The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-04
Cotton Acrenrc I'm 1sn5.

The question of acreage to be put into
cotton this year is one that is now re
ceivine a good deal of attention. ard
accompanying it the suicidal theory is
being advanced that, owing to the pre-
vailing low prices, the amount Of cotton
planted will be greater than heretofore
in order to make up in quantity what
is lost in price.
IT is of course impossible to arrive at
any accurate average cost Of producing
cotton in view of the widely differing
conditions prevailing in different parts
of the south, nevertheless it is hardly to
be disputed, that the cost in the Atlantic
States is over cents per pound. and in
Texas. Arkansas and the Mississippi bot
tom lands, probably not less than Al
cents, or an average of probably not less
than 81 to so cents at the plantations for
the whole country. With the quotation for
middling in Liverpool 3l-32d, or roughly
converted into American money 15-16
cents. in New York for immediate de-
livery 5as cents in New Orleans 3 cents
and in the interior towns from AZ 10 40
cents, it seems almost grotesgue that ar
guments 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 advantage of their
neighbors contribution to the pubic good.
but that any such policy should actuate
any grower Of the great staple. under
present circumstances, seems hardly capa-
BILE of belief.
1t is with great satisfaction to be OBJ
served that the president of the American
Cotton Growers Association is making a
t.,rrv 80 1,s.
securing a reduction in acreage of at least
% per cent, which is a move in the right
direction, and it is to be hoped that his
efforts win be crowned with success.
If, however, a large reduction in acre
age is to be made, the question arises.
into what shall the farmers of the south
put their land and out of what are they
TO derive a livelihood? Some of those who
still retain the feeling of responsibility to
those whom they employ, and who are
dependent upon them. are apt to indulge
the idea that work must be provided for
the dependent class, and as there is moth
ing else they can do but grow cotton. there
fore they must plant all they can, ire
spective of the price it brings
If the figures given as 10 the probable
cost of raising cotton are correct. and
which. even under the most favorable cir
cumstances of growth. show no profit
while, under less fortunate circumstances
show positive loss. il would seem a mart
of prudence and good judgment If the
whole cotton growing community should.
with one accord, reduce their acreage. NOT
% per cent, by 70 per cent, thereby Join
ing in an action TO their own best interest
and so reducing the supplies of the world
that 10 to II cents per pound I'm 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 album
dainty recompensed in the price for cot
ton to be subsequently obtained. The
south can well afford to do this. even at
the loss that might be entailed by the sup
port without labor, of those who are
dependent upon them II such an