Year: 1862




hazard


PLANT CORN AND OTHER CEREALS.


The Planters Convention, which assembled in
this city last week, wisely directed public atten-
ton to the fact that the armies Of the Confede-
rate States, during the coming year, must be
supported almost exclusively by the Cotton States
and suggested that every planter in these States
should keep this consideration carefully in mind
while determining the character and extent Of
his crops to be put in the ground. Of course, 1t
was not expected that this body would attempt
to detate any peculiar policy regarding this sub
iect. The province of its members was rather
to suggest, and they would have found it difficult
to perform their duty more properly or modestly
than they did.


The time has arrived when the South must
abandon the foolish and exaggerated delusions
concerning the power of King Cotton and the
immense influence of his scepter in swaying
thrones and overturning empires The start
ling events Of the last thirty days are fu Of eo-
quent warning to US, that if we expect to be
free, cur own strong arms must strike the blow
It is neither dignifed nor honorable for US to
make calculations based upon any other idea than
that the Struggle in which we are engaged viii
not be terminated by the armed Intervention Of
European powers or potentates. We should
therefore act just as If we do not expect the
blockade to be broken during the continuance Of
the war.


It's evident, therefore, that we must provision
ourselves. since We are cut of completely from
the supplies formerly furnished US by the North
west Our armies and our people will rely upon
the Southern planters to afford them food and
thus keep vitality and vigor in both the Confed-
eracy and its defenders so long as the contest
NAV continue. Particularly should the planting
interest Of the Cotton Ststes-of South Carolina,
Georgia. Alabama, Miss issippi, Arkansas, LOuisi-
ana and Texas-be impressed with the necessa-
Of adopting this policy. 1t is probable that the
sol OF Kentucky Virginia, North Carolina, Ten
nessee and Missouri viii be the theater OF fierce
and terrible battles during The approaching spring
and summer. We can not, therefore, rely imph-
City upon keeping open our avenues Of commu-
nicarion with the grain-producing regions Of
these States. They may be cut of from Us, and
possibly pllaged and foraged by the invading
armies Of the enemy The Cottoa States must
feed rs, snd we appeal earnestly to them to enter
tain q fall snd timely consciousness Of this i'm
portant fsct-otherwise an evil may be inflicted
on this ConfedeTacy more disastrous than any
visited upon it by the arms Of the Hessian IN
vsders


It is impossible to say in what ratio each
planter viii find il beneficial to reduce bis usual
cotton crop The opinion generally obtains
that not more than one-lourth or one-third OF a
crop should be planted in view Of the large
amount Of the raw staple now on hand, remain
ing over from last year But, ike the conven-
ton Just adjourned, we are disposed to leave
this matter entirely to the good judgment of the
planters themselves, only asking them to keep in
mind the facts which We assert.


While sufficiently large crops Of wheat, oats,
rve and potatoes, should be planted, especial
attention must be paid to corn. This staple
viii require little attention, and yet perhaps, it is
mere necessary and useful than any other. As
the Southern CultiUator remarks, " it is second in
It's importance to nothing vegetable, not even to
cotton In its Tamifcations it fsttens our beeves
and hogs, sheep and poultry. 1t gives US rich
butter and cream. 1t makes all our animals
strong snd sleek It is one Of the arms Of our
defense, and one OF the bIlwarks Of our strength.
We must cultivate i. in inexhaustble quantities
Cor ourselves, for man and beast. We have the
means-the soil, the chmste, the implements OF
husbsndry.


Let vigorous foresight and a sleePless
energy employ them well Let the dark green
leaves of the silky floss and the spire-like tasses
Of com grace every plantation, large or small,
IN every State Of the Coniedersey, and at as
early period as Possible"