The Russellville Democrat., 1893-04-27
REDUCING COTTON ACREAGE.

Never before in the history of cot ton growing in the South has such 8 strong effort been made to keep the coming crop within the bounds of consumption as isapparent this year. Progressive planters, mercE ants and bankers are all alive to the critical position in which the cotton growing industry now stands, and their en- deavors to make the situation clear to all planters cannot be too highly commended nor too earnestly sec- onded. In 1S91-92 the acreage plant ed was little, if any, more than the previous season, but the general conditions were so favorable that the yield, 209 5-8 pounds per acre, was unpre- ceder ted. The result was the enor- nous crop, which, with the surplus left over from the previous season, so far exceeded the consumption that the average price received was but 2 1-2 cents per pound, the low est since 1S45. The effect of this low price was to materially reduce the acreage planted for the present season, and the prospective crop has been still further curtailed by unfa- vorable weather, floods and insects until now it is generally conceded that it cannot much exceed 6,500, 900 bales, if it should even be that great. Against this small crop, as preventing the price from advancing to the point pre- viously held with like yields, there have been two important factors one the heavy stock left over from last year and the other the unex- pected and long continued strike of cotton operatives in the Lancashire district in England. These, with slow buying and low prices in the early part of the season have kept the price down, and unless there shall be material advance before next September the average will probably not exceed 9 IA cents.
 The question before the planters now is, simply, shall there be large yield and low prices or a small yield and high pricesG If the crop could be absolutely regulated in accordance with the acreage planted it might not be difficult matter to insure just about the quantity desired, but weather conditions are an all.im- portant factor which can neither be foretold nor avoided. Consequent ly, to be on the safe side, it will be necessary in estimating the requisite acreage to take into consideration the probable yield. The average for the past seventeen years has been TIT pounds, or .35 2-5 bale per acre. During that time the yield for four years exceeded POO pounds per acre {; for three years it was between 1S0 and 200 pounds for four years between TO and lS0 pounds for three years between 160 and ITO pounds, and for three years less than l60 pounds. It would seem, then, that TT pounds would be a fair average. On thisbas IS, GOO, 900 acres would give a crop of 6,372, 900 bales, but if the yield should be the same as in 1S90-91 the crop would be 7,560, ,000 bales, and if the yield were that of 1891 92 the crop would be 7,920,000 bales. The present crop is variously estimated as grown on from l6,000,000 to 1S,000,000 acres and if the latter figure is ac, cepted as more nearly correct it is evident that, in order to insure a crop of not over : 7,000,000 bales for the coming season, it will be desira- ble to make reduction of from 10 to l5 per cent. in the acreage planted this year. Without cooperation throughout the cotton belt it will be impossible to secure any general reduction in the acreage, as the tendency will be for each planter to expect his neighbor to plant less, while he will turn out tho same amount or possibly more in the hope of realizing a high price. Balti- more Manufacturers Record.