The Forrest City times., 1891-07-31
: 100 Doses One Dollar
POINTER FOR PLANTERS.
Cost of Producing Cotton Must Be
 Reduced.
From the Appeal -Avalanche.l

A few days ago the Appeal-Ava- views with local cotton brokers con- corning the outlook for cotton values during the coming season, and the con census of opinions was not at all pleas ing to those interested ill the produc- tion of the staple.
 Dr. D. T. Porter, one of the best all- thorities in this country, advanced the suggestion, ill view of the conditions that apparently are confronting the planters, that there should be an agree ment ainong them all to not pay more than fifty cents per hundred pounds for the picking of the crop this year. This suggestion has met the approval of more than one interested person. Col. J. w. Jefferson, in response to a request, has given an interview which lucidly and in detail presents the situa- tion and shows the necessity for adopt ing the suggestion of Dr. Porter, or some similar plan, Col. Jefferson says:
 ''lncluding wear and maintenance of farming implements, etc., forage for the work animals, planting seed, cost for labor to prepare, plant and culti- yate, to lay by one acre of cotton at least SS, and for two acres Sl6
 This assumes half a bale of lint cot ton from one acre, which is more than the general average. It requires (aver- age of crop years) about l,700 pounds .,R x,kt fR ,t -lln lint cotton bale, costing to pick out, at 75 cents per hundred, SIS.
 ''The interest paid merchant for ad : vances, farm managers salary and other necessary outlays will exceed Sl per bale. This makes the cost of one bale $50.
 Estimating the crop to grade from ordinary to good middiing. aud assunl- cluding the costs of marketing and sale of one bale, the net proceeds for the planter will not exceed S30.
 The value of the cotton seed will he about absorbed in the costs for wrap ping and ginning. There is nothing left out of the net proceeds for the land owners investment, nor to pay pre- vious balances due, taxes. costs of
 
 renter to pay rent with.
 Il am passing this answer strictly on cotton and the present prices. No other crops are considered. Of course should prlces enhace, as we all hope this basis will be improved. Should prices go lower the reverse will fellow.
 ''In our hill land cotton districts 35 cents to 30 cents is paid for picking per hundred pounds seed cotton. So it is i'll Texas and in the gulf and south eastern cotton belts, but i'll portion of our middle and upper Mississippi valley bottoms So, 75 and 80 cents is paid for picking, 7o cents being the ruling prlce. 1t is believed that it would inure to the permanent advant- age of all, both merchant, planter and picker, to fix the price for picking this crop at not exceeding 50 cents per hun dred.
 The disastrously low prices at pres ent, which are lower than for fifty years-with perhaps one or two doubt full exceptions the depressed pres- ent and future for cotton growing shows plainly that it cannot be success fully conducted. The cost of growing and marketing must be lessened or prices advanced. If neither occurs the lands for cotton growing will be practically worthless and lie out idle, and there will be no work for the laborer.
 1.-The customary pay for days la Dor in making crop is 7o cents, and work from sun up to sun down. about thirteen to fourteen hours. Cotton pickers go into the fields about 9 o'clock in the morning, when the sun has dried out the dew, and pick until about half an hour of sundown, about seven hours. The usnal picking by the hands varies from 100 to $50 pounds On an average of l50 pounds per day per man, at 50 cents, he will earn 75 cents, which he has obtained at easier labor and in half the time expended in June blowing. Taking in the whole situation, and the fact that the hands will have to be subsisted by the far mer, no matter what the results, and with uncertainty of value returned, it is believed that the merchants and fac tors. through their various exchanges, should by resolution advise all their farmer clients that they will not ad- vance for picking out this crop exceed ing 50 cents per hundred pounds seed cotton, or SS-D per bale. It is believed that this is the only way 1t will be ef- fectiv0, and that it will conduce to the advantage of all parties therein inter- ested,o
 Why 1t ls Popular.
 Because 1t has proven it's absolute merit |