The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-23

There is striking economic lesson for
the South in the -four milling situation, as
it was presented at the recent Industrial
Convention at Huntsville by Mr. w r.
Damon of Nashville, Tenn. After a brief
reference to the development of flour mill
ing within the past twenty years begin
ming with the introduction of the roller
system. MIR. Damon proceeded to show
what a great opportunity there is before
the South in building up this important
branch of manufacture. The rather start
ling statement is made that altogether the
South has lost about one-half of her -four
mills within the last twenty years, a fact
which was due not to any lack of profit
in wheat growing or in the manufacture
of -four. but to the introduction Of the roll
er system resulting in a better flour pro-
duCed al a cheaper cost, which naturally
threw into disuse. in the course of time,
all of the Old burr mills. While the num-
Der of -four mills in the South has been
reduced by one-haf, the population in the
same time has been increased by about
one-third.
The whole trouble, as Mr. Damon puts
it. is that the South is short on flour and
long on cotton. Take the eight cotton
growing states of North and South Caro-
lima Georgia, Florida Louisiana. Alabama
Arkansas and Mississippi Their total an
nual production of wheat is a little more
than 100000 bushels. But it requires
-four from more than 100000 bushels Of
wheat to feed the 100000 people
in these eight states. The consequence is
that both wheat and -four are brought into
the South from the West. Southern mills
import some wheat from the West ana
manufacture it in The South but the
amount is small in comparison with the
amount of -four that is sent TO these states
from the Western mills. The majority of
the Southern farmers raise cotton instead
of wheat. They pay the freight on their
cotton, aud from the net proceeds they
buy among other things, -four from the
West upon which they must also pay the
freight In other words il is apparent in
this instance. as well as in many others,
that the southern farmer is paying the
freight both ways
That has been just the trouble with the
Southern farmer for some years; he has
been paying too much freight. The only
remedy for the situation, briefly stated,
is more wheat and less cotton. Let wheat
stand hgurdtively for other common arti-
Giles of consumption many of which are
imported in large quantities from other
sections Trite though the expression may.
its truth is incontestable. 1t is estimated
| that the wheat from 6O0O.OO0 acres of land
would barely feed the people of the cot
ton raising states. But with that amount
of land devoted to wheat growing the cot
ton crop would be so reduced that twelve
cent cotton would he practically a GER
tainty. and the price of flour would also
be reduced. at least by the amount neccs-
sary to pay the freight upon il from the
West. The increased production of wheat
] in the South would mean more -four mills.
for they are bound TO come as soon as they
have assurances of the grain to keep them
going. Should the South raise the necos-
! sary wheat Cor home consumption. 1859
more Hour mills each with capacity Of
fifty barrels per day would be needed a
magnificent addition to the industrial de-
velopment and progress of these eight
states.
But there is another interesting feature
Of this question Should the South look
| beyond the question of sufficient wheat
for home consumption and so in search
Of other markets. there is no telling 10
what extent it might develop in that di-
rection. The commercial advantages of
the South have been enormously increased
in the West Indies as the result of the
| Spanish war, and with the construction
of the Nicaragua canal. when that water
way is built the Orient will be very little
farther from us than It is from San Fran
cisco. The consumption of wheat in the
| rice-eatng countries is on the increase.
ana there is no reason why the South
should not share in this great and grow
ing trade