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= # From the Georgia Graxce.^ PRIZE EHSAY. DIVERSIFIED FARMING EI PROF, K. id. PEJIBIEFOX. The scope of tin's question is intended, as we suppose, to include the Cotton States, and to apply particularly to the State of Georgia, ;is embracing within its hounds all the products of the temperate and semi-tropical regions. According to the United States census of 1870, this State has, out of a population of 805,029 inhabitants over ten years of age, 440,078 engaged in the different occupations. Of these, 380,145 are employed in agriculture, being 76J per cent, of those who claim to he engaged in any pursuit. This is certainly sig nificant of the fact that we are an agricultural people. Those engaged in agriculture are appor tioned as fol lows: Agricultural laborers ..204,005 Dairy men and dairy women 01 Farmers and planters 70,408 Farm and plantation overseers 427 Gardeners, nurserymen and vine-growers 458 Htock raisers 10 Stock herders 19 Turpentine farmers 3 Turpentine laborers 120 Total 330,145 The amount of wages paid to farm laborers, including their board, was $19,787,080, or $74 78 each. This will suffice to show that we have yet the cheapest labor system in tire world. These laborers produced in 1809 as follows: Wheat, 2,127,017 bushels; rye, 82,- 549; corn, 17,046,469; oats, 1,904,601; bar ley, 6,040 ; buckwheat, 402; peas and beans, 410,020 ; Irish potatoes, 197,101 ; sweet pota toes, 2,021.502; rice, 22,277,380 pounds ; to bacco, 288,590 ; cotton, 473,934 bales ; wool, 840,947 pounds; wine, 21,927 gallons; butter, 4,499,572 pounds; milk, (sold,) 109,131 gal lons; hay, 10,518 tons; clover seed, 143 bush els ; grass seed, 540 bushels ; flax, 983 pounds ; sugar, 044 hogsheads; cane syrup, 553,992 gallons; sorghum syrup, 374,027; hops, 2 pounds; silk cocoons, 14 pounds; beeswax 31,233; honey, 010,877. These statistics show great capacity of pro duction, and great diversity of climate and soils. They also teach that cotton largely predominates over every other interest. The inference, however, is very clear that many of the products might lie largely increased and pay remunerative prices. Particularly as it is a well established fact in the history of cotton, as of other products, that a reduction in the quantity pint upon the market will enhance its value. Any substitute, then, for cotton which would pay as well for its production, would I).' an advantage to the farming interest by les sening the supply and increasing tlie demand. It would not do, however, for the South to reduce the cultivation of cotton to such an extent as to stimulate its production in other portions of the world. By this means a per manent injury might accrue to the planting interest ; and, at the same lime, the abandon ment of cotton for the cereals would create such an over-production as to bring down wes tern prices, and destroy all iiojie of remunera tion there as well as here. The present system of farming operations at the South is really hazardous, and unless some means can lie instituted to assist it, will Jiotne day, we fear, culminate in a famine like that which visited India from a similar cause. For an agricultural people to fail to make their own bread, as in our case, is a most alarming stateol things. Allowing each mule and horse their accustomed feed of twenty-five cars of corn a day, we have left only three and a half bushels for each inhabitant, without any for tho hogs, cattle, and poultry. Of wheat, we have one ami three fourth bushels. So that if the country, outside of the State, should fail to produce anything for export, a famine would ensue. The greatest difficulty in the way of diversi fied farming is found in the unsettled condition of the cotton market, and in the disposition of lminun nature to speculate in its production. It is the same feeling which induces so many to buy cotton futures. From some cotton cir ulnr, or their own innate convictions, they anticipate making a splendid crop while the Southwest will fail, ami they, of course, will get a good price. If cotton could be kept down at a comparatively low rate for a series of years, it would be much better for the planter and the country generally than the remarkable fluctuations so constantly trans piring. It would drive the town planters from its production to their legitimate occupa tions. It would reduce the area northward and southward, and cause many in the cotton licit proper to make their own supplies, and a surplus for their non-producing neighbors. We have a very excitable people, who seem to lie influenced more by their findings and incli nations than their judgment liet the price of cotton advance in the spring, the whole country is excited on the subject of planting more of it, which, of course, means less bread stuffs. Now, let us suppose a few who take things more dispassionately (and there is such • class, however small,) reasoning thus. There will lie necessarily a large