The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-11-13
INTERESTING COTTON FIGURES.
Statements. and Specu-
IatiOns Pertaining 10 the Old King
Prosperity for the South The
Growth OF Her manufactures.

Tho annual hook OF Latham, Alexander Il
Co, "CottOn Movements and Fluctuations,
contains, rs usual, some very valuable facts
and figures. The circular from the firm
printed in stereotype from an autograph let
Ter, is very interesting.
although in the main" says the circular
"CropS have been favorable, there have been
exceptions enough in certain sections to make
opinions vary greatly as to the out-turn OF tho
growing crop. The uncertainty on this point
has been heightened by the September report
Of the agricultural bureau, which was not SO
favorable as expected. IL made the general
average condition OF the crop Sj.6, against S3.S
in September, lSSS. The October report makes
it ST. against $50 in October, 1SSS. There is
therefore n falling Off of over 1.-Two per cent. in
the condition since laStmonth.
Taking the foregoing facts into consideration
and remembering how late much cotton was
planted, it seems improbable that the yield
Will much exceed that OF last year or the year
before.
This becomes matter for serious thought
when taken in connection with the statement
put forth by the foremost OF European all-
thoriticS that crop of ',lUO,NDO bales will be
needed to supply the wants of the world.
The crop is late, and however large ii ulti-
mateIy may be, receipts have so far not been
what could he called very heavy.
Besides beng retarded by the latencss OF the
season they have 1urther been affected by Il
disposition on the part Of producers TO hold
shipments back until the question of cotton
in place of jute-bagging had been settled.
Hence stocks of cotton are still light.
The comparative position Of cotton as 10
price and supply Is as follows:
lSSg. lSSS. lSS7.
Since Sept. ist' 9sl,lS6 7G,$5 1,lSI,70i
Sent. iSt...........,,. 52I,liS 3i8274 5l2,G,U
Stock in L. = ports 3fl.SlS I0392S 5l7,SSi
Stock in LIVERPOOL. $4,000 270Um 10000
Ailoat for Grit Brit
ain ...................... 2Ol,OOO l2O,Cw 23i,UOO
Total visible supply
US. and Europe l,;S9,W0 l,2O6,1N l,9lG,Olg
Mlddling uplands
in New York. lo}z gli.H -!
MiGdl!ng uplandS
in LivcrpOOl...... & Jis 5M
The stocl, in United States ports is I3USO
bales less ti!an last year. AM! li6,tG less than
in lSS1.
The demand for cotton Is good, and will be
larger when all The mills that have been forced
into short time by the action OF the Liverpool
corncrCrS begin to run full time again. This
they undoubtedly will do very soon, for trade
is good. In fact, many close observers assert
that demand for cotton has outStripped pro-
duction II is certain that at the close OF the
year just past the interior had been swept
clean of cotton, stocks at the United States
ports were very light,and spinners were hold
ing very little cotton at their mills.
The exceptionally high price FOR spot cotton
that ruled during the September corner has.
of course. not been maintained i'll October,
but prices are still high enough To give the
planter 4 substantial return for his labOr
Planters i'll many sections are sending their
cotton to mark ct III Il dclibSratc manner
\ systematic and abrupt holding back of
the crop is net conmcndablc, and such a
course Of action has not been adopted in the
South. Planters have, however, resolved not
10 rush their cotton to market, and II Is graft
fying to know that they are in position to
adopt their present policy without being dila-
tory In meeting their financial obligations
The fact is they have made their crops with
much lighter advances from factors and mcr-
chants than in any previous year. They have
also, throug hont q large extent of territory,
pursued Il system OF diversified farming; be-
sides cotton they have raised an abundance Of
corn and many other articles. They have
used less OF commercial fertilizers than for
mcry. The majority of them are, therefore,
in position to sell their cotton when and
where they please.
other changes have contributed TO bring
about the present prosperous condition OF the
South.
Manufacturing has progressed there rapidly
in the last few years, more rapidly than in
any other country, uot only in cotioE. but al
so in other trading lines. The development OF
the mineral riches of the South has been phc-
nomcnal. Transportation iaeilitieS have
steadily increased.
Crops in other countries arc rcnnrted fair,
but not beyond the average. lnita will GER
tainly not increase Ecr shipments 80 ono bales
this year. rs She did last year. lflt Tor that
great increase in shipments from India,
which served To partially III the void caused
by the scarcity of American cotton, prices OF
spot cotton would inevitably have gone even
higher than they went during the latter part
Of The year just past.
The dry goods trade is reported unusually
good for III" advanced Stage of the season. In
some lines of cotton goods large orders for Gll-
lure delivery l:lv" been placed with agents OF
American mills and importers, aul the mar
kct for staple goods is steady.