The Opelousas courier., 1886-04-03
Farmers syndicate.

In our last issue we published let
ter to the New Orleans Times Demo
crat, from Il correspondent in South
Carolina, urging upon Southern plant
ers the formation of Associations
throughout all of the cotton stntes,
adopting bylaws and constitutions,
whereby they bind themselves to. re
duee the acreage in cotton down TO one
third of what it has been in the last few
years, and to put the other two-thirds
in cereal and root crops. He also sug
gests the formation of syndicates by
the weafthier farmers so that sufficient
money can be raised to purchase the
cotton crops i'll November, December
and January, and hold the same for the
benefit of the farmers against the cupid
ity of spectators who are now feaping
all OF the profits Of our leading staple.
We think the proposition of forming
planters associations and reducing the
acreage in cotton II very good one, but
not to the extent of d two-thirds rednc-
ton, which is too sweeping, as proposed
by tho correspondent. A reduction of
one-third or one-half of the present
acreage would be sufficient to assure an
abundance of breadstuffs and forage for
home use and the market, as an expert
ment TO test the question of over-pro
duetion in cotton and the probable rise
in price by raising a less quantity. Our
planters. should individually aud collec-
lively resolve to make the cotton crop
surplus one, and not stake their sup
port upon it alone. They should cal
culate the probable amount of corn,
oats, rice, peas, potatoes and hay me-
cessary to make their bread, fatten
their hogs, aud feed their horses and
cattle through the work season and
winter, with some surplus to sell, and
then determine what acreage they could
afford to plant aud cultivate well in
Gotten Were every farmer to con-
scisniiunsly follow this method, the
pfoblem of over-production and low
prices would be solved without material
risk ID any one Nevertheless, it would
be better to form associations on this
basis. so as To make the resolution
binding upon those whose avarice
might lead them to violate the PROPOSE
tor. besides, to give unity and strength
to an Industrial and economical ques-
tion which SO seriously affects the pros
perity and welfi,re of the country.
Fl there can be any concert OF action
inangnnlted for 4 judicious reduction
III tiir present excessive acreage of cot
ton, and rtisiug fullsupply of cereals,
hogs, cattle, S5e., for home .use and the
market, there will be no use for syndi-
Gates te purchase and hold the cotton
crops for the benefit of farmers against
,niddlemen and spectators. With the
practice of rigid economy for few
years, and the observance of such q
method as the ahuva The farmers would
snoa be- ont Of debt and independent,
and hold their surplus cotton crop for
/ any advance in prices The farmers
must cease ID depend on cotton TO buy
bread. meat, clothing, pay taxes, &c.
Make sure of living on the farm; let
catton be Il surplus not M aH-crOp,
and then there will be no oyer produc-
ton in the worlds market
We have received numbers and 2
af tile Ragne sSiqnal G.. ~ Felter ed
:itar. and G. G. Addison puBlisher
whicI, has commenced what we believe
will be not only q practical apd useful
but successful Journalistic career IN
the thriving and progressive little city
af Rayile. situated on flle Louisiana
Western R r in the southwestern
limits Of oar parish. Both The editor
and publisher are experienced news
.,;l,ier men, and the salutatory an-
llanuces that the paper will be demo-
cratic id principle although ifs columns
will be open q, persons of dissenting OF
oDposite upiiioas. This is Il liberal
aud inst SsIatimant aud should be APP
,,tsus:satel 81. il fair minded public. The
Sigaat in its i.litial issues has thrown
ont many valuable suggestions To farm
efs and business men, Which il followed
will really bs the signal Of q new pros
perits to- our PARISH and State. It has
started ont with questions farming
labor and education which are vital to
the true interests of every class of citi
zet,s. which is proof sufficient that its
proprietors ssre determined To make the
SiqnaI trne organ of the peoples best
interests LIS selected matter is also
solid, and auxiliary to the excellent
editorials ID impresslDg the requisites
TO In enduring prosperity and we'll.
being among the inhabitants. Ihe
editor say We have the promise q
the citizens Of Rayne 10 see us through
thick and thin, let tIe consequences be
what they may and we have every
reason to believe exactly what they
say. We cordially join onr confrert
ID saving that No believe 80 too. Ont
practical proof of ii ID that nearly,
i.ot all of the business men OF Rayns
are advertisers in it's columns, Anoth
III evidence III tie local pride, vide
awake e,iergy and ambition Of It's cisi
zens WI, wisl, the Signal and It's pro.
ircso, Z tic most abundant success ID it
journalistic venture.
WEATHER AND FARM NoTEs Vefs
liItie rain has fallen during the pas
week, but portions OF our parish wer'
visited BIZ & severe wind aud hail storm
sslI Friday night, fhe Goth, ult:, doinl
much damage to fencing, prostratinl
trees. blowing down cabins in seysra
plaeas, injnring The Young fruit. an
cutting down much of the first planting
!, ,f corn. o casualties te human iIfs q
Il 4 oi sfnck have been reported 10 tlss bu
tlss destruction Of timber orfll aiil
west of Washington was said to 3
vefy uteaf. South, east and west e
4 4 Opslonsas the storm was not 20 severe
= = r1t I. "A fssssl 1gsa tyr,afatS0ns want O