صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

14 to 19; 1836-7, 1034 to 16; 1837-'8, 7% @ 12; 1838-'9, 12% to 10%, and, in 1825, it advanced to 28 pence a pound.

That prices must be high another year, it will be seen that the consumption of 1849 was 3,189,000, and it is increasing and destined to increase, if the raw material can be had. Without calculating for increase, let us allow that the cousumption of

1850, would be. 1851,....

And let us see what is the possible supply of cotton for these years, say

for 1849-50

United States crop,

Supply from India, &c.,...

Crop of United States, 1850-'51,...

Supply from India, &c.,......

Bales.

3,189,000

3,189,000

6,378,000

[blocks in formation]

leaving an insufficiency at our highest estimated crop for this year, and possible crop of 1850-'1, of near one million bales. What must be the result? High prices.

9. THE COTTON CROP OF 1850-51.

There can be no question that we are to have another short crop of cotton. On almost every hand, except, perhaps, in Florida, the cry is raised and cannot be called into doubt. The result upon prices must be deeply felt. The failure of two successive crops, in a time of general peace, is an event which will have the most marked influence. It satisfies us of the truth of a position we have long held, that the a rage supply of this staple is limited, and has, perhaps, already reached its height. The corollary follows, that prices must rule a great deal higher, on the average, than they have done—the cost of production remaining unchanged and consumption advancing.

We write this paper at the close of June, and annex a few reports from the planting States, relating to the month of May:

NORTH ALABAMA.-There is a general apprehension among planters, in this section of the country, as to the prospects of the present cotton crop. There have been such frequent and heavy rains, that the crops in the low lands have been flooded, and destroyed in some instances, and those on high lands have been greatly injured. Cold nights and winds have greatly increased the injury. Some planters express the opinion that they have not half a stand, and we have heard of none who expect to make a full crop.

TENNESSEE. We still have rainy weather, and the accounts from our planting interior are most unpropitous. It is thought, that, under the most favorable weather now, not more than half our customary crop can be made. The continuous rains and chilling atmosphere have rotted most of the seed in the ground, or so diseased the young plant, as to settle the matter for this year. Hundreds are plow ng up again, and others would do so, but for the scarcity of seed. However, our planters should not complain very bitterly, as they have not had a really short crop in ten or twelve years.

LOUISIANA. We continue to hear most distressing accounts of the effects of the overflow. By a gentleman, recently from that district of the State, we learn that the Tensas and Ouachita rivers are both over their banks, and that all the neighboring plantations are submerged. In Tensas parish, of which he spoke more particularly, he said the desolation was very great, extending to the destruction of the crops as well as of the stock, and depriving many plantations, not only of all shelter, but also of all food for the proprietors and their negoes. MISSISSIPPI.-It certainly is the fact, that this spring is the wettest, coldest and most backward of any that we have had for many years. We have been hoping and expecting, for pleasant, settled spring weather, for many weeks. But we have been doome to continual disappointment. In consequence of the weather, many planters have had to plant their cotton the second time. Corn is small and does not look well. It is too early to predict anything about what the crop may be next fall. We can only say that, at present, the prospect is dull and gloomy enough.

DEPARTMENT OF MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE.

1. SOUTHERN FACTORIES.

THE number of cotton factories in four of the southern States is as follows:
No. of factories. No. of spindles. Capital employed. Bales cot. consumed.

Tennessee..

[blocks in formation]

30

11

36
16

36,000

16,962

51.140

36,500

$100,000
500,000
121.000
1,000,000

12.000

6,000

27.000

15,000

2. COTTON FACTORIES IN ALABAMA.

We were shown last week some samples of cottonades, ginghams, checks and osnaburgs, colored and plain, made at the factory in Huntsville, which, for quality and durability, would compare with similar goods made in the manufacturing towns of the North. The colored goods were excellent, and, were we not assured to the contrary, we should have pronounced them eastern goods. The factory at Florence is doing a thrifty business. It works forty-six looms turning 1600 spindles, and produces 80,000 yards of cloth per week. Besides this large amount of cloth, it manufactures, also, 6,000 dozen of thread per week. The weekly consumption of cotton is about 6,000 pounds, averaging 750 bales of cotton per year. As an instance of the pro perity of factories in this region, a new one is about being established on the same stream, on the opposite side, which it is calculated will consume 40 bales of cotton per week. The factory in this city is about increasing the number of looms. At this time it works only forty, which are chiefly employed in manufacturing the four qualities of goods. In a few weeks the present number of looms will be increased to seventy-two. The cloths made at this factory are in high repute and meet with ready sales.

3. LIST OF COTTON FACTORIES IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

The machinery of the Mobile factory has been contracted for, I understand, and that of Autaugaville is now in the mill.