crop of cotton made the present year, so largcthat the price will fall as soon as the first cotton is in, and the fact known. Asa necessary consequence, but little attention will be paid to corn and other grain crops. Hogs and sheep will be left to take care of themselves, and all of these things will be in demand by our neighbors another year. We will pay more attention to all these interests and less to cotton. Is is not very clear that the class who pursue this course, year after year, will lie much better off at the cud of ten or twenty years than their neighbors: and that tliis policy is the best, not only for indi viduals but for the whole country. Between 1850 and 1870 the population of the State increased 23.47 peroentt., and yet the production of Indian corn fell oft from 33.19 per capita to 14 90 within that period ; of swine, 2.39 to 0.83, and nearly everything else in sim ilar proportions, except wheat and syrup. Of tlie former, ill 1850, there was produced 120 bushels for each inhabitant, and in 1870, 179. We present a list of the per cent, of increase and decrease of population, value of farms and farm productions, whicli should be well studied by every planter and farmer in the State. Within the two decades with a con siderably larger population, ns above indicated, the increased production of wheat was 48.82 pr cent.; of syrup, 76.17; of cultivated or improved acreas of land, 7.09 per cent; and in the value of live stock, 14.08 per cent. In every other article there lias been a decease between the years 1849 and 1809, as follows: Cash value of farms 1.24 percent Farming implements 21.70 per cent Lotton bales 5.05 per cent Sheep 25 16 per cent -’"R* 54 36 per cent Horses and mules 18.92 per cent Indian corn 41.38 per cent ***** per cent THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST. Rice.. , 40.37 per cent Pea*.. 63.22 per cent Sweet potatoes 62.47 per cent Heat cattle 36.30 per cent Sugar 60.84 per cent For five years previous to the war, ending in 1860, the average production of cotton was 3,593,000 hales. The last five years, counting the incoming crop at four millions, the aver age is 3,055,000 bales. In 1849, the four old cotton States of Sooth Carolina, Georgia, Ala bama and Mississippi, made 97,552,153 bushels of Indian corn. In 1869 the same States made only 57,875,930. While the decrease of hogs in the same States is still greater, being in 1849 6,721,394, and in 1869, 2,918,703. Thus we pi rc lie that while the production of cotton, has increased with a wretched system ol labor other crops have been wofully neglected. Jt is only requisite then to reduce the production of cotton to its standard with other produc tions, previous to the war, to restore the pros perity of the country. The principal end to he obtained by diversi fied farming at the South is to prevent the overproduction of cotton which all admit is the main cause of low prices. A crop) of 3,000,000 hales, it is believed, would bring as much money into the country as a crop of 4,000,000 bales. If this he true, and the facts point that way, it would he good policy for the planters to cultivate that much Jess, even if their ener gies were expended on nothing else. They had better let their lands rest anil employ one fourth less labor than to lay out so much en ergy in producing more cotton than they can dispose of at remunerative prices. Hut you cannot convince peop'e that what will benefit the country at large, will also in ure to individual interests. While each farmer is fully convinced that a reduction of one million of bales would greatly enhance thet price of cotton, lie is equally well assured tha for him to cut off one-fourth of his crop would not add to the price, but depirive him of one fourth of li is cotton money. lienee the effort to make a man plant less cotton on the score of interest is perfectly futile, because he knows that the less he plants the more others will slrive to make. The only way, then, by which this change can be effected, is to convince the farming class that they can make more by the diversion of a portion of their labor, at least, to something else than cotton. It becomes, then, a most interesting inquiry, What crops can be made, either for home markets, or exports, that will pay as well as cotton V In order to answer this question correctly, it is proper to state that, owing to local causes growing out of soil, climate and population, some cropis will pay better than others; and all these causes should be estimat'd before we can reach a just con clusion. For example : A farmer living near a city could make a few acres of land pay him better in fruits and vegetables than in cotton. Instance the watermelon farms near the cily of Augusta. With a market at hand for the sale of such fruits, it would be the ex tremest folly for a man to make cotton instead. It would he equally foolish for a farmer, liv ing fifty miles away, to nttempt to compete successfully with these suburban