Huntsville gazette., 1892-04-23
THE COTTON OUTLOOK.

Reports Received from All Parts of the
Southern States Concerning the Cotton
Acreage-A Reduction of at Least Sixteen
Per Cent.-Planting from One to Three
Weeks Late, Owing to the Wet and Cold
Weather.
ST. LOUIS, April 19,-The Globe-Demo-
crat prints the following synopsis of the
reports of it's correspondents in the cot
ton states in relation to the acreage for
the year, planting, etc:
On the I'D day of February was printed re-
ports from correspondents in the southern
states in regard to the probable decrease in cot
ton acreage this season. At that time nothing
more than an estimate could be made, but from
the information then obtainable from promi
nent planters it appeared to be certain that the
reduction in acreage as compared with last
year would be at least Is per cent, taking the
cotton territory as a whole. To-day again
print reports from our correspondents in
the south. April is the month for plant
ing and this work has far progressed that it
was found possible to ascertain the reduction in
acreage with some degree Of exactness. and the
reports show that the estimate of last February
was very nearly correct, there being differ
ence of per cent only between the estimates
based on the reports published herewith and
the estimates of two months ago, To-day's re-
ports come from many different points and
cover every cotton growing state of i'm
portance in the south. They were sent
in response to a circular dated April /, in
structing the correspondents to obtain from
planters such facts and figures as would enable
them to make reliable estimate of the acreage
in their respective territories as compared with
last year. Taking the returns for all the states
there seems to be no doubt that there will be an
average reduction of at least 16 per cent. This
is conservative estimate. In Texas the esti-
mates of decrease range all the way from to 40
per cent. In Hill county, however, there will
be an increase Of 10 per cent and small in
crease in the territory tributary to Houston
San Marcos district there is reduction
of 25 per cent. in old land, but sufficient
new land has been broken and planted
in cotton to offset this reduction. Jefferson re-
ports that the acreage will be about the same
as last year. In the country surrounding Abb
line the decrease in acreage, it is stated, will be
fully 40 per cent, and in the Honey Grove dis
trict 30 per cent. These are the extremes. The
average decrease for the state is 1923 per cent
In Arkansas the average decrease is larger-4
per cent. There are no reports Of increased
acreage, and but two-Little Rock and Forrest
City-which place the acreage the same as in
1891. Helena reports reduction OF 10
per cent. Fort Smith of 35 per cent, and
Malvern and Paragould Of 50per cent. In the
Pine Bluff district, probably the most impor-
tant in the state, the acreage has been reduced
25 per cent. In northwestern Mississippi there
will be no appreciable reduction, but in other
parts of the state the acreage will be reduced
from Is to 30 per cent. the average for the state
being IL per cent In Green county it is said to
be doubtful il single bale will be
raised. The reduction in acreage in Ala
bama and Georgia viii be less-not over
10 per cent. In Tennesses the acre
- ~ .x.C
Carolina there is reduction Of IS per cent.
North Carolina shows the largest average de-
crease-33l3 per cent.-and the correspondents 9
estimate IS confirmed by the commissioner of
agriculture of the state. The decrease in Louis
lana Is about Is per cent. Corn and small grain
in all the states will grow where the cotton
grew last year. Owing to the late spring plant
ting is from one to three weeks late, except in a
few specially favored sections.