Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1893-03-23
GOOD ADVICE TO FARMERS.
Senator George Speaks on Cotton Acre.
age Reduction He Shows C0nclu-
siTeIy the Folly Of Raising a Big
Crop Of Cotton.

resolution instructing its Committee on
Agriculture to make an investigation
with the view of ascertaining the cause
of the depress>,re in agricultural pro-
ducts existing a. that tirae. Senator
James q. George, of Mississippi, was made
chairman of the subcommittee to inves-
tigate cotton. Alfred B. Shepperson was
made secretary of Senator Georges COM
mittee. The scope of the investigation
is very broad and covers the matter of
the cotton production and consumption
of every country, with the cost Of pro-
ductIon, possibilities of extension Of cul-
ture, etc. The work of Senator Georges
committee will be completed by the next
meeting of Congress.
On account of the great interest of the
matter under consideration to the cotton
pickers and people of the South, in COM
pliance with request from Mr.. Patrick
Walsh, Senator George has prepared the
following for publication:
To the Cotton Farmers of the United
States: In discharge Of duty imposed
by the United States Senate on the Com
mittee on Agriculture, to investigate the
causes of the low price of cotton and the
remedy. l have made some investiga-
tions, which, though as yet incomplete,
authorize me to state the following con-
clusions:
There are causes for this low price
coming from legislation now in force;
and there are other causes coming from
needful legislation yet to be enacted. 1t
is certain, however, that these causes
cannot be remedied in time to affect the
price Of the crop now about to be planted,
even, indeed, if their force ever can be
entirely destroyed. The cotton farmers
must. therefore, for the present, resort
to such remedies or palliatives for low
prices as may come from their own
action, independent of legislation.
The last crop QS92-93) has brought
higher price than the preceding one.
This resulted from the fact that it was
much smaller. The price would have
been higher if there had not been large
surplus over the needs of consumption,
coming from the very large crop of the
preceding year QS9l-92)
The natural rise in the price of the
crop now being marketed has been largely
impedcd by the great strike among the
operatives in the cotton factories Of Eng
land. In this strike 10000 operatives,
working 81 ,000,0 spindles. have stopped
work The effect of this strike, up to
this date, has been to decrease the amount
consumed by British factories since Sep
tember l, 5000 bales, and the decrease
6 likely to amount, in the near future. to
more tnan 100000 bales in addition.
This decrease in the demand has, by a
certain law of trade, diminished the
price, or which is the same thing, pre-
vented the full rise, which would other
wise have come from the small crop.
American spinners carried over from last
season an unusually large stock of cot
ton. having bought heavily at the low
prices prevailing in the spring and sum-
mer, and whilst doing an exceptionally
good business. they have taken so far
3S5G, 900 bales less than for the same
period during the last season. This.
also, increased the surplus.
The prospect of another large crop
coming from increased acreage, if that
should happen, would not only be an
effcctual bar to any rise in the price, but
would cause a still further decline, so
that now the cotton raisers of the South
are confronted with this serious question
for solution: Shall we, by increased acre
age in the crop now being planted, as
compared to the acreage of the last sea-
son, raise crop of 100000 or 0,000. 900
bales, and thereby glut the markets of
the world, causing a fall to the low prices
of 1912, and perhaps even lower, CT
will we, by reducing the acreage to the
extent necessary to raise all our food and
forage crops. and work animals, espe-
cially our meat, corn, horses and mules.
increase the price of our cotton crop,
and. at the same time, diminish the uses
of the proceeds of the crop by a larger
reduction in the amount heretofore
applied to buy the necessary supplies?
There can be but one answer to this
question in the minds Of thoughtful men.
If it be said that among so numerous
class as cotton raisers it will be impossi-
bic to get up an agreement which will
result in combined action to plant a
reduced acreage in cotton. and if this be
conceded, then the situation appeals with
still stronger force to each individual
farmer to decrease his own crop to the
extent needful to raise his supplies, for,
in case there shall not be such diminu-
ton in the acreage as to affect materially
the price. so that the next crop is to be a
low-priced one. the advantage to him
who has wisely raised his own supplies
will be clear and manifest. He will not
nave 10 Duy HipH-pIlCcu supplies VIII
the scant proceeds of low-priced cotton.
These proceeds will then be in the main
a surplus, or nearly so.
On the other hand, if there shall be
such general movementin the direction
of raising a smaller crop as to raise the
price, then all who contribute to it, in
the manner herein indicated, will enjoy
the increased price as the result of their
own wise action, and at the same time DC !,
exempted from expenditure for supplies
which they have so raised.
After much reflection upon data col
lected from all countries adapted to rails
ing cotton. am satisfied of this painful
truth: That we are never, at least in this
generation, to have generally the high
prices for cotton we once had. Cotton
will never, but in exceptional cases and
for short periods, be high enough to war
rant the producer to rely upon it as a
means Of purchasing supplies, which can
be raised at home.
Very respectfully,
j. Il. GEORGE.
Mr.. Wanner Ore Hunting.