furtriH, and transport melons to market, either by wagon or by railroad. Mere, then, we have many farms lying adjacent to all of our cities and large towns on which diversified agriculture might be established with a good prospect of remu neration. But we find so far from this that gin houses are erected within the corpiorate limits of cities, rich lots and gardens are planted in cotton, when it brings a good price, and other crops neglected which would pay better year after year with the same outlay of capital and labor. On cotton farms distant from cities and rail road facilities, it would not pay to cultivate corn or small grnin as staple products. Nor would it pny to buy them for the same reason, viz., the cost of transportation. It would cost a farmer living ten miles from a depot, about S4OO to shell, sack and haul 2,000 bushels of corn and ship to market, the same value in cotton at present low prices, say thirty-two bales would cost him only about S2O to haul that distance. There would he a profit in the bagging, and the cotton seed would pay him twice over for the ginning and packing. While it would not be profitable for farmers thus situated to raise these crops for export, it will always pay them to produce an abundant supply of corn, oats, wheat and meat for home consumption. Are there any crops for export that might he made remunerative to this class of farmers? In other words, that would pay as well or bet ter than cotton? In the cotton belt proper, with the exceptions above indicated, and with negro labor, it is extremely doubtful whether any other crop would pay for export except cotton. Especially is this true on the tenant or share system, which has generally been adopted among the larger class of cotton planters. An improvement, however, can be made, even here, on the present plan ol plant ing cotton and corn exclusively. Generally when negroes work on shares their labor is counted us one-third, the land as one-third, and the capital as one-third. The laborer has to pay lor a portion of the fertilizer, and is allowed land enough for a garden, potato patch, etc. The only crops planted for division are corn and cotton. In some rare instances, iiogs and small grain crops are included. Now, this is a wretched policy, both for the landlord and the tenant, ns we cm easily show. In the first place, the land is injured by such a rotation, even if you rest it occasionally. A heavy draft is made, not only on the mineral elements of fertility, which can never he re placed by any natural processes, but the vege table matter is rapidly destroyed, which pre vents the accumulation of humus, which acts so beneficially on our impoverished and thirsty lands, by absorbing and retaining both am monia and moisture, for the benefit of plants. Besides, the land is washed into gul lies, the fences run down, and the soil soon exhausted under negro management, so as to be abandoned iii a few years, or replenished an nually witli a commercial fertilizer, at a cost of from five to eight dollars per acre. Even these fertilizers will fail to remunerate when the humus is exhausted from the soil ; for the cotton will rust fromjdeticient moisture and nu trition ; the laborers become discouraged, and seek richer lands, and the land holders have to sacrifice their possessions, or change their policy. How is this wide-spread evil to be remedied ? \Ve answer, by diversified form ing and rotation in crojw. But with the evils of the share system upon us, and an ignorant class of laborers, who know nothing but to make corn and cotton, can we make it pay to diversify our crops? YVe answer, only in a certain way aud to a limitld extent. The ten ants themselves might be made interested in the small grain crops, to such tin extent as to induce them to aid in the cultivation of wheat and oats. There is no crop that will pay so well for mule feed, for the labor expended as oats. Wheat, also, sown on rich lots, may be cut and fed to great advantage, from the time it passes the milk stage till fully ripe; and ne groes would be very much pleased to have an interest in the wheat crop, as they are great lovers ol flour bread. The raising of hogs is another interest entirely too much neglected. This has grown out of the difficulty to keep them, especially when in good condition, from being stolen by half-starved negroes. This was much worse immediately after the war than under our present State government. The most stringent laws should be enacted to protect this interest. Notwithstanding bacon is very cheap in the West, it can still he raised in the cotton States, at least to a certain extent, more cheaply than it can be bought. Good hog ranges could be made, by appropriating small parcels of land to persimmons, black berries and plums, all of which will grow without any labor even for the planting. A lit tle attention, however, will make them more prolific. Kye and wheat lots could be sown for them, which they could gather