Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-09-14
rHr CoMINe COTTON CRoP.

THE COMING COTTON CROP.
The possible extent Of the cotton
crop of 1S71-72 now engrosses public
attention. Speculations are as vari-
Gus as the interests of the spectators,
but nearly all recognize the impOssi-
biIity of predicting with any approach
to certainty. The New York EcOno-
mist does not think it viii be bale
short of the crop Of 1901, just pub
Iished by the Commercial List at
4.347, OO6 bales, and by the Financial
| Chronicle at 4,352,317 bales. But a
number of Mobile cotton factors who
have been Intercepted, "concur
in the statement that accounts re-
ceived from their friends in Alabama
and Mississippi I Of the most I'M
favorable character. There is general
complaint of damage to the growing
crop from worms and rust. The crop
is variousIy estimated at from one
half to two-thirds Of that of last
year" This prediction is fortified by
the opinion OF the New Orleans Cot
ton Exchange, which gives the proba-
bic yield at three-quarters Of last
years growth. The Macon (Ga.)
Telegraph and Messenger says the plos-
pect was gloomy enough before the
storm, but it is very much more so
since; and the Galveston NeWS, Of
last Thursday, publishes that reports
from thirty-fve counties in Texas
promise only half a crop. In
Arkansas the decrease in average
is twenty to twenty-five per cent,
and the yield three-fourths to seven
Fights of last year. In Alabama the
decrease in average, including aban-
doned fields, is nearly twenty-one per
cent, and with a favorable fall, the
yield per acre is estimated at seventy
per cent. of last years crop. dispatch
published in the APPEAL of yester-
day, dated at Charleston on the 18th,
assures us that accounts ''trom all sec
tions of that State show that
the continuous rains for the past
week are very disastrous to the cotton
growing on the Sea Islands. The ex-
pected yield has been cut of by the
uufavorable weather at least one-half;
and nom the interior States the report
of the rust and shedding Of
fruit by the plant is universal"
A correspondent Of the APPEAL,
who recently travelled along the river
counties of Mississippi, from Vicks-
burg to Memphis, assures us that the
crop in all that region viii not
average more than from one-haf
to three-quarters of a bale to the acre.
This news of disaster, following
what we have already given
our readers, Is in direct conflict with
the big prediction Of the EconOmist,
as a basis for which it offers the fol-
{
A year ago the croakers pretended {
TO doubt whether there would be any
increase on the supply of the previous ]
and many questioned whether a I
crop of 100000 bales would be real
led. The Economist, however, esti-
mated an increase OF about 1900, 600
bales, and this anticipation has been
realized with remarkable accuracy.
Respecting the production of the
erop of 1901, now coming forward
TO market, the data are less reliable
and satisfactory than could be desired. a
We have had the usual alarmist ru- 2
nOrs, and an estimate by the Bureau :
IF agriculture of q very large falling I
III in the supply. But experience =
ihoWs that the estimates and returns Il
If that institution are not of the
lightest value. The facts SO far do {
lot point to any large increase on last '
year's supply, but neither do they Z
warrant any estimate of 8 decline,
We have nearly always reason to an
an increased supply Of the =
unless counteracting causes. /
UGH as injury to the crop by worms,
7 bad weather, interfere to prevent
t. During the year that has closed, a
We have had scarcely any authentic +
Iews OF extensive damage by cater
SO that the injuries are con-
ned to those caused by the weather. s.
the last couple of weeks, ase-
ere storm on the Southern coast has
doubt seriously interfered with the "
ackiDg, and injured the staple. We y
ave yet to hear, however, of the ac- =
1al damages sustained. Z
From the other parts OF the cotton
rea, we hear the usual iuctuating
In Mississippi, the crop is II
hid to be all that could be desired.
q Northern Georgia and Alabama Al
nd Western Texas, the drought has ~
sused extensive injuries. We hear 81
the de astations Of the army worm -;
Louisiana and other places. But il M
TO be noted that the injuries are tn
early always exaggerated, while the
.vorable news Is held back. In view !
all the drawbacks, we are scarcely
arranted in anticipating any consid- 3
able increase In last years supply, ~
1T neither is any falling of to be =
Oked for. An estimate of a supply ~
4,500,000 bales for the year lust 20
Immencing would be entirely within -
q bounds Of probability. 81
The Economist maypoSsi5Ey be right, thi
it we think it improbable, in view an
the facts stated by the local presses Oh G6a,,
the South. 3 u
The Little Rock G0zeRe of the 10th ey'