The Tupelo journal., 1902-10-10
FARMERANDP PLANTER.
A NOTE IN THE RIGHT KEY.
The Southern Food supply and the
Cotton Mills and Factories of
the South.

In a recent convention CT rice grow
ers, DR.. S. A. Knapp, of Louisiana,
strikes a loud note from the right
key as to the difficulties of southern
cotton factory enterprises. He says:
Il have heard with pleasure in this
convention speeches and resolutions
in favor of establishing cotton mills
in the south until every pound of cot
ton produced within her fair domain
shall be transformed by the magic of
spindle and loom into fabrics of value
for the marts of trade. Did it occur
to the eminent speakers that, how
ever desirable such u result, it's
achievement is impossible under pres
ent conditions. Why? Because we
now import from the north immense
quantities of wheat, beef, pork, but
ter, cheese and other food products.
The question is simply this: Is it
cheaper to transport the food for the
operatives in cotton mills from it's
northern base to the cotton centers
of the south, or to ship the cotton
bale to the food centers of the north.
Cotton is the cheaper freight. If,
however, we shall become a great food
producing people, the whole problem
will be changed. General cultivation
and use of rice in the south will solve
the factory problem.
"Fo affirm that rice in the south
can occupy the vantage ground of
wheat in the north, both in extent
and economy of production, is equiv
alent to a commercial declaration of
independence. 1t means hat we shall
feed our own people with a home
grown cereal, and that with by-prod-
ucts we shall produce the pork, the
beef, the butter and the cheese re-
quired for home consumption. 1t
means a better grade of cattle and
horses, better beef and stronger
teams. The substitution of rice for
corn and wheat as the principal food
development of a harder race. 1t
viii decrease dyspepsia, malaria and
mortgages. 1t will strengthen and
fortify every line of industry and give
us support at our weakest point, a
lack of a proper ration between the
food and the fiber products. By gen.
eral consent cotton is recognized as
tie best material to clothe the ma
tions. and iron occupies a peerless
position in all mechanical and struc-
tural works. In both these world
necessities, the south has no success
full rival. With the home production
of food her commercial independence
will be complete, and her conquests
in the domains of industry will be a
series of brilliant triumphs.
"Foundries and factories will come
to her unsought; her cities will broad
en- to meet the demands of an in
creasing commerce., and her marts of
trade will TEEN with merchants from
every land.
Thus far it appears to me that this
convention, from an Industrial stand
point, has been apologize and peni-
tential for the neglect of it's oppor-
tunities with promises of reform and
good resolutions for the future. l
do not think Louisiana and Texas re-
quire any apology. For the past ff-
teen years they have embraced every
opportunity for industrial improve
ment, and have gone into every battle
for the commercial and industrial adj
-vancement of their people with the
flags of their states spiked to the
staff."-TeXas Farm and Ranch.