The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-04
TALMAGE's SONS LETTER.
What They Say About the Rice Crop
and the louisiana Planters.

What They say About the Rice Crop
and the louisiana Planters.
Talmage's Sons have issued letter re-
garding the rice cop in which they say:
The condition Of the rice market is
simply deplorable; while there is a large
crop, larger than in any previous year, it is
going to be frittered away at very much
less than its real worth. This is due to the
fact that planters DO not know of or care to
get its value. There is no cooperation
and the principle is maintained-"every
man for himself and the devil for
the hindermost." Crops are pushed
forward and the chief anxiety
OF every planter is to be the first man
slaughtered. As q result there is a regular
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and what we fear
is humiliation of the best interests OF the
crop. We say this as unless there be a halt
called, prices are going below the cost of
production, aud the next year will sec q
partial and probably large abandonment Of
the culture. There ought TO be 'sober
second thought" INDUCED in and an sscer-
tainment OF value and as 10 the outlook for
a favorable disposition Of the crop at such
or some prices reasonably approximate.
Here are facts:
l. The rice crop is not sufficient to meet
the requirements of the United States.
2 Its value, II properly managed, is
therefore, fully equal 10 that OF foreign rice,
which each year has to be imported to meet
deficiencies.
8. Foreign, OF the lowest grade. costs to
import over 4 cents per pound Throwing
aside that, our home rice is worth much
more, we say: Domestic rice of good CHAR
aotsr should sell at not less than 50 80 to
81 IS per barrel on plantation, and at any
thing below such nets less than real in
trinsic worth. We give range of figures
/ L..
from milling centers and, there
fore; costs. OF transportation are greater
The practical question is, How can this be
realiZedp and the answer, by every man
determining to hold his crop unless he can
get fair return in dollars and cents.n We
say to every planter: Your crop If good
quality is worth at least SO so per barrel,
and if near to milling centers 81 rs. The
poorest rice raised this year is richly worth
81 80 to 81 IS per barrel on plantation. If
you cannot get this now, you will get it
later, and for your own sake and the
sake of your poorer and more
! needy brother who is forced to sell
whether or no, keep your crop off the
market. There is not enough rice to sup
ply the demand Of the United States, and
the prices next spring will average % per
cent. higher than those which are now ruling
and double those which are bound to rule
next month, unless every planter that can
! possibly do SO holds back his crop. Ruin or
relief lies In the hands of the planter; he
can do as seemeth him besb-we give facts,
the wise will regard and make use Of them. Il
The above is called forth because of the
! Louisiana planters or their agents seeming
! to have lost their heads; selling rough
rice in New Orleans, fair to best quality, at
from 81 80 to 81 so per barrel, 1863 pounds
equal say from 81 to 65 per pushed. In view
of the fact that "the crop is" as the Messrs
Talmages state, mot enough to supply the
demands Of the United States and that
foreign will ultimately have to be i'm
ported to meet deficiences.n it would appea,
that the planters of this state owe it tc
themselves TO patiently bide their time for
! the disposal of their crops and thus resist
the present suicidal tendency of theil
! Louisiana brethren.