The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-02-18
The Prospects of Cotton for 1859.

@he IIOspeCtS OF COttOn 180S.
The Charleston Kcrcmry publishes from the
Liverpool Post, the annual article of a cores
pondent of that journal upon the cotton pros.
poets of 1859. These articles are said to ema-
nate from one of the clearest and most saga
cous minds in England, and thoroughly con-
versant with the cotton trade. The writer af-
ter an elaborate consideration the subject.
comes to the conclusion, that the supply and
demand will be pretty equally balanced du-
ring the present year, and that consequently
there will be materia reduction in price
during the season. We propose to state his
conclusions.
The writer is disposed to regard all esti-
mates in relation to the amount Of the last
years crop as exceedingly fallacious. During
last September. few writers supposed that the
maximum yield Of the crop Of 1858 would ex.
ceed 8, 100000 bales, whilst il was supposed
that the destruction of cotton on the bottom
lands of the Mississippi. would retard the de.
livery of tho crop. These opinions have n II
been disappointed The estimates of the crop
have gradually been raised to 5000, 900, whilst
the arrivals at Liverpool have exceeded all ex-
Pectation. The writer does not undertake to
predict with certainly the course O the market
during the year, but merely to point out the
differences which are de'lucible from the cur
rent assumptions in regard to supply and de-
mand.
The first point considered is the amount and
distribution OF the American crop. Estma-
ting it at 3, ,6OO.00 bales, the writer supposcs
that the Northern spinners will consume TOO.
600 bales. Their average consumption for 3
opemcnt Of the China trade, they are now do
ing prosperous business, the above ls quite n
moderate estimate.
Deducting then 700, 900 balec for American
consumption from the assumed crop Of 2, 800
600, and there will re main for foreign export.
2,9M,Ooo bales. OF this the Continent will re.
quire about "a per cent. the remaining sc per
cent. going to England. During the past Year
the consumption on the Continent, amounted to
1920. 900 bales and this too when trade wns
lnnguishing and the manufacturing interests
very much cur,niled. During the present year
the writer thinks the Continental CONSUMPTION
will amount ! 200 900 bales Of American cot
ton; but owing to the large stocks on hand
he puts the Continental demand at ,0Oo, 900
bales direct from America, and 100, 900 in the
shape Of export from England.
There would then remain for shipment to
England 300 900 bales of Americ an cotton ::
and dcducting 100 900 bales to the Continent
and 10000 the assumed loss at sea, and there
would remain for home consumption in Et-
gland, l.7SO,OOO bales.
The supply of East India cotton. the writer
estimates Mt $4,000 bales. OF this the CONT
nent will consume 2sO, 900 bales, aud England
the remaining 800 900 bales. This with 40
600 bales from Brazil. and Egypt &C.. added
to the 100000 bales Of American cotton, will
give total of all sorts off 232 900 bales for
consumption IN Great Britain
The consumption in the United Kingdom in
1858, amounted to 1900 bales per week
against $4,000 in 1857, and $4,000 bales in
1856. The present rate Of consumption how
ever. is above the average oflast year. and the
writer thinks that the present rate Of consump-
tion for the whole Kingdom is 43. 900 bales per
week and that the average rate during the
year will be at least a, 900 bales
The total supply and consumption cf Great
Britain for 1857 will be az follows-Total sup
ply $500 900 bales-consumption for 81 weeks
at A 900 per week. 2,2ss 900 leaving an ex-
cess of supply over consumption. 80 900 bales,
which to the stock at the close of1s55, 372 900
bales. will give the probable stock at the close
of 1883. 404 900 bales
Though by this statement, it appears that
there would be an increase of the aggregate
stock at the close of 1859, yet the writer thinks
its value would be counterba anced by the re.
duction in the amount of American cotton, ow.
ing to its increased consumption from causes
which he details This consumption at $4,000
bales per week would reduce the 1890, 900
bales Of American cotton, to go, 900 at the
close of the year.
If however. the crop should not exceed 8 :
100000. and the consumption should reach
$4,000 bales per week, the supply would run
short. In the opinion therefore of the writer,
it is clearly the wisest policy of the manufac-
turer, to encourage for another season, q toler.
ably high rate for tn. raw material.
Our Flower Gardens.
We cOmnend IN tho Aft off our Jors