Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-01-08

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY COTTON LANDS.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY COTTON LANDS.
Compared With Illinois and Iowa Farm
Lands as an Investment.
Circular No. 2. Compiled by ]. F.
Merry, Asst Gen. Passenger
Agent, Dubuque, Iowa.
Question No. l. W1 you please explain
ho,o 1t is possible, as stated in yo,tr cireu-
lar for improved cotton lands IN tltelNissis-
sippi Valley to rent for Sc and 81 per
acre, schach can be purchased for from
$50 to ss5 per acre.
We confess, it is hard to explain.
But, after all, 1t is condition, not a
theory; and one that could not obtain
anywhere except in the South, where
the tenants do not seem interested in
owning farms. Tenants throughout
the Northwest expect, in time, to
have farms of their own, and they will
not pay such rentals as will simply
afford them a living. They expect to
save few hundred dollars every year,
with which, in the course of seven to
ten years, they can buy farm OF their
own. Not SO with the colored tenants
of the South. They literally believe
that sufficient unto the day is the
evil thereof" and they do not expect
more than living, and apparently
are happy in the thought that they
are sure of enough to eat and place
to sleep. Hence they are willing to
pay such rentals as the landlord may
exact, providing they are reasonably
sure of very moderate living.
Question No. Q. Is there ecer scar
city Of tenants IN the Mississippi Valley9
We do not remember of having seen
or even heard of a cotton plantation
not being worked for want of a ten
ant. The fact that these fertile lands
in the Valley produce from three
fourths of bale to q bale of cotton
per acre, without an ounce of fertiliz-
er, while in the older cotton produc-
ing sections, with expensive fertiliza-
tion, only one-fourth to one-half q
bale is expected, has driven many OF
the colored cotton growers to the Mis-
sissippi Valley, and, asa rule, there
are dozen tenants for every planta.
tion wherever the soil is sufficiently
fertile to grow such cotton as is grown
in the Mississippi Valley between
Memphis and Vicksburg.
Question No. 3. Ho,c does the enpenst
OF maintaining a cotton plantation com
pare aoith that Of an Illinois on loaua farm.
The costof maintenance is decid
edly in favor OF the cotton plantation
To illustrate, q Northern farm Of say
five hundred acres, will have from
$1,000 to $1,000 invested in buildings.
These buildings are constantly 10 need
of repairs. They must be painted ev.
cry three to five years, which is oil
itself quite an expense. New barbed
wire fences are necessary every year
Meadows and pastures must be reseed
ed. Indeed, the expense of maintain.
ing No. Northern farm is one thai
only those can appreciate who have
had the experience. Now contrast
the difference between such a farm
and Southern plantation of the same
size. The plantation would have, per
haps, twenty negro cabins, made Of
rough boards, and a shed for stock,
machinery, tools, ETC., the entire cost
of which would not exceed 81, 1000. And
the cost Of maintenance would notex.
ceed s25 annually, even II the cabins
were whitewashed, as is sometimes
the case. If new fencing is necessary
a few hours work will provide posts
and rails from the timber which
grows on every plantation.
Question No. 4. Is the rent coltectiblc,
and are the eolowd cotton groWers reliable
and responsiblea
Colored men, like other tenants, are
not all alike-some are good, some
very good, some bad, some very bad,
The laws of Mississippi, however, sc
favor the landlord that it is rare
thing for tenant on cotton farm te
escape paying his rent, and it is also
fair to say that it is unusual to fine
one who is disposed to do so. They
expect to grow COTTON next year, ane
the year after. They understand i
they run short Of cornmeal and bacon
that the landlord will help them ou
until the next crop is marketed
Hence desire on the part of a tenan
to live up to his contract.
i Question No. S. Da yoa. aduise North
ern farmers to- lscats IN The Masssssipp
EaVey ana attempt to worb their cotto,
lplantatioas as they do their farms n, III
aois and lo,ras
The question under discussion
the comparison of cotton lands witt
Northern farm lands, as an invest
ment. The above question is not
therefore, pertinent; butit is CON
mau one and should be answered.
Il Its hard to d stermiae why, but II
is fact that the negro is especial