The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-03-14
TO THE COTTON GROWERS.
A southerner on Change Appeals to tn
South to Think and Reason.

South to Think and Reason.
To the Editor of the State:
The cotton situation should at present
cause more thought and agitation than
anything else with the thinking people of
the South, and it does seem that with 80
many shrewd and progressive Southern
cotton, which can only be raised in ten
Southern States of the Union.
The Southern States should be able to
dictate, instead of having the price die
tated to them. Why will the South not
organize, and study more closely the law
of supply and demand? They should
command the situation and control their
most profitable staple. which affects their
welfare more than all political questions,
to the discussion Of which so much time
is given.
Which is more profitable, to raise
5000, 600 bales at IL cents, or 5000, 900 at 5
cents Some argue that the price of cot
ton must equal the cost of production.
This is misleading argument, because
even some of the Southern States possess
special advantages, 30 that while at q
certain price some communities would
get fair or small profit, the same price
would mean ruin to others. Some far
mers will say: "Well, make enough of
everything to do me and can afford to
plant the balance Of my land in cotton"
This extra planting is the cause OF the
low price. :.
The worst trouble in some sections, 1t
because If laborer can borrow, buy, beg
or rent q mule, he can easily rent the
land, and the merchant permits his lien
to be in proportion to the amount OF
land he has In cotton. Many farmers
promise to pay big prices for corn, pro-
visions and other necessities, expecting
an enormous crop Of cotton to pay for
everything. The big crop comes and
prices must necessarily be low. Then
the debts cannot be paid, and, of course,
general decentralization is the result.
Why cannot farmers organize some
plan which would permit only so many
acres to be planted in cotton for each
horse and then adhere to the rule Di-
versify the crop. Let every family raise
everything az home except what 1t wears.
There is.. no sense In the South buying
everything 1t uses, when 1t can be raised
in that section, which naturally should
be the most prosperous part Of the Union ;
but It seems to send North or West for
everything, because, in my opinion, 1t
simply desires to plant cotton. Many
farmers seem to know nothing else, and
care to learn nothing else.
If an organization could be formed
among Southern farmers to control the
planting of cotton, instead Of discussing
the silver bill and other political ques.
tions, IL to 15 cents per pound could
easily be obtained for cotton.
Cotton is very different from wheat,
In fhoe tho, loftor fa OrNHpu Qtt over
the world Supply and demand must
control prices. When it Is known how
rnany acres the South has planted in
cotton, spinners Immediately begin to
figure how low they can buy your cotton
next year. No doubt, Manchester spin
ners nave representatives in the South
now, figuring on how many acres you
will plant, and for how little they can
buy your cotton.
There is one point wish especially to
emphasize, and that Is the tendency Of
the South 70 send out false reports in
regard to the probable amount of cotton
they will raise. This works great injury
70 prices. Why? Experts go South, look
up the crop, estimate the acreage and the
amount you will make. These farmers
will say FIVE bales to the horse. The
experts, having taken in the situation,
know positively that seven bales of cot
ton will be made to the horse, or at least
q difference Of easily % per cent. The
reports Of the farmers, who estimate the
crop at only five bales to the horse, are
given to the government and many large
houses. who send them out. Then, the
South with this false idea, will imagine
will buy cotton. The experts give their
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