The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-02-29
A SMALL COTTON CROP.

Why the Farmer should Raise Only n
Limited Quantity.
To the Editor Of The Post.
In recent issue OF The Post noticed
an article favoring moro cotton. The
article, although namc,ess has every
feature Of Cherokee county arguments.
| The writer contends that the farming
people In the South can not realize value
from the produce of their land otherwise
than to plant cotton. According 20 the
aforementioned writer's statements any
thing less than a crop OF a,00000) bales
would not employ even tive-sixths of the
farm labor in tho South
If we have 100000 bales of cotton to
market the price Is sure 10 be based not
higher than ~ cents per pound. After
the people have enjoyed the exercise and
the fun of being employed during the sea-
son OF cultivation then we have to harvest.
When there is an excessive cotton crop
30 cents per 100 pounds is the cost OF pick
ing Therefore, 1900 pounds OF seed cotton.
which Is supposed for one bale. will cost
IS; then 100000 bales would cost, for
picking, $7s,O)OoIN the value of one balo
OF cotton at ~ cents per pound, is 81. 30;
the value Of 100000 at the same prIce
would he 500. 500 600. less the cost Of nick
ing which would leave n net value of
NS3'5oo@o If there should be only G.ooo $50
ltlleS OF cotton produced IN 1895, and tho
snofthSe IN the crop should effect tha
price In proportion to the results Of lin,
deficiency in lN9j The produce will certainty
not realize less than lc cents per pound
me lrlce FOR picking cotton. where the
crop is short, IS usually 10 cents per la
pounds which would place the gathering
OF "'NVN bales at SIS ic1,0o1; the price
based at ~ cents Per pound the value of
one bale would be- $50 The value of 4 o00
900 bales would $500. 0o0 600. less SIS 100 ola
for picking, which would be a net result
OF Sl6lo3QWp net difference OF So, iO0. oul
Ia INC PLANTERS" favor Tie doesn't work
near so hard, his mental and physical
qualification is 80 per cent superior to that
after toiling TO grow and harvest a 9.O00 0ji
tIlcS crop ana lllc is some pleasure TO
the southern planter
why not diversity YOUR crop. grow cv-
crythirg that Sou. need for homo consump-
ton at home. Then grow what cotton
you can and lot that he a small quantity.
then what cotton you have to mlrl<ot
you get a good prcc for It, You have
plenty OF eNeryth ng else at homo, II
produce eNcept cotton, IS at n low price
why should II interest you, when you
have plenty az home: YOU don't want to
buy or sell YOU have the money for your
cotton. You are able to supply Yourself
with good literature and take time ia
read 1t, for YOU don't have 50 mitch hard
work On your hands. Fathers can then
devote some Of their time TO tho amusc-
mcpt of their ch'llrcr, and family in
duigence In general. The constant toilins
to produce an excessive cotton cr0p IS
tho origin Of dissatisfaction n thousands
Of Southern homes, whore otherwise
gratitude and happiness might exist 50
many homes are made monotonous to bows
ut an carly age simnly because they are
compelled To toll "thirteen months I'm n
wear to grow and gather cotton cron. "
Many a hoy has sncakCd away In tho
larll hours of tho night from his parcnts
hts brothers and sisters. simply 70 de-
clare inlependcnce OF an unpleasant homo.
Columbus, Texas. C.C.W