The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-28
THE FARMERS BIG YEAR.

Good Weather, Good Crops and Good
Prices Make Prosperous People.
Col. a. II. Martin, one Of the largest and
most successful planters on the Savannah
river, is spending few days in the city at
the Screven. Col. Martin. while a planter
of the old time, is thoroughly abreast with
the present time, and his plantation is
equipped with all the modern impliments
and machinery. He is one of the progressive
farmers of the day. He lives fifty miles up
the Savannah river on the South Carolina
side, near where he was born. He has been
a planter for forty years.
In an interview with a MORNING News
reporter yesterday, Col Martin said that
during all his experience he has never
known more profitable season or a time
when the people were more buoyed up with
their prospects. The season in most sec
tons has been just what the planters
wanted. 1t has enabled them to gather
their cotton in the best condition. and Col
Martin predicts that. though the crop in
bales may not be an increase, the amount
of material at the mills will be very much
larger than ever before He bases his
opinion upon the good quality OF the cotton
which is being marketed
II have not sold bale of cotton that
classed below mlddling," no said. land
good deal OF it went above that grade
splendid condition leads me to believe that
less of the material will have to be dis
carded, and hence, more of the available
product for manufacture will be on hand
For instance, IN other seasons, when the
quality was poor, the mills had to clean
the product, and the amount of
trashi and dirt, when removed from
the cotton, formed considerable portion
Of the bale. With the present crop this
process of cleaning will not have to be SO
extensive. The dirt and trash will not form
such large part of the bale. Hence, say
that, although the number of bales in other
years may have been some larger than this
year, the actual amount Of this years.
product for the mills will be greater
Col. Martin said that not In his remen-
brance have the prices held up so well as
they have this year. This is great concern
with the planters. They have made good
cotton crops and they are now being re-
warded.
In speaking of the extent of the Yields in
different parts of the state, Col. Martin
said that it is by no means certain that be-
cause North Georgia is favored with
abundant crops, South Georgia will be
likewise blessed. Indeed, it rarely is fact
that this Is the case. "The present vearn
he said, "has demonstrated it with
me; as in many former instances. |
have found it to be the case that
crops IN even the same locality are favored
differently. The wet weather in the early
part OF the year cut my cotton down
10 less than an average crop, while my son.
y. Evans Martin, living just twenty miles
across the river from me, made a bale of
cotton to the acre, or at the rate of twenty
nVe bales to each mule employed, which is
above an average crop.n
COL Martin said that although the early
ram damaged to an extent his cotton, it
made MIN an abundant crop of corn. The
rains, however, he said, were early. and if
they made the yield less, the quality is bet
Ter IN absence of rain later in the season.
So tHtI' IA Ihe long run, the planters are
benefited greatly.
Col. Martin Is heart and soul q planter.
although he has represented the people
Oh hampton county, South Carolina, sew
eral successive terms in the legislature, and
was member during the war and at the
tllne OF Lees surrender, since which time
ne mas not been in public life. ~
rove 20 I'VE In the country" said he His
country home is situated SO that steamboats,
gong up from Savannah or coming down
from augusta may deposit freight very
near the country place of Col Martin. In
honor of the owner of the property living
along the river front at that point the
name Martins Landing has been given it.
Col. Martins views upon the alliance
iuoeUlOn are his own. he has ALWAYS
believed that the farmers should combine if
they would win. They must fight combi-
nations with combinations. He favors the
alliance as long as conservative men are
placed at the head of it to prevent corrup-
ton.
The only drawback to it and the only fear
ne has OF its success, is the lack of support
by the planters, who are welded to their
farms. 1t is generally the case that farm
ers' interests at home separate them from
other duties, and they do not devote their
time and energy to the movement as other
people. He confidently hopes, however.
mat they Will make a success of the move
ment. He is a strong advocate of the alIi
ence as a means of material aid to the
farmers
Col. Martins plantation comprises be-
tween 5000 and 5000 acres of South Carroll
mas pest land. While good deal of it is I'M
oer cultivation, a large tract is au extensive
pine forest which has never been disturbed
py the Woodman's ak. 1t is the only tract
VI iand IN all that section of country which
naS not been infested by turpentine opera
Gors, saw-mlll men or railroad contractors.
Col' martin has repeatedly refused to allow
tne Old forest to be disturbed. 1t has never
oeen necessary yet, he said, and he intends to
preserve 1t just as it was in his boyhood
Jays as long as he can. Besides, he believes
mat the tract will be very valuable some of
enese days. Col. Martin is regarded as a
saeaV hnencler, and his large wealth has
u uoen maintained throughout these long
beals unlmpaired. His ability to govern
NS aHalrs Increases with his years.