The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-12-21
From the National InteUigencer. - IS
COTTON CROP OF 1858 AND COTTON
STATISTICS. = =

During the past autumn your extensively Circus
lated paper both at home and abroad, appropriate
lv presented view of the prospect at that time of
this years cotton crop. Owing to unusually
long continuance of very favorable and sunny
weather during September and October and until
late in the autumn, there having been no frost in
s'the cotton region" worthy of notice before the
10th of November, and none "to kill' generally
until about the Goth of that month"; when the rains
set in the prospect of the cotton crop In September
has been more than realized Instead ofthe crop be-
ing about the same quantity last year, not quite
ia 900 bales it to be ascertained that the
present crop will range between 100000 and
8, 500 900 bales-good crops having been made in
the States east of Mississippi but in that State by
the accounts of intelligent persons who have lately
been thee, as also in Louisiana and Texas, and
some other of the Southwestern States or parts of
them it is believed. i general result, not more
than half crops have been made, as is certain in
MANY localities The foundations along the Mis-
sssippi river and of its tributaries, destroyed
whole crops the last spring. The extent of the da-
mage is not yet known, and is variously estimated,
is also the general crop.
The uncommon extent of the receipts and sales
at the cotton marts so early in the season, owing
to the circumstance of its unusual maturity, the
bulk of cotton having gone forward two months IN
advance of ordinary seasons, has perhaps led to
the erroneous opinion, especially in Europe, that
the cotton crop of the present year is much larger
than it actually is. Should it even exceed which
does net appear probable, $500 600 bales, that
quantity will be inadequate to the demand. This
scarce needs demonstration
! For several successive years the crops in this
country have been Short and the agitated state Of
India must have caused failure Of the crops
there.
1t will be observed that the crop in this country
of 1855 was 1927 S45 bales; and since then, up to
the present year. have never been exceeded. Last
years crop was 3,1l3,962 bales.
The total consumption in the United States last
year was less than $4,000 bales, while the export
about 100 900 bales, supposed to be mostly inferior
and unsaleable cotton, was left on hand, in this
country the first of September, 1858.
These statistics show what will be the probable
demand for the present crop of cotton, independent
of the improved trade, and the opening of China
and India to the fabrics of England and the Unit
ed States.
Prices in this country for the present crop, as
paid, have ranged from about eleven to thirteen
cents per pound, fuctuating in a measure accord
ing to the prices at Liverpool and Manchester
Alabama, it is supposed, will be again the cotton
"banner State" this year. Her bales, it will be
observed, average five hundred and fifty pounds; in
&c oreia four hundred. In that State full crop
of cotton it is said, has been made this year that
evil bring 81 100000 at present prices"
According to the census of 1850 the cotton
growing region produced "ginned cotton bales, of
four hundred pounds each, as follows: In Alabama
564 ,429; Georgia 499,Q91; Mississippi 4S4 ,292
South Carolina, 0,901 Tennessee, 1914 5: 2;
Louisiana 1887; North Carolina 10 ,S45; Arknn-
sas 65,344; Texas 5S,072; Florida 1871; Vir-
ginia 3,497; Kentucky 75s; making total of
400 ,079; and showing an increase in the product
of the cotton in this country in eight years of
about one million ofbales, now worth over $50 ,000
! 600. ALABAMA COTToN PLANTER.