New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-29
COTTON SUPPLY.

At a late Planters Convention In Mem
phis some interesting discussion and important
facts were elected upon the subject OF the
worlds supply of cotton 1t seems that there
are only very few countries which can pro-
duce cotton with fiber strong and long
enough for warp, and that Indian, Egyptian,
and South American cotton is used almost ex-
clusvely for filling, since it is short and rough,
something like wool. The immense demand
for cotton, even for filling, is to be gathered
from the fact that the English have constructed
in India, within 10 years, 3,943 miles of rail
way, mainly Trunk lines. while $3.50 miles are
in the process of construction, and this Is
mainly for the purpose OF developing the
cotton culture and getting the crop to market.
The production of India cotton In 1861 inc
most fruitful year, was 1,9fO,64S bales OF less
than $50 pounds each, and the yield was bale
for nine acres but in raising this product grain
crops were neglected, and it is said that over
million of souls persisted. Hence the culture has
been OH the decline. Egypt produced last
wear, for expectation to England, $4,000 bales,
while Turkey and Greece sent 1900 bales.
In 1864 the countries of the Levant commenced
growing cotton extensively, and even Zig ana
other fruit trees were cut down to obtain
suitable land, but now none is raised except
for domestic use. Brazil produced last year
1875 900 bales, and the increase for the year was
CT. 900 bales, while the whole crop from South
America and the West Indies was 253,5OO bales
1t is to be noted that the increase mentioned
is not equal to the deficiency in India. In all
these countries, with perhaps the exception OF
the West Indies, irrigation is an absolute
necessity in growing cotton, and this condition
of course limits the production and adds to the
cost. The general average yield of the coun-
tries named is perhaps ut the rate of one bale
of 500 ID to 7 acres, and, as before remarked,
the quality is inferior.
Maplfestly the cotton States of America ex-
eel all other countries for growing cotton, since
the yield is about bale to three acres, and
the influence of the Gulf Stream gives album
dant rain. The yield of these States this year
is reported at e,430,039 bales In 1890 the
Weld was 4,6G9,77O. Considerably more than
this is now produced in the whole world.
notable comparison is made, showing that more
cotton is sent from Memphis than from the
whole of South America. The price Of first
class cotton land, such as in the Yazoo country,
is from $40 to $40 an acre, with improvements,
while in Egypt, along the Nile, similar land,
but requiring irrigation, is sold from $50 to
$3.50 per acre, and this is limited to a narrow
strip on each side of the river.
As regards the probable future cotton crops
of the United States, it is not thought 10y the
committee of the Memphis Convention that
the yield under the present condition of labor
can ever much exceed 100000 of bales, for we
are told that the negro is devoting more of his
time to providing himself with greater variety
4 :. q. Lo,,n oil
homestead and some stock than to raise much
cotton. while the labor of the women which
formerly contributed at least 60 per cent, is
now almost wholly withdrawn. While the crop
is limited to the above figures, it is said that
tho cotton mills of the Old World and of the
New demand twice rs much, that is 100000
of bales, and no encouragement is held out for
reaching these figures without the aid of heavy
immigration. 1t is urged that the North ought
to combine with Enrope in promoting this
movement of population, for cheap cotton is n
universal need, and without it there is certain
to be great and general distress.
The existing distress IN the cOtton-working
districts of England adds to the present inl-
portance of n subject always considerable in
the worlds reckOnngs of comfort and pros
perity. What are the general and particular
causes of the Lancashire decline we shall soon
be able fully to judge and say. For
the present the admission of an influ-
entail part of the British press, that this
failure is due to the want of cotton created
by the increased manufacture and demand Of
this and other countries, seems to have weight
and meaning sufficient for American growers
and workers. The future of our cotton crop
appears to be safe. The negro is doing we'll
Whether cotton will ever be cheap again, or
indeed, whether it is desirable that it should
be, may well be questioned. The condition of
our finances is such that high wages must pre-
vail for several years; and it is not too much
to say that the controlling interests of this
country are so preponderating that wages, and
consequently prices, in Europe are to be more
and moro fixed by the standard here We
must control, in some small degree, that which
cannot avoid being tributary.
1t is suggested. and we think rather wisely
by the Washington correspondent of The Gin