The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-08-06
Eivht and n Half million BALES.

The croD estimates point to eight and
half million bales as the probable yleid ol
the growing crop of cotton i'm this country.
We are careful TO say this country, else
some would understand the estimate 10
covsr the entire world The Texas district,
which includes a portion of Arkansas, VIII
produce-it is claimed-2,5co,O00 bales. or
more than one-fourth OF the whole, or
more than cre-half the entire yield OF
the south in 1860, which was the largest
crop ever grown up TO that time. In view
of such an enormous yield IL - not sur
prising that the market is depressed, ana
that the outlook for the future of the grow
ing crop is very gloomy. In the midst OF
ali this the fact also appears that the
rrospect OF the Georgia crop Is mucn
lower than an avCrage-lower than II has
been in several years
Tennessee Stems TO be in the same fix.
Now then we want to know what the
farmers are going to do about it. Will a
rrop of $4,000 bales bring cents per
poundg We doubt it. IL we had the money
To put UP the necessary bonds we would
not like To buy the entire crop In futures at
cents a pound. unless we could hold II
until the present supply or hand was
nearly exhausted. For several years past
We have not hoped to see cotton crop
seIl-from the hands of farmers-at much,
IL any, more than cents pound. That is
In all places, and in all lines of business
where n large proportion Of the labor re-
ouired Is what is called ''unskilied labor,
the measure OF wages is the smallest
amount that will provide the commonest
necessities OF living. The common, or un-
skilled. laborer gets only enough TO keep
him and his family alive and strong
enough TO work. The larger part OF the
cotton crop-Trobably 80 per cent of the
v-hole-!s the product of unskilled labor
and unscientIfic methods. The price PAID
for cotton il coming to be determined-as
in other lines OF industry-by the cost OF
maintaining the unskilled laborer, who
produces the most OF il. We do not mean
10 say that the cotton manufactures, ana
Others Who are supposed II control the
market have taken account in detail OF
til actual amount necessary to sustain
IrEcr-no more than they have taken &C
count OF the cost Of the lowest style OF
living that will Keep their factory opera
tives i'm working health and reproductive
encruy-but by some occult law the result
is the same. The industrial system of the
country. the protective tariff. the contractor
currency. the outrageous financial system,
etc. have all conspred TO one resuit-to
Te,luce wages 20 a point that Will barely en-
able the labOrer 10 keep MP his physical
strength and 20 rails children enough 10
keep up the supply Of labor
ruent on politico-cconomics, hut simply To
not. the admitted fact that the common,un-
skilled laborcr. on the average. and every
where. ceives only barely sufficient Ia
maintain his existence. his ability TO Ia
for and provide for children to grow NJ
and take his place in the ranks when worn
out with age. Now. for the application
The man who Employs unskilled labor In
ouerating a farm and who brings to the aid
o. the unskilled labor nothing but unsSill-
Ell oversight. unskiiled methods. Imperfect
or Ineffective tools and implements, INSULT
Gent or unsuitable I rtiiiZers or none al
ali. etc. has no right 10 expect anything
more than barely sufficient to support hir9
and his family in a style but little removed
above that OF the common laborer.
There is no hope FOR IN. ignorant the viii
fully ignorant. and the unskilied FARMER
so Ions, as he persists in his unskilled ways
lie Will have 10 live on-after a fashion
until he dies and gives place To another
generation. He win continue to plant and
cuItivat. as did his father before him Tex
cepr shat his father cultivated iresher ana
better land. producing 5 10 u bushels Oh
corn. or l. or y bushels of oats, or one
third OF n bale Of cotton per acre and other
crons IN proportional yields. His cotton VIII
cost MIN anywhere from 10 cents q
mound. his corn 90 to 60 .nts, and his oats
q 10 - cents per bushel, and so on.
But the wide-awake, progressive farmer
will cultivate only such portions OF ms
land as will. with proper fertilization ana
under a judicious rotation, yield one Dale
and UPWARDS pr acre, or not less thah
TWENTY-FIVE bushels OF corn. or hity push-
els Of oats per acre. This will necessitate
a very great reduction Of area, but on the
other hand there will be 4 corn spending re-
ductIon i'm the cost per pound, and the cost
per busheI. OF everything that ne produces
on those fewer acres. This has be n done
bv some farmers-it can be done by many
ulors-it must Dee done by all who would
succeed I'm making a comfortable living anu
An LAYING hy something for rainy DAY.
r. J. REDDING.