The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-09-21
FARM NOTES.
Edited by John C. Edgar, Duval to whom all
communications for this column should be ad-
dressedl

merchant, financier and 1.-The public
generally" in the South, that the
farmer the foundation of society. II
is an old and accepted axiom that the
farmer t the world, and in the
capacity of worlds purveyor he is
credited in a vague sort of way as
being useful member of society. But
when bad season comes and wheat is
scarce and bread dear, the connection
between the producer and consumer
is more clearly defined, and the public
acquire for time an acute interest in
the farmers prosperity, or rather in
the dimensions of his crop.
So it is with the cotton farmer,
"only more So" He not only helps to
feed the world in the South, but he
clothes it. Upon the prosperity of the
cotton farmer depends that of nearly
every class in the South. This is fully
recognized today. AS the cotton
crop now being harvested is
the shortest per acre in
eleven years, and the price at opening
OF the season far below cost of pro-
duction, farmers have held their crop
for an advance and still hold it. This
is their privilege, but it has democrat
lied the calculations of those whose
commercial arrangements were made
on the basis of past experience. From
time beyond record the cotton crop
has been marketed mainly at time of
ginning, and with its sale money was
freely circulated and general prosper
ity reigned. Now, the wheels of COM
merce are turning slowly, and at every
turn grinding away the axles for lack
of a lubricant.
AS the farmer owns and holds the
most effective grade, those in charge
of the creaking commercial machine
are anxious that he should put it on
the market and relieve the strain be-
fore there is general breakdown.
wv
A few DAYS ago when in Austin
was repeatedly asked when farmers in
course, impossible for Inc to definitely
answer the question as every farmer has
his own idea as to the best time to sell,
and there will be no concerted action.
But have been at some trouble to
enquire into the expectations of farm
ers and find the large majority of those
interviewed are holding for 8 cents;
and when that figure is reached they
will ''let her CO." AS that figure was
topped on Saturday, those interested
in cotton may look for such flood on
the market this week, as will tax the
weighing and paying capacity of buy
ers.
AS have before remarked, am not
a reliable guide in the matter of sell
ing cotton, except as danger signal.
When sell it is a pretty safe rule for
Others Ito hold" as an advance always
follows my unloading. But as grow
cotton not entirely for my health or
amusement and can't afford to keep it
forever. / sometimes sell and have to
bear the Annoyance of seeing an i'm
mediate advance, and try to sooth my
feelings with the thought that some
other fellow will hit it right.
AS some of my friends may be an.
Xious to know what [ intend doing,
that they may shape their course in
the opposite direction, think
it my duty to inform them that
it is my intention to sell a portion of
my stock (for which l refused 0 cents
a year ago. at 8 cents, or as much more
as can get, on Monday or Tuesday,
Sept. 10 or 10. l give this timely
warning that l may be spared re-
proach in the future. I am impelled
to this action by the belief that the
enormous amount OF cotton that will
be marketed next week will be seized
by Liverpool and eastern spectators
as an evidence of large crop held by
farmers and be used as lever to re
duce prices. In addition to this vol
untary selling the first week in Oc-
tober will see much that is compul-
sorry. Farmers who have been run"
by the merchants and have given
notes for supplies during the past
year will find them fully matured on
October 1, and will be compelled to
realize the assets. According to pre-
cedent this large display of cotton will
bring and keep down prices for some
time, so that unless farmer is pre-
pared to hold till the next flood tide
he may find the present good time
to sell at least portion of his crop.
During my interviews with merchants
above referred to, l heard several
good men" express themselves bitter
ly against the farmer holding his cot
ton, when money was needed so badly
in circulation. Said one of them:
Farmers have no right to hold their
cotton for better price, when mer-
chants and everybody else is on the
verge of bankruptcy for want of ready
The merchant has plenty to
sell, but can't sell it for cash. The
farmer is the only one who has any
thing to sell that will fetch money,
and he ought to sell when he can get a
fair market price for his goods. That
Is what the merchant has to do. What
would the world think of merchants
If the y combined to hold their flour
till they could get $l.75 sack for it,
when it's market value is only 81, and
ots of people not able to get enough
at the lowest price. They havn't any
right to hold flour in this way, and no
more has the farmer to hold his cot
ton." Il need not repeat my remarks
in reply. He did not succeed in max
ug me convert by his reasoning, and
fear that he is still an unbeliever in
The doctrine | preached.
On the other hand 1 was