The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-11-30
THE EUROPEAN COTTON TRADE.

The annual review of the cotton trade
in Europe, prepared by Messrs. Ellison &
Co., of Liverpool, is generally accepted,
says the Herald, as the most trustworthy
source of information on this important
subject. The report for the season of
ls79-sO has just been given to the public.
1t shows that both in Great Britain and
on the continent the past year has been
one of unusual activity and prosperity
among cotton manufacturers, and that the
outlook for the future is bright and en-
couraging. In England the cotton in
dustry began to recover about year ago
from commercial depression which had
been general and long standing, and be-
fore the close of 1879 British cotton mer-
chants, spinners and manufacturers were,
according to the authority already cited,
ain the midst of a revival of trade 80
thorough and 80 extraordinary, that few
dared to hope for its continuance"
1t did continue, however, for many
months, and although there was falling
away of activity during the latter part of
the year the season on the whole was
very prosperous one for spinners and con-
sumers. In no recent year has so much
cotton been consumed in Great Britain as
during the season ending September 80,
1880. The total amount for the year was
3,35O,OOO bales of 400 pounds each, which
was more than 500, 900 bales greater than
the consumption of last year, and more
than 100000 bales greater than the con-
sumption of the preceding year. With
this increase Of consumption there has
been during the year just closed an addi-
ton of about 100000 new spindles (be-
sides renewals) to the capacity of the
mills.
The tide of prosperity did not rise nearly
80 high on the continent as in Great Brit
ain, owing mainly to the fact that CONT
mental mill owners are dependent chiefly
on their domestic markets, while British
manufacturers have the advantage of an
enormous export trade, particularly with
India and China. Nevertheless, the past
year has been more prosperous than the
preceding one on the continent excepting
in parts of France, Austria and Russia.
The continental consumption during the
year just closed was about 10000 bales
greater than it was last year. 1t has
steadily increased in recent years, advanc-
ing from 2,l8O,O0O bales in 1894 to
2,450,o0O in ls76-77 and 2,725,0oO in
I879-8O.
In making forecast for the coming
year, Messrs. Ellison & Co. say it is
"pretty certain that Europe will consume
more cotton in lssO-sl than was used in
ls79-sO. They estimate the total Euro
pean demand for the next year at $685.
600 bales of 400 pounds each, which is
about 900 bales more than was wanted
the past year. Of this amount 1856, 900
bales are expected from India, Egypt, Bra
iii, Peru and Turkey, being substantially
the same quantity received from these
countries the past year. This will leave
4,ss2, 900 bales to be supplied by America,
which is about $50, 700 bales greater than
the American supply during the year just
closed. 1t should be noted, however, that
the American bale is considerably heavier
than that which enters into the above re-
suits, the average weight of the former
being 4sl pounds for the crop Of the past
year. This, of course. would require o
reduction in the above figures If Ameri-
can instead Of foreign bales were spoken
Of The increase of the foreign demand
for our cotton is attended by growing
home demand, since the amount taken by
the mills Of this country il yearly becom-
ing greater. These facts open mp . bright
outlook for American cotton growing.