Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-04-05
SOMETHING OF COTTON.


ports in the country after the present
date last year were 5lOS26 bales; the
year before 5S7 ,223 bales, and in 1876
n, 553,522 bales. Taking last years
figures, the lowest of the foregoing, as
a basis for this seasons receipts be-
tween now and the close of August,
add it to receipts since September 1st,
and we have total of 5, ,023,2 ,2SS bales
as the receipts at all American sea-
ports for the present season. To ar
rive at an approximate estimate of the
whole crop for the current year,it will
be necessary to add the overland move
ment of shipments made direct to the
mills, and not touching at any seaport,
aplso the amount by southern
n lnills. The latter last year was $4,000
bales, and the former 437 ,842 bales, a
otal Of 6l9,842 bales. The actual
figures this year will be considerably
increased over the foregoing, but using
them as a basis of estimate for present
purposes, it will give us a crop of
about 5,650,000 bales, or nearly
100000 more than last years crop,
which was the heaviest on record, and
100000 bales above the present Eng
lish estimates. According to the
recent reports of the national cotton
exchange, northern mills took for
consumption during the first seven
months of this season, an average of
$4,000 bales weekly. England and
the continent of Europe took an av-
erage weekly list oil 100000 bales,
while the south consumes at
a low estimate 1000 bales, showing an
average weekly demand in Europe
and America of 10000 bales Of cot
ton, or $4,000 for the whole year,
provided the same demand continues
rs prevailed during the first seven
months. This is about ], 100000 bales
more than statisticians figured on last
year as the quantity dealt in by the
United States and Europe. The latest
reports, however, estimate the in
crease of demand in Europe at l6 per
cent and calculate an average Of 49,
900 bales per week as necessary to
satisfy the consumptive demand. This
demand, however, may not hold up
through the season, as for several
months past spinners have done an
enormous business, and the worlds
Nappetite for cotton goods may to some
jextent diminish. TO satisfy the de-
mand, however, for the estimates can
not be far out of the way, it will be
necessary for other countries than
America to supply 100000 bales, if
the same stock of say l ,O25,OOO bales
is to remain on hand in this country
and abroad at the opening of the next
crop season. The latest reports from
England give the expected stock on
hand in Europe at the close of the
season at 100000 bales more than last
year. 1t may be we'll to look about to
see where the excess, if any be re
ouired, is tocome from. India last
year sent to Europe something near
lO5O,OO0 bales of cotton, Egypt sent
say 7l2,O00 bales, Brazil 1877 800 bales,
and the West Indies 37,5OO bales, a
total of732,5OO bales less than the
g67O,0O0 bales alluded to as the prob
able ueed of Europe, after the Ameri-
can shipmentsare deducted, to prevent
a deficit, provided the figures here
given are worth anything, and it is
safe to say that they are rather inside
than they are over the mark. The
total of raw cotton produced in all the
countries of the world was last year,
as near as could be ascertained, IL, :
10000 bales, of which the United
States supplied almost one half. The
commercial part Of the crop, dealt in
or handled by Europe and America,
\ was about 7,1l2,5OO bales. of which
this country used 100000 bales
and Europe the remainder.
last year the average week
Iy coRsuaption of Europe was
lO7 ,3O7 bales, t5e United States 3d.
1872 bales, India 1873 bales, China
1907 bales, and other countries
about $4,000 bales, a total Ter the
world of about 2l5,O00 bales. The
consumption of cotton has been grad
ually increasing from year to year,
and the closest observers confidently
assert that there can be no over pro-
a auction in this country. No matter
how much may be planted, Eor how
heay Y the yield, there will be mar
ketab,., demand for it. -Four years
ago the outh consumed 10000 bales,
Last year it had increased to $4,000
bales, and it will exceed that this
year. The consumption Of northern
mills will alSo largely exceed the
quantity consumed last year, while
perhaps 5000 balc,S per week will be
added to the European consumption;
therefore American cotton planters