Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-02-20
Cotton Acreage in 1895.

attention, and accompanying IL
the suicidal theory is being ad-
vanced that, owing to the prevail
ing low prices, the amount of cot
ton planted will be greater than
heretofore in order to make up in
quantity what is lost in price.
1t is of course impossible to
arrive at any accurate average cost
of producing cotton in view of the
widely differing conditions prevail
ing in different parts of the South,
nevertheless it is hardly to be dis
puted, that the cost in the Atlantic
States is over cents per pound,
and in Texas, Arkansas, and the
Mississippi bottom lands, probably
not less than ~ cents, or, an average
of probably not less than 81 to 81
cents at the plantations for the
whole country. With the quotation
forsMiddling in Liverpool 2-33!d,
or roughly converted into American
money 5-15-16 cents, in New York
for immediate delivery Sc cents, in
New Orleans 5 cents, and in the
interior towns from A. to 44 cents,
it seems almost grotesque that
arguments should be put forth
that the South can afford to raise
cotton at the present prices.
Doubtless the theory that ones
neighbor will plant less may lead
some to conclude that by putting
in more they will reap the advan-
tage of their neignbor's contribu-
ton to the public good, but that
any such policy should actuate
any grower of the great staple,
under present circumstances, seems
hardly capable of belief
1t is with great satisfaction 10
be observed that the President OF
the American Cotton Growers
Assocition is making tour of the
Cotton States with view of secur-
ing a reduction in acrage OF at least
25%, which is a movement in the
right direction, and it is to be hop
ed that his efforts will be crown
ed with success.
IF, however, large reduction IN
is 70 he made. the question
arises, into what shall the farmers
of the South put their land, and
out of what are they to derive a
livlihood? Some of those who still
retain the feeling Of responsibility
to those whom they employ: and
who are dependant upon them, are
apt to indulge the idea that work
must be provided for the depen-
dant class, and as there is nothing
else they can do but grow cotton,
therefore they must plant ali they
can, irrespective of the price it
brings.
If the figures given as to the
probable cost of raising cotton are
correct, and which, even under the
most favorable circumstances of
growth show no proft,i while, nm
der less fortunate circumstances,
show a positive loss, itwould seem
the part of prudence and good
Judgment if the whole cotton grow
ing community should, with one
accord, reduce their acreage, not
25% but 1910, thereby joining in
an action to their best interest and
so reducing the supplies of the
world that 10 to II cents per pound
in New York, for four or five years
to come, would be assured. By SO
doing, the single season of fallow
land, if need be, would be abun-
dainty recompensed in the price
for cotton to be subsequently, OBJ
tanned. The South can we'll afford
to do this, even at the loss that
might be entailed by the support,
without labor, of those who are
dependant upon them if such an
were necessary, as the
loss entailed thereby would GER
tainly be no greater than that re-
sulting from making cotton and
selling it at the prices ruling in
the world at the present day. The
necessity for this severe contribu-
ton to the enhancement of the
price of cotton in the future is not,
however, altogether apparent; for,
while it is true that cotton is the
great crop of the South, neverthe-
less, when prices have reached
level such as the present, the adop-
ton of a policy of practically
growing only such crops as are
necessary to sustain life is certain
ly a reasonable one and the doing
Of which does not necessarily argue
that efforts in this direction must
be confined to corn and meat.
There are many other articles
which contribute to support life
that might be grown with a net re-
turn to the planter at the end of
the year fully equal to the loss en-
tailed by the support of those de-
pendent upon him. 1t is to be
hoped that this view of the case
may be impressed upon the agri-
cultural community of the South,
and that the preparations for the
next crop will be on very largely
reduced scale as compared with
that made within the past few
years; for, unless something ap-
proaching to this in its radical ma
ture is done, there is no reason to
expect that even present prices
will be maintained. Already, Llv-