can
afford to sell much lower than ne who de'
ponds pbolly upon it.
However, we believe that a reaction OF
prices may be confidently expected III the
conrse of the next year. European sugar
nroduction. under,its liberal bounty sup
mort has reached it's limit, and since the
bept.root growers find other crops more
nrofitable. at present prices, the over-pro.
duction will decline, causing falllng Oh