Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1895-03-02
MISSISSIPPI MATTERS.
An Address to Farmers.


Jatxson, Feb. 2L--In sending out
blanks for the county organizations.
State President w. w. Stone issued the
following address:
In submitting to the cotton growers OF Missis-
Bippl FOR agreement ami signature the formula
adopted at the recent cotton growers conven-
ton, here in Jackson, on behalf Of the reduction
Of acreage for the current year, beg to submit
for consideration some facts and conditions
seriously affecting us.
The general concensus Of opinion is that our
present crop will be little, II any, short Of 0,-
1000 bales. In consequence Of this CONNER
cial conviction our average grade OF cotton Is
now worth, net to the grower, 1 cents or less per
pound-s2o for 500 pound bale OF cotton.
The surplus OF last year, increased by the
oyerplus OF this crop now being marketed. will
guarantee a less price for our staple for lso5-93
than now rules, II we give promise OF anything
| like the acreage planted which madeth crop.
| True, last season was a most remarkable one
for cultiyating, frnitng aud gathering, True.
| again, fertliizers were used TO greater extent
than ever before. True that we may not be so
favored in the current year or for many to come.
Yet, with improved labor and methods. it may
|
speedest and most feasible method of raising
values to or above the cost OF production, 1t
occurs to thos; best advised that the acreage
should be reduced in that ratio which will make
the supply for the future stand to the demand
as cents Il pound is to cents pound Hence,
the convention suggests a reduction In cotton
acreage to 70 per cent. OF last years planting
Even 1900, 900 bale crop will give MS cent
cotton this year. We must go below that. Our
only sure way is to reduce acreage.
The cardinal idea Of the convention In reduc-
tionof acreage was that the area thus left on
should and would be devoted TO growing other
| crops OF forage and provisions, which by raising
ourselves, instead Of as heretofore buying with
borrowed money, would cheaper the cost ot
cotton production in the future. This we must
do II We would exist as farmers.
1t Is not contemplated that any land should
lie waste or unproluctiye
1t may be claimed that Mississippi has more
OF home made supplies than for years. Grant
1t; yet she has not half enough for her whole
people. a few nave enough. Thousands have
| practically none, and our cities and towns are
drawing on foreign markets for articles which
should be supplied at home.
The evidences are that the merchant Will not
demand all cotton this year-f0r he, as rule, Is
! as bad oil as the farmer. Thus less in cotton
and more in things that sustain life will give
ample employment Of time and labor; teni to
better prices for our staple at less expense, and
more Of the domestic comforts, which are far
better than even money itself.
Frequently conventions have been held here
tofore on this line, and have been ridiculed for
"resolutng and going home to plant more
cotton" Some have SO rdicued the recent one.
They are wide of tie mark for not only is the
disease diagnosed and fully stated and unyer
sally appreciated, but a remedy is offered and
the means OF applying presented to every cotton
grower in the land. 1t is with him to do as he
will in the premises.
today send to the county presidents plan
OF organization, suggested by the convention,
and blanks for signatures OF such as will join in
the Effort to organize the cotton growers on a
defensive line. The matter is too serious to be
treated lightly.
There are some who ridicule and dcnounce the
idea of over production, ascrbng our ills to
vicious financial legislation. With those we
have no quarrel. The common people of the
land cannot force a change, though change
might benefit u.s. We can square our domestic
affairs by a benelcent rule Let us do it. The
laws of the aud take best care OF those who take
care of themselves. w. W. STONE,
State President