The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-10-07
The Cotton Crop.

AlIfeu ID. DHepptFsUn, dulnof OF
ssCotton Facts has furnished the
Southern Associated Press under
date of September 3oth, with the
following opinion as to this years.
cotton crop. Mr.. Shepperson Is
neither buyer nor seller of cot
ton, but possesses facilities for OBJ
tanning unusually good information
covering the entire cotton belt. lie
says:
ssWhile In many sections the cot
ton plant has matured SO large a
proportion of its fruitage that the
yield would not be appreciably
affected by delay of the frosts, there
is a great deal OF fertile bottom land
upon which the plant will continue
to make and mature fruit until
killed by severe frosts. No frosts
have yet occurred III the cotton belt.
Estimates at this time of the prob
able size of the cotton crop are
therefore necessarily based upon the
occurrence of general killing frosts
throughout hesSouth at about the
usual or average dates. Should
these frosts be delayed until later
than usual the crop will easily ex-
coed any present estimate by several
hundred thousand bales, while,
should frost occur earlier than usual
the crop will be far below the aver
age. The acreage is calculated by
the Department of Agriculture as
practically the same as last season.
The general conditions affecting the
crop have been unfavorable. A late
and cold spring, followed By a pro-
tracted drouth in Texas, are result
ing in poor stands, with consider
able replanting and some abandon
ment Of acreage. Excessive rain
and severe storms in the Atlantic
States, with drouth againln other
sections and serious damage by
worms in the Gulf States are the
features Of the season. These
things are not the usual indications
of a good crop.
.Asstlming that general killing
frosts will occur at about the usual
time my advices indicate a probable
yield of about 6,so0,oo0 bales.
Frosts last fall were earlier than for
several years and seriously curtailed
the crop. For several seasons large
quantities of cotton have been mar
keted with each crop which was
grown in preceding crops. This
old cotton has now been about all
marketed and it is probable that the
commercial crop of this year will not
differ appreciably from the actual
yield. | estimate the actual yield
of cotton last season at only 6, 400, :
600 bales. The difference less than
a year ago. The stock held by Eu-
ropean and American spinners is far
below last years while the consump-
ton in Europe is as great as at any
time last year, and many British
mills have made contracts for their
entire product for several months
ahead.
Owing to the financial troubles,
our.ow spinners are buying very
sparingly. European views of the
market are based upon an American
crop of seven and half millions or
more. The Liverpool price to-day
is l-2 pence for middling, being
one-fourth of penny higher than
this day last year. Liverpool mer-
chants of standing think that with
an American crop of Z, $50, 900 bales
cotton would easily be worth 8 pence
in that market. In this opinion one
of our oldest and most esteemed
cotton merchants conours; and | not
only agree with him, but think
the resulting speculative purchases
might easily carry the price a half
penny higher. In the matter of
cotton prices, New York follows
Liverpool and sets the gait for all
American markets.
Much interest is felt in the report
on the condition of the cotton crop
Oh Oct. l, to be issued by the De-
partment of Agriculture. While |
have not even an acquaintance with
the statistician who makes up the
report of the crop, / am satisfied
that the October report will show a
lower condition of the crop then any
October crop report since 1885,
Times-Democrat.
Taapfopot-E nvorpor Hhartoe Dor