themselves when rip>e ; then the tumipi, potato and pea crop, with grass lots and acorns, for the win ter, would keep them fat the year round, with hut litt’e oilier food or attention, only to keep them (itnned at night to protect them from rogues. But you say, this looks very well on paper ; but who has time to attend to so many things? We admit that the man who is sold, body, rnind and estate, to the making of cot ton, will have time for nothing else; but we are equally convinced that the small portion of time occupied in making hog pastures, and attending to them, will pay much better than the same time devoted to cotton. I am satisfied that it would pay every large cotton planter in the South to Save one or more first-class, intelligent laborers hired on wages, and good wages at that, to attend to three special interests: Ist, To swine, as above indicated; 2d. To the saving and preparation of manures; and 3d. To sheep husbandry. Let cotton planting be the special leading ii terest —this is as it should lie. Let him work his hands on the share system if he chooses, to make nothing but corn, cotton and sjiail grain; but let him raise plenty of meat, not for ex portation, but for his own family, his tenerus, and to sell to non-producers in his own neigh borhood. To prepare home made manure, let him be gin with the wood yard. Rake off'all the chips large enough to burn, and then take those in a state of partial or complete decay, and move to a shelter where they can be spread and air-dried. They are now fit to be used in the horse stalls to absorb the urine, the most valu able part ol stable manure. This, with the cobs, straw, etc., will accumulate a rich bed in a few months. It need not be moved for six or twelve months. This, with cotton seed well saturated with water, should be composted, in conical heaps, after Christmas. A high heat will be generated in the centre of the heap— hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and carbon all set to work in forming chemical changes with one another in makinng ammonia and carbonic acid, and in uniting with numerous bases to make soluble salts. As the ammonia, which is formed by the union of nitrogen and hydro gen, is volatile, and will seek an avenue of es cape, it is important to have the tieaps well covered, either with the air-dried chip manure, or pulverized clay, which should also be air dried. These substances will absorb the am monia, and add much to the fertilizing quali ties of the manure. A good supply of air-dried clay and humus soil should lie kept constantly on hand, for purposes above indicated, as well as to apply to the hen houses,privies, etc. This should he a daily business; and the amount of nitrogenous matter tints saved would well pay the wages of one man. Then the ashes should Ire husbanded and treated with sulphuric acid, which will convert all the mineral liases into sulphate, and the phosphoric acid into soluble phosphates. This, mixed and ammoniated with the cover ing of the compost heaps, or the night soil, will make a most powerful fertilizer. Then every bone should be saved, and brukyj up into small pieces with a sledge and put into barrels in InycrswlgMkjdfl li 1,.l on 1,1 i>r ]o, Jj ■I • This will dissolve all the f oMM of a few months, and form a pliate, which will make a powerful fertilizer, added to the nitrogenous manures above men tioned. The work thus laid out, together with much more that might he mentioned, would keep one hand employed the year round, on a large plantation. Another might be employed in taking care of the sheep, changing them from one pasture to another, removing the hurdles, planting tur nips and grass lots for them to feed on, giving them their daily rations of fodder, shearing, butchering, and supplying the market with good fresh mutton. As indicated elsewhere, this might be made a great means of fertilizing our worn soils, by sowing turnips with a little stipe rphospbate, and feeding them ofi with the sheep, thereby making wool and mutton, and enriching the land by the same operation. The reason why diversified farming lias I failed so signally, heretofore, among cotton planters, is, that they attempt to plant full crops of cotton while they inaugurate a new enterprise. Of course, sucli an interest as sheep husbandry would soon fail in negligent hands; and unless proper means are used, and plenty of time allowed, it had better not he attempted. Hence, we propose that it he an independent enterprise, and begun in a small way at first, until its success has been demon strated. We shall believe, until convinced by indisputable facts, that one hand devoted to this industry can make more clear rnotiev, with much less labor, than one engager! in making cotton. We believe that sheep husbandry af fords a better prospect for remuneration, in connection with cotton planting, than anything else; because, while tire land is constantly be ing worn in the one case, the other would help to restore