Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 June 1895 — COTTON PRODUCTION. [ARTICLE]

COTTON PRODUCTION.

Scheme bj Which {Southern Grower* Hope to Accomplish This Purpose. The cotton-growers of the South are discussing the problem of how to regfilate the acreage and production of cotton so as to prevent glutting the markets every year and reducing the price below the profit mark. The Alabama Cotton-growers’ Association recently advocated the agreement plan, whereby all growers were to be pledged to reduce their production a certain per cent for the common good. This scheme, however, though apparently the simplest and most effective, was soon found to be impracticable, for its success depended upon the unanimous consent of all the large growers, and this It was Impossible to secure. Having abandoned the agreement plan, then, the growers are now proposing a substitute which promises to bring better results, because it strikes at the root of a system that in indirectly responsible for the yearly Increase in cotton production. It is found that a decrease of acreage can hardly be secured so long as the Southern freedmen are induced to rent small holdings and pay the rental in cotton. This practice is said to he common. The freedmen secure a few acres, and the whole family plant as much cotton as their united labor can achieve. In order to do this the freedmen secure advances on their crop from country traders, and when they have delivered the cotton for rental, the remainder barely suffices, often does - ffdf to repay the advances. The number of small growers being very large, the volume of production is constantly increasing, because the average increases as fast as the freedmen strike out for themselves. It is proposed to remedy this by making rents of such lands payable in live stock, corn and vegetables Instead of cotton. This would not only decrease the cotton product measurably, but at the same time woujd enable the freedmen to provide sustenance for their families—which at present they neglect to do, being intent on raising cotton. Whether the plan succeeds in reducing the cotton acreage or not it will, If put into practice, be likely to result in greater variety of agricultural products, and this Is said to be greatly needed In cotton-growing districts.—New York Post.