The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-05-12
A RISE IN COTTON

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RISE IN COTTON
There has been an advance in the
cotton market during the past week,
giving those who have "held for a
risen better chance to unload than
for the past two months. Whether
prices will be maintained or drop to
the old notch is more than deponent is
willing to prophesy. The condition
and prospect of the young crop is the
most potent factor in the case 1t
seems to me that if all goes along
favorably with the coming crop prices
will keep low, and that the only
chance of a substantial rise will be in
the event of a general disaster. 1t is
believed by some that the govern
ment monthly report to be issued on
the 10th, which. will show Tor state)
the reduced acreage of cotton this
year, will give an impulse to business.
1t may be that large reduction will
be reported and a temporary advance
in prices will follow; but believe that
while many old settled and prosper
GUS sections have made substantial
reduction, the greater proportion of
the cotton belt will keep up or increase
the acreage.
With favorable season there need
be no surprise if the market opens at
cents. AS on an average it costs
from to 10 cents per pound to pro-
duce cotton it does not need much cal
culation to see that the cotton
grower will not amass wealth very
rapidly under such conditions. I say
that the average cost of cotton is from
eight to ten cents, but. that is higher
than necessary. The cost can be re-
duced. My average is six and three
fourth cents and I have never been
able to reduce it to less than six. Jeff
Welborn who claims to be something
of cotton raiser says he can produce
it and put it into bale shape at two
cents per pound. This is startling
statement and hard to believe. 1t
may be that Jeff does not charge any
thing against the crop for rent or in
terest on land, does all the cultivation
and picking himself, and only pays
for little help in ginning, and does
not count his own service as worth
anything. Ii he and others engaged
on the crop receive fair pay for their
services and all charges are paid out
of two cents per pound, then Jeff
must possess some secret unknown to
the common herd, and the prospect of
five-cent cotton need not cast terror
into his soul. He argues that there
has been no overproduction and that
a reduction of acreage is not needed.
In effect he says that all that is re-
CURED is to plant his Pet cotton and
gather it with the Cunningham har-
vester, for which he seems to be gen
eral advertising agent, and riches will
follow.
The result will show which is the
true philosophy.
ROADS.
An effort is being made to have a
special department at the Worlds
Fair in the interests of public roads.
1t has occurred to some one that an
exhibition of road making machinery,
material and methods would be a use
full object lesson to the millions that
will visit the big show. The idea is a
good one. Road making and main
tanning, is subject on which the pub
lie need great deal of education. We
are sone times given to believe that
our roads, especially those we are
compelled to travel after heavy rain,
are the worst in the country. They
are bad enough in all conscience, but
no worse than those found in many
other states, where they have less ex-
cuse for their neglect.
If road department was organized
and everything connected with roads
grouped in one building, public atten-
ton would be arrested and interest ex-
cited that would work great benefit.
Not only should every kind of machine
and implement be exhibited, but every
kind of mattr rial adapted for
road making, Samples of the
roads made on different methods
and adapted to various soils, with
cross sections showing the form and
arrangement of materials would give
at a glance information that could not
be CLEANED from persuai of volumes
devoted to the subject.
The country is Weakening up to the
advantage ofimproved highways, and
the people only need to experience the
benefit of a sound, good road, which a
short time before had been a bog-hole,
to want them extended indefinitely.
Such is the feeling of all who travel
the Austin and Georgetown road. A
portion of it in the recent past, was
justly called "the bottomless pit"
The Travis county commissioners,
with good Judgment and commend
able enterprise, determined to test
their ability to construct macadamized
roads atthis point. They have built
about half mile Of road, much to the
satisfaction of travellers.
Some time ago I criticised the
method employed on this work and
pointed out some errors which requir-
ed correction. Too much material
was being used and the road bed was
not properly treated before the appli-