Semi=weekly graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1895-1902, 1896-01-29
fSt. Louis Republic.5

The experience of 1891 and 1892
has demonstrated that there is
limit to the worlds demand for cot
ton, vastly narrower than the capac-
ity of Southern fields to produce
that staple. Over production must
result in inevitable loss to the
grower.
A new factor that enters into the
problem is the great and rapid in
crease in the population of the cot
ton belt, through the migration
thither of farmers from the North
and West. If the newcomers as
we'll as the older agricultural popu-
lation, plant all the cotton they can,
it will be difficult to get it all picked
and impossible to sell it for what it
has cost.
In an address to the farmers of
Texas, A. J. Rose, Commissioner of
Agriculture, cites that the reduced
acreage and short yield of 1895 re-
suited in prices to the farmers of 2
to 3 cents pound more for their
cotton than was expected when the
crop was planted. He warns them
that if the acreage is generally in
creased this year the price of cotton
will be less than 5 cents a pound.
Mr.. Rose is native Missourian
who has gained wisdom and honor in
the State of his adoption. There is
not a farmer ia the cotton belt but
will be better off at the end of the
year for acting on the following
counsel which he gives to the far
mers of Texas:
1.-The wise course for farmers to
pursue is to plants sufficient crop of
corn and all other kinds of crops
needed for home consumption and
enough for their nonproducing
neighbors, and after that to devote
their attention to cotton, if they
prefer growing cotton for market, or
to the raising of pork and mutton.
My experience and observation
for thirty-eight years in Texas has
been that those who produce the
necessaries of life at home and have
some to spare are those who never
have to give mortgage. tbs true,
corn is cheap-and why? Because
farmers have not beeves and hogs to
feed it to. If they had, instead of
10 to 25 cents per bushel, they could
get from 35 to 80 cents for their
corn.
Farmers should improve their
stock. They should keep the very
best and avoid the expense of any
that do not yield a profit To Illus
trate: With Texas growing 200, 900
bales of cotton and other States re-
ducing their producing capacity at
the same ratio, cotton would reach
8 cents or more. Planting the re-
mainder of their land either in corn,
oats, wheat or other crops and rails
ing stock to consume all the surplus
then would the cry cease that farm
ing does not pay. 1t is safe to say
that those who adopt this course will
succeed far better than those who
do not do so, and it is further safe
to say that if farmers plant as
largely in cotton the present year as
they did in 1894 and as sparingly in
other crops, they will regret it. "
For many years the tendency of
Southern agriculture has been in the
recommended by Commits
sioner Rose. Following tie strait
ened circumstances into which the
farmers were brought by the over
production of cotton in 1890 and
1891 there was a greater diversified
ton of crops than was ever known
before in the South.
That stock raising, horticulture,
fruit growing, grain growing and
the culture of score of other prod
lets for which the soil and climate of |
The South are we'll suited will receive |
increasing attention is as certain as
can be. The Southern far
ner of today who gets his full share
If the affiuence that waits upon
agriculture must at once
begin to look to other crops than
cotton for his best profit.
In 1860 wheat and tobacco we're
Known in Virginia as the money
,rops.' The Virginia planter who
,tood off the Sheriff made his own
bread and meat. He made what he
consumed and did net aleefeeefffta pend " fr1ff7
IN markets.
Put cotton for wheat and tobacco
md the farmers further south stand
low just where the Virginians stood
hen.
Mardl Gras.
New Orleans, La, February Is.