The Mena weekly star., 1897-12-15
THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY.
Words of Wisdom From Ex-Governor
 J. p. Eagle, of Arkansas.

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 DEAR SIR. I am indeed pleased to know that the Cotton Planters Journ- al has made it's advent Such a pub. lication is much needed. I trust it has come to stay.
 The cotton producing section of the south is very desirable for agricultural purposes. The soil and climate unite m creating favorbale conditions. It would not be extravagant to say that the products of our soil, in variety and in paying qualities, are equal, if not superior to those of any section of country of it's area. And yet it would seem from the persistency with which the great body of southern farmers hold on to the single crop, of cotton, that they believe cotton is the only paying crop our soil will produce.
 The philosophy of successful farming is to produce at home for home con sumption every article that we can produce, even if the yield is not so great as it may be in distant section. When we consider the cost in freig hts, commissions and profits, which at taches in removing the articles from their place of production to our ware houses, barns and fields, the advantage will be in favor of home production.
 My observation has been that the small farmer and the large planter who produces the greatest variety and amount of farm products for home supply has usually been the successful farmer, rather than the one who planted cott on altogether and bought his supplies
 The cotton producer should have his corn crib, hay shed. pea pens, 1 smokehouses and wheat gar ner at home, on the farm. This would nee essarily reduce the cotton acreage. With this reform would come a tide of prosperity. such as the south has not seen for more than third of a century. The rapid recuperative force of the cott on district is marvellous and rests manly in the soil, Two years of judicious planting with proper culti vation would put our farming interests at premium. Under present condi- tons, the production of cotton in such great quantity. is unprofitable, and our lands are begging buyers Eat low prices.
 The present low price of cotton and the high price of farm supplies is the strongest evidence that could be pre- sented in favor of change in our system of farming. The conditions which existed in 1894 and 1895 furnish ample proof on which to base this statement.
 In 1894 we had about ten million bale crop. It sold for less money than the seven million bale crop, which was produced in 1895, notwithstanding the crop of 1895 inherited the great sur plus from the crop of 1894. The price for which the cotton crop of these two years sold demonstrates that a seven million bale crop is worth more than a ten million bale crop. The reduction of the cotton acreage in 1895 was util- ized in the production of large amounts of farm supplies. We may justly con- clude that seven million bale crop in 1898 would be worth more than a ten million bale crop.
 The law of supply and demand, reg Slating prices has not been destroyed, but it has to some extent, been dwarfed at times by the manipulations of strong financial forces.
 It may still be said that in all de- partments uf business large and ready supply, with the supply hunting market, tends to deprcss values, and scant supply with good demand increases values. This is true of la bor and capital, peanuts aud cotton bales, Barlow knves and steam en- zines.
 If our usual cotton acreage could be reduced 25 per cent and this reduct- ion utilized in the production of corn, meat hay oats, wheat and peas, our farmers would prosper With this prosperity would come new life and increased energy. All other classes of our citizens would partalSe of the prof its and benefits thus arising.
 This reform may be accomplished, probably not so soon or so decisively