The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-09-23
LoUIsIANA's RICE CROP.
Effect of the -Estimates'of Il
Shortage.


Shortage.
A number of the trade journals have
been publishing articles, showing the sit
uation of the rice crops of Louisiana, and
the advantages to be gained by the arti-
fetal supply of water, instead of depend
ing upon rivers for moisture, when need
ed. The great shortage Of the crop in
Southwestern Louisiana was caused by a
protracted drought, which prevailed Just
at the time when water was most needed
to aid the growth.
An article in the American Grocer of
Sept. 10, gives the situation in the rice
center. 1t says:
AS a result of a severe, almost I'M
broken drought during the growing period
| thousands upon thousands of acres in the
southwestern parishes of Louisiana have
practically lost their rice crops There
are exceptional instances where, through
| sufficient rainfall or because of provision
being made against a possible lack of
moisture by the laying aside of water
reserves or pumping, fair crops are
acknowledged but even including these,
many claim that the outcome win not be
over one-tifth that of last year. This es-
innate, as we gather, applies only to the
Calcasieu region; still, as it contributed
over fOur-fifthS of the previous crop, the
Louisiana, at above ratio, is not likely to
be more than 100000 sacks, as against
1000, 900 in 1892 and l000, 900 in 1891
The shrinkage is appalling and cannot fail
to seriously AFFECT both individual
and corporate interests in that part OF the
state, as well as the milling interests in
the city of New Orleans to which nearly
nine-tenths of the product is sent to be
cleaned and distributed The outlook is
certainly anything but cheering for the
various clerical forces which wait upon
and earn their livelihood out of this par
ticular agricultural product. The factor
broker and merchant will find that the
ills Of the planters are to a considera Bile
extent, theirs. The marvellous expansion
of the crop, last year, had excited
even greater expectations from the
present one, and its failure
excites apprehension as to the full effect
upon coordinate branches of business.
AS quite general in other parts of the
south, credit enters largely into the max
ing of the crop. The local or commission
merchant furnishes the supplies, and
often money, for which he is reimbursed
out of the crop when made. This wear
four-ffths, it is said, make no crop, and
what becomes Of the advances made on
wind, sunshine and rain2 Again, as
above suggested, there had been a look
ing forward to, and preparation made
for the handling of a great crop
Every one last year realized that the
facilities were primitive and totally mad
equate, hence railroads, milling plants
elevators and warehouses were enlarged
or established to meet the requirements
of the situation. These expenditures
were made with free hand, and from
whence is now to come the revenue by
which to profit and declare dividends?
1t is possible that the sad mishap will
cause rice growing to fall into disfavor.
II ought to be good crop for the cost of
raising it as we are informed does not
vary materially from that of wheat
and the average yield per
acre over twice as large AS
would now appear however, the crop
must have plenty of water at the proper
time, otherwise there is either a greatly
shortened yield, or it becomes total loss.
The provision for an artificial supply is
possible for the section, like the country
chosen by Lot of old, is well watered.'
by rivers and bayous extending in every
direction, and the level surface of the
land renders irrigation an easy matter.
Where nature fails man mustprovide, and
planters in the future should take proper
precautionary measures against a lack of
moisture before they ever break up the
land for rice crop"