it, nothing lieing exhausted from it except the wool, which would not amount to a serious detriment. While it is true that rice requires a different soil front cotton, and in that far does not com pete with it, yet it is equally true that this product will pay better than cotton, if the la bor could be regulated properly. Previous to the war, the rice planters averaged a better in come than the cotton planters. Then the pro duction was much greater than now, and the price much less. If a portion of the capital employed in making cotton, in the lower nart of the State, was devoted to rice, it would, I doubt not, pay the planters a better profit, while it would help to decrease the amount of cotton —an end so much to be desired. The same remarks will apply to the produc tion of sugar. In 1850, there were made in the United States 247,577 hogsheads; in 1870, only 87,043 —nearly two-thirds less—while the average production of cotton, for the last four years, exceeds any other four years in its his tory. The area of cotton having been extended northward, by the use of fertlizers, it is really a more certain crop in that section than in th southern portion. Where the sugar cane fioura ishes, there seems to be every inducement for the production of sugar to be’increased, where it can be made at all. The introduction of the grasses into Georgia seems to have been thus far almost a complete failure, particularly in the middle and south ern portions of the State. The late Judge Thomas, cf Hancock county, tried every va riety he could obtain, native and imported, some fifty odd in number, and cante to the conclusion that none of them would pay for hay or pasturage on his land, except the'Ber muda. He cultivated a siliceous pine land soil with a clay subsoil. We note that in 1850 there were 23,449 tons of hav produced, and in 1870 only 10,578. The Comptroller I General’s report for 1874 shows that there are i 18,138 acres devoted to clover and grass seeds, and it is hoped, that, in the upper portion of the State, they will devote more labor to the grasses and less to cotton. It will certainly pay (hem better at present prices, and the prospect for any great increase in the price oT cotton is certainly very gloomy, growing out the fact of overproduction. In upper Geor gia, then, nearly every acre of land should be devoted to corn, wheat, oats, hay and tobacco, as staple crops, making cotton only a secondary consideration, while bacon and dairy products should engage a much greater share of atten tion than they do. In 1850 the production of butter was 4,640,- 559 pounds ; iff 1870, 4,499,572 pounds, show ing that this interest receives considerable at tention even among the cotton producing counties. Gheese, however, has fallen oil from 40,976 pounds to 4,292. There is no reason, except a deficiency in skilled industry, why tic upper counties of the State should not tie equal to the Northwestern States in daily farms and products, and, if our own people will not avail themselves of the natural ad vantages afforded them, the time is not far distant when others will come in and di.-> posses them of their fair heritage. Of the new articles of production which have been brought into the South, we think j the jute promises well. It is estimated that four times as much can heprodtued to theacre as cot ton and with much less labor, eitlierag tocul tivation, gathering or preparation for market. It will grow successfully in any climate suita ble for cotton, and will command about half the price of that staple. It is believed that better prices and a greater demand will spring up when it becomes a staple article of produc tion and suitable mills are erected for its man ufacture. AH the coaser textures in the East, as gunny bagging, are woven from it, and as another item in the diversified farming in the South, we think it well worth a trial. In the cotton belt proper, we believe that cotton will pay better than anything else, and it is to the interest of cotton planters to culti vate it as a leading crop, making everything else subsidiary to it. But the man who at tempts to make cotton, exclusively, and buy his supplies from tire West, will find it to he a losing business, as all his predecessors have dune. He must at least diversify his farming interests, so as to produce Ilia own corn, bacon and flour. If lie dues that at the sacrifice even of a few hales of cotton, he will have benefitted himself as well as the country at large. In order to ascertain whether he*can make this much cheaper than lie cau buy, it is not proper to make an abstract esti mation of the comparative cost of the pro duction of corn and cotton. The true plan is to charge the whole outfit of the plan tation, lands, teams, plows and provender, to the cotton crop. You have provided them to make cotton, and the only question now is, that you have them, Can you make your supplies cheaper without any outlay" for these things than you can buy them from the West? Then, ail that can be made without interfering with (he cotton crop, absolutely costs nothing. One itoeing and two plough ing is all that costs anything. These come in a time to take away work needed to be done in the cotton fields. Charging $1 a day for man and horse, the ploughing and hoeing can be cheaply done at $3 per acre. Twelve bushels is a poor average for an intelligent class of farmers to make. This gives him corn in crib for twenty-five cents per bushel. Oats is still cheaper. For the preparation of land, ploughing, etc., costs him nothing if he lias hands on wages, and but littie any way. The only interference with the cotton crop is the cutting and housing, which is comparatively a Bjhdl matter, as one good hand can cut four in one day. i; exportation of crops from'a State or ■fntry, it is important to take into account Wtie amount of fertilizing material carried off by them, in order to form a just estimate of their true value. For if it is necessary for a farmer to replace these substances, in or order to make good crops, whatever it costs him to put them back is their value to him in dollars and cents. The following table shows the average of a number of analyses of the amount and value of these three most important principles car ried ofi by your field crops, from one acre of 1 ind: i"S | t-., "C re U | g - J j 0 = • *5 - !y; [- ”2 25 i' K £ '.- o |*> P j_~_ H r— -250 lbs. lint cotton I 1.80 0.43 <1.93 S sc* 13 51K| lbs. cotton seed j22.70p.04 563 7 1)9 l 17 750 seed cotton i 24.70 5.49 6.56 6 57 1 30 8 1 ;7 bushels wheat 110.40 4.7s 13.21 401 83 Wheat with an equal ain't straw 12.00 5-11 i 1.06 4 82 1 22 12 bushels outs 8.8212.75 2.11 ,1 07 58 Oats with an equal amount of straw 110 04 3.67 t 1.97 4 04 1 04 9 bushels peas 18.35 5.60 6.12 j 7 69 1 28 ti bushels corn J 8 oc|3 19 1.93 j 3 04) 65 We perceive from this, that the amount of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash, exported from the Stale in fibre is much smaller than any of the cereals, and in fact so little as to be hardly noticeable; but when the seed is con nected with it, it is more exhaustive than any of the other crops. Thus the money value of these substances taken from one aoe of land, by cropping at 750 pounds of seed cotton, would be $8 57; that is it would take lhat much money to buy that amount of these sub stances in available forms, and return to the soil. The seed being returned, however, leaves only 08 cents to be taken from the acre. Now, if we only count what is exported from the State, the cotton crop takes oil only 58 cents of valuable substances from the soil, while an average crop of wheat would take of! |4 01 per acre; peas, $7 09; and corn and oats, a little more than 00 each. This shows very clealy that for exportation peas is the most exhaustive of all. This estimate includes nitrogen, which, for several reasons, cannot be considered as an actual and permanent loss to the soils, it is well known to be valuable in all soils, being constantly forming as ammonia and nitric acid, and then evaporated by winds or washed out by rains. Thus, every bushel of wheat imported into the State, brings over a pound of nitrogen, about 35 cents in value, but it may be easily lost, and most of it is lost; therefore cannot be put down as adding to our wealth. But the mineral substances are dif ferent. Every bushel of wheat imported into the State, or its equivalent in flour, transports from the fertile fields ol the West, eleven cents worth of phosphoric acid and potash, to be deposited on our exhausted cotton soils. Every bushel of Indian corn, seven cents worth; of oats, five cents wortli; and of peas, fourteen cents worth : while our exportation of cotton only carries oil' thirteen cents worth per acre, equal to twenty-five cents per bale. This may he termed indirect exhaustion, but what is properly direct exhaustion puts a different phase upon the subject. The seed is taken from the land as well as the lint, and is rarely returned to the same soil; hence it may be considered as a direct loss to it; and so of the straw of wheat and oats. Then the table shows in this view that there is more nitrogen exhausted from our soils by a crop of cotton than any other field crop, more phosphoric acid by a crop of peas and more potash by a crop of oats; whilJ Indian corn exhausts less of these valuable substances than any of the other field crops. Combining the three, and estimating their money value, cotton is the most exhausting, peas next, then wheat, then oats, and lastly corn. As vegetable matter in the soil is the great source of nitrogen, both by what is inherent in it as well as the absorbing power of humus for ammonia and for water containing ammo nia, we can very easily conceive how cotton, by its clean culture and uncompromising destruc tion of the organic matter of the soil, exhausts it so rapidly of this important element. Then, a rotation of crops is necessary in order to keep up a supply of nitrogen, and for this cause, if no other, a regular system of diver sified farming should be established. The planter who runs his land four years in cotton consecutively, will have exhausted it of 97 pounds of nitrogen by what is carried off in an average crop of 750 pounds of seed cotton. To replace this in the soil will require an outlay of $29 10 purchased in the markets But it is estimated that one-half of the nitrogen re quisite fora fuJLcrop is furnished by the rain and other atmospheric influences, provided the soil is properly prepared for its reception. Even more than this, 1 doubt not, could he husbanded in the soil itself by a proper rota tion of crops, and mechanical improvement of the soil. While we are seeking relief in diversified farming from the evils of overproduction, we should not forget that much of this is brought about by the wretched credit system now ex tant. Nearly all of the profits of planters go into the hands of middlemen, who have capi tal to operate on. If every planter who has to buy his fertilizers and supplies on credit would curtail his operations within legitimate bounds, make his own supplies,and buy sparing ly of fertilizers, and cultivate less, we would not hear so much about overproduction and low prices. Indeed, lam well satisfied that our intelligent planters, with a cash capital and judicious management, can make Cotton remu neratively for a lower price ftian has been touched since the war. 1 am satisfied tnat 3,600,- 000 hales could be made on a cash basis to pay better than 4,000,000 on the credit saystern. To this complexion it will come at last, and the sooner our planters adjust themselves and their plans to the logic of events, the better for them and the country at large. BOOKS, PERIODICALS. Etc. Southern Baptist Publication Society SOW AT WOltK Publishing a large LIST of BAPTIST BOORS. ; Baptist Psalmist, with and without music: Little Seraph, shaped notes; Middle Life, exposing Spiritism. Bv J. K. Geaves. Now ready. New editions of Southern l**;ilmit, Theodosia llrnest, and other standard works, just from our presses. We keep a full line of religions books and Siun elay.wc-liool l.itera tut —anything need ed by schools or churches. Oi uruish any bool: at Publishers' prices. We ’ i ; out a fine SUB SGBIPTION BIBLE. Book Work at Northern Prices. We are prepared to do Book Work at Northern prices, and solicit correspondence with authors. We will print and distribute bv mail as directed Catalogues of Colleges and Minutes of Associa tions on Überal terms. Diplomas, circulars, cards, etc.. for Colleges. Masonic, Odd Fellows, and other societies, gotten up in the best style. Agents AViiu(-l who can pay cash for our goods. Send for catalogues. Orders, to have prompt attention, must be addressed to W. D. iVI A AFIELD, jun2s-ly 367 Main street, Memph Tenn. GOSPEL SONGS. A Song Settixo of GOSPEL TRUTHS. BY £>. P. BLISS. For Revivals, Praise Meetings and Narnia) Schools It is offered as being the llo n t Powerful Bet of Songs for Revivals and Praise Meetings ever published. As will be noticed, it contains songs that have acquired a world-wide popularity and influence. Besides these, will be found many new nnl equally good Songs anil Hymns for the Sunday-school by this popular author. An examination will convince any one inter ested that “ Gospel Niongs *'‘is a work of more than ordinary merit. Frlce, 35 cents; S3.GO per dozen. Specimen copies for examination mailed, post paid, on receipt of 710 cents. Published bv JOHN CHURCH A CO., septl7-3m Ciueinnati, O. THE GREAT 111 81C BOOl^! For CONVENTIONS and SINGING-SCHOOLS ARE THE SONG- ERA, By F. W. ROOT. THE SOUSEG- KING By H. R. PALMER. THE JOY, By P. P. BLISS. The True Singing-School TEXT BOOK. By A. N. JOHNSON. Price of each 97.50 per dozen. Specimen copy of either 75 cents, post-paid, by mail. Published bv JOHN CHURCH & CO , novl2.ct Cincinnati, O. 56TK THOUSAND IN PRESS. The greatest selling book this year is the LIFE OP I.IVIAGSTO'M:. nnfoldiug the marvelous achievements and thrilling experience of a veritable Hero, as also the varied wealth and curiosities of a most wonderful country. We issue the most complete and authenie work, and want more Agents at once. We also publish the choicest edition of Family Bibles extant, 800 illustrations, new features positively unequaled. We grant excellent terms. For full particulars of the above, address HUBBARD BROS., octlo-ly 723 Hansom street, Phil’a, Pa. EMPLOYMENT^ Cash pay. SAMPLES AND OUTFIT SENT FREE to the right person in each neighborhood. Address, with reference, H. J. Hall & Cos., Baltimore, Md. jan2B.4t ’ MISCELLANEOUS. The Franklin Printing House BOOK BINDERY Odb friends will pleaße remember (1) that we have in connection with the Index and Baptist a BOOK and JOB PRINTING OFFICE and BOOK BINDERY complete in all appointments. 11. That we turn out as good work in these lines, as any house in the land, either North or South, East or West. HI. Hiat onr prices will compare favorably with any of them; and IY. That friends of The Index and Baptist can materially aid it by influencing Mercantile Rail way, Professional and other friends, to send their orders for anytliing in our line, to this office. Such confidence shall not he abused. Address JAS. P. HARRISON A CO., Proprietors Franklin Steam Printing House. 2"80.ft. TIE PATENT Mtton ftAHU &THAS NiO lAII AI,. Seven Hensons for Purchasing an Arion Plano. First— There are four valuable PATENTED improvements in the Arion Piano, which simplify its construction, and which the most unskilled person can readily understand Must improve the TONE and DURABILITY of the Instrument. Second— The Arion is as perfect an instru ment in workmanship and quality of mate rials used in its construction a, can he made, and every Piano we manufacture is fully warranted for five years. Third -These Instruments have greater vol ume of tone combined with a perfect even ness throughout the scale, and a length and purity of vibration, that cannot be found in any other square Piano. fourth- The Arion remains in tune louger than any other Piano in the world, as has been demonstrated since its first introduction to the Musical public ; as for the proof of this fact read uur testimonials from purchas ers. I'ilYh-All our instruments are 7 1-3 Octaves and they are the largest square Pianos manufactured. We use the same quality of materials, aud pay the same price for work manship for our plain Pianos, as we do for the higher-priced ones. Sixth—Although the Arion costs to manufac ture more thau any other Piano made (owing to its peculiar construction) we sell at lower figures than the same grade of Piano can be purchased for elsewhere; because we are desirous of increasing our business, our facilities formanufacturing being unlimitted. Seventh —Over Seven Thousand Purchasers in all parts of the world who have purchased Arion Pianos, now testify to the excellent tone and great durability of these improve ments; while nearly all the Conservatories of Music throughout the United States have adopted the Arion Piano. For a full description of the Patented Improve ments used in the Arieu Piano, and further par ticulars, see our illustrated pamphlet, which wo mail free to all applicants. ARION PIANO FORTE CO., No. 5 East Fourteenth street, New York City. n0v26.1y BEMIITG-TOTT. Tlie Remington Sewing Machine has sprang rapidly into favor a* posseting the bent Combi nation of good qualities, namely: Light ran ning, smooth, noiseless, rapid, durable, with perfect Lock Stitch. It is a Shuttle Machine, with Automatic Drop Feed. Design beautiful and construction the very best. Remington No. 1 Machine for family use, in the third year of its existence, lias met with a more rapid increase of ratio of sales than any machine in the market. Remington *'*°* MfccMn© for manufacturing famiI >’ UHe * (ready for delivery since June, 1874,) lor range, perfection, and variety of work, is without a rival in family or workshop (Wood Wanted. Send for Circular. REMINGTON SEWING MACHINE CO., Ilion, New York. Branch Offices of Remington Companies : E. Remington A Sons, 1 Remington Sewing M. Cos., r Ilion N. Y. Remington Ag’l Cos., ) 281 and 283 Broadway. New York, Arms Madison Square, New York, Sewing Machines. Chicago, 237 State at., S. Machines and Arms. Boston, 332 Washington st., Sewing Machines Cincinnati 181 West 4th st. Sewing Machines. Utica, 129 Genesee st.,Sewing Machines. Atlanta. Ga., DeGive's Opera House, Marietta street, Sewing Machines. Washington, D. C„ 521 Seventh st.. Machines jan.2m Br a, i:\ts wanted SkTELL IT ALL Mr*. Stenhoue of Salt Lake City, for 2.* U>B Wife of a Mormon JBi-h PnestT In ctioa by Mr* Stowe tß* So* of a M eT,>on . e !i ce lays bare the "hidden life,” enc, secret doings. etc. of the Mormon* Vu a e-mwiAe won,an fees them " Bright, Pure Good, it u the best new book out. actually h good thing* for all. It is popular every- Kl£ vcrybod W. n '} oUtsclu 0,1 Otherbook* three to U rL 6 a ***** speed it." Eminent women f OftTi r r" ! an< * • e * | ts are selling ' ***th thousand now in press/ \Ve * s ' nt * >' w- men or wo,non - nd rc< 7 *° those who will canvass. I.O'VO pamphlet, with full particulars, term., etc. .'Jit /See to aIL AddTMa, QUKKX CITY PUBLISHING 00.. Cic7luuan, oT *r EXCELSIOR PI'BLISBING CO.. SU Loots, Mo. jau2ti.ly Afl B| naTT A QCSTTTJQ Mnd No ° r T our Lodws fl IB V AOUJkIV(ia f :4urtnmthiap&pT. We S B ft* Eskß wit convince you agents with our superb Home fH Pictures tor Masons. Odd-Fellows, Knights ■ LB Pythias. Grangers, Red-men . Mechanics, etc., ■ |l ■ ns&kina double thov could nnv other way: W mmmm*™ P*an*er. J. HALE POtf F.RS A CO- Fraternity & Fin* Art Pubs., Cincinnati, O febl2-ly ~X\T /IT? 1Y t°r all. At home, male or fe- T T * "JV Tv male. 935 per week, day or evening. No capital. We send valuable pack age of goods by mail free. Address, with ten cent return stamp, M. Young, 173 Greenwich, street, N. Y. octß-26t