INTRODUCTION. XV 



independent of this country with respect to this indispensable 

 article. A project of this nature must be regarded with some 

 concern. It cannot succeed immediately, and it is doubtful 

 whether cotton can be produced in those countries, so as to 

 compete successfully in market with our own. In the first 

 place, the husbandry of cotton is fully understood in the Sou- 

 thern States; and in the second place, the adaptation of climate 

 and soil is perfect, and the means for supplying fertilizers to 

 sustain its continued production are equally well established. 

 Marl is the true fertilizer for cotton. This is fully established 

 by experience and chemical analysis. All these facts put it 

 in the power of the South to sustain vigorously, for an inde- 

 finite term of years, its production. From the Roanoke to 

 Florida, this fertilizer in numberless forms is inexhaustible. 

 Hitherto, it has been almost impossible to be satisfied that 

 there has been a systematic and sustained effort to carry this 

 production to the limit which the want of it abroad demands. 

 The time, however, has come, when its production has be- 

 come doubly important. The hopes of foreigners for success 

 in supplying themselves with cotton from India and Africa, 

 are based in a good degree upon its failure here, through some 

 misfortune, such as political revulsion, exhaustion of the soil 

 and other casualties which may occur, but which cannot now be 

 foreseen. As it regards the exhaustion of the soil, there need 

 be no fear, with the resources at command. It is true that large 

 tracts have been exhausted, but agriculture is understood 

 better now than formerly ; and hence, the planter is abundant- 

 ly able to forestall such an event and prevent its occurrence. 

 But in any event, the principles stated in the foregoing 

 paragraphs, will govern the market. The best and cheapest 

 article will be bought, and that will insure its sale in any 

 quarter of the globe, in spite of the combination of Cotton 

 Associations to produce it in India and Africa. If American 

 planters can produce the best at a lower rate than it can be 

 produced in India, then American cotton will find a market 

 in Liverpool. It is a simple question of production ; and for- 

 eign efforts to secure a market and exclude the American 

 cotton, will result simply in arousing the cotton planter to 

 make a successful effort to retain his foothold in the market 