4. ANOTHER COTTON FACTORY.

D. P.

The Charleston Mercury, in speaking of the satisfactory results attending the working of the present Charleston cotton mill, of which Gen. C. T. James was the engineer, thus alludes to a new one in contemplation in that city:

"We learn with much satisfaction, that his highly liberal offer to subscribe for half the stock of a $300,000 cotton mill, will insure, at an early day, the erection of a factory in our city on an enlarged scale, and which will compare favorably in style, finish and product, with any ever built in this country or Great Britain. The remarkably practical genius of Gen. James, his wide experience in all that concerns the cotton manufacture, and his careful study of all the questions connected with its successful introduction into the southern States, give great value and interest to the conviction he has expressed, and so strongly backed, in favor of the adaptation of Charleston for the prosecution of this great department of industry on an extensive scale. The extent to which he desires to identify himself with our manufactures is most gratifying proof of his

perfect faith in their success, and may be considered as settling the question whether their profitable establishment is within our power."

5. MORE FACTORIES.

The Atlanta Intelligencer says: "We understand that the manufacturing company at Roswell, in Cobb county, have recently laid the foundation of a new factory near the site of the one now in operation. The new factory is to run 5,000 spindles, and the building materials are nearly all in readiness.

We learn also, that Gov. McDonald has just completed a new factory in Campbell county, to run 5,000 spindles. Thus the work goes bravely on."

6. AUGUSTA-SOUTHERN MANUFACTURES.

We have heretofore noticed the various improvements which have been made in our city recently, in the manufacturing line, such as one of the most profitable cotton factories in the Union, two flour mills that will bear a comparison with any in New York, a machine shop, a bucket and barrel steam factory, two founderies, &c. We now have the pleasure of announcing a new branch of industry in the South, and in our city, which, from present appearances, promises to yield a good profit to its enterprising projector.

Those who have visited the city will recollect the building known as the Augusta theater. The spirit of improvement has converted it to another and more profitable use. The ground flour has been converted into a brewery, and the second story into one of the handsomest and best arranged concert rooms in the South. The room occupies the whole space of the building, without pillar or post to interrupt the sound, and has an arched roof full twenty feet in height. The lower part, with an adjoining building just erected, is the brewery. Its enterprising proprietor, Mr. Martin Frederick, invited us yesterday to inspect its interior arrangements and test the quality of his brewing. He has two samples on tap, one for shipment, the other for inmediate use. We tasted of both, and feel no hesitancy in pronouncing his beer equal to any brought from the North, and have no doubt, when he gets well to work, he will be able to produce an article altogether superior.

This brewery will be a great accommodation to the surrounding country, for not only will purchasers be enabled to get a fresh and good article, but at a much less price than that from the North commands. Mr. Frederick will be able to furnish his beer at six dollars, if the barrel is returned, and his establishment, at present, is capable of turning out two hundred barrels per week. The ladies will also find this brewery convenient; for, when in want of that necessary article, yeast, they can always obtain a supply by sending for it.

7. COLEMAN'S GRANITE FLOUR MILL, AUGUSTA.

We are pleased to notice the final completion, after many delays, of this durable and elegant structure. It is now one of the most perfect establishments of the kind in the United States, and will stand, for ages, a monument of Augusta enterprise, and of architectural and mechanical skill. It is built entirely of granite, brought from the head of the canal, and is a solid and showy edifice. No expense has been spared in its interior structure and arrangements, to make it do good work. The machinery is of the most perfect kind, and moves like clock-work.

The small castings are from the excellent foundry of Messrs. Neeson & Tilkey, of this city, and are said to be equal to any that are brought from any quarter. We have had the opportunity of testing the flour turned out by this mill, and we are prepared to pronounce it a beautiful article, equal to the best brands brought into this market.

We can now say, with perfect confidence, that Augusta can furnish, from her two merchant mills-that of J. L. Coleman & Co., and that of Cunningham & Linton-as good flour as any other city in the United States.

8. EXPORTS OF GREAT BRITAIN.

The Liverpool and Manchester journals have been, for some time past, representing trade, in the manufacturing districts, to be in a depressed condition; that

[ocr errors]

the weekly deliveries of cotton to the trade had materially decreased, and that many of the mills were soon to commence working short time.

We have taken some pains to prepare the following table from official returns to the Board of Trade, for the first quarter of the year 1850, with a comparison for 1849, which are as follows:

EXPORTS of British and Irish produce and manufactures, from the United Kingdom, in the three months ending 5th April, 1850, compared with those in the corresponding months of the year 1849:

[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

By the above figures it appears, that there is an increase in the total amount of exports, for the first quarter of 1850, of nearly two millions pounds sterling. This increase, too, on almost every article of British manufacture, does not confirm that dull state of trade, the cotton circulars, received by each steamer, would have us believe. Neither do we think the quantity or value of goods retained for home consumption has been diminished, or that the internal trade of the kingdom has fallen off. The fact is apparent, that cheap food and steady employment, thus far, this year, must have given the working classes the ability to increase, and not decrease, their consumption of the coarser fabrics, notwithstanding the advance in price, caused by the higher rates demanded for the raw material.-N. Y. Cour.er and Enquirer.

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Which is about eight per cent. on the total value of exports during the same period. And this excess all occurred prior to the year 1840, as appears from what follows:

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« السابقةمتابعة »