The Democrat., 1894-11-01
WILL North CAROLINA STOP
RAISING COTTON.
judge Walter Clark Says So---This
is Questioned, However, by Capt.
Ten Mason, but Partially
Acquiesced in by Maj.
Wilson.

what startling article from the pen
of Judge Clark will appear in next
weeks Bulletin An analysis Of it,
which appeared IN Tuesdays Mems e.
Observer, has provoked much interest
and is still doing so
"The common field pea-whether the
cow-pea, clay-pea, the unknown pea or
other variety-is the clover OF the
South 1t will grow where clover will
not. 1t will furnish more forage than
clover and will improve land more rap
idly 1t can be sown, when desired, IN
q crop OF corn, and thus improve land
without losing years use Of it for cul-
tivation. At the North the pea is com
ing into wider use Cn lieu Of clover
for forage and as a land improyer. This
will furnish growing market for our
peas, as they will not mature seed there.
The great drawback III the raising Of
peas for seed is the great cost Of har-
ve5ting and beating them out. At the
North, where beans are largely raised
they have satisfactory bean harvesters
and thraSilers Southern inventive ge-
Mus has always been equal to the de-
mands upon it. If some one will in
vent a satisfactory pea harvester and a
good pea thrasher he will not only
make a fortune for himself. but he VIII
bring back fertility to the South 1t
will increase tenfold the growing of
field peas, besides making new crop
for us to ship to the North. These in
ventions will stimulate the growing of
field-peas. just as the invention Of the
cotton-gin stimulated the increased
grow of cotton.
Then, too, a good peanut thrasher is
badly needed for the peanut crop
Picking off by hand is slow ana expen-
siye, and none of the peanut thrashers
Invented so far are satisfactory. They
break and shatter too many peanuts
The price OF cotton does not bid fair
to go up. The new area added every
year In Texas will continually overbal-
ance the worlds increased cons,lmp-
ton. Then there is the steadily In
creasing production in India, Egypt
and Brazil In Mexico the cotton plant
lives eight years and produces two
crops q year. Production there has
heretofore been small, owing to lack OF
railroads, and reliable labor. This is
being remedied To compete with a
country which can produce sixteen
crops OF cotton from one planting is
like using a muzzle-loader against a
sixteen shooter Besides. all counties
south of us. irrespective of fertility,
and no matter how rich we shall make
our lands, have the advantage Of us in
the length of the season. We can not
overcome the disadvantage of our short
seasons Cotton in North Carolina is
doomed, sooner or later. to disappear
as a market crop. We can sui
stltute many things. Grass is very
profitable if the land is made rich
enough, because It takes so little labor.
Two weeks out Of iittv-two-one weel,
IN June to NOV and ore week later to
bale UPS enough. while cotton or to-
bacco requires the year round. The
Ielu-lea OHefS Inc advantage OF album
dant forage. a steady improyer of our
lands, good fattener for cattle ana
hogs, ard q crop to ship North The
drawback in the great expense of har-
vesting ana preparing for market should
be overcome. The South will reward
with wealth and honor the man who
will furnish the harvester and thrasher
that Will enable us 10 increase ten fold
this crop.
Capt. Tom Mason said concerning
the abovc article that cotton to have
the proper textile strength must be an
annual.
Major Wilson SAID that while North
Carolina light have to abandon cotton
it would not be on account of Mexico,
but Oh account of Texas. Texas plow.
ed under more cotton now yearly than
was made in North Carolina. Louisi.
ana might have to pass out in the SUI
oar cultur, for CI,ha Int not Toxoc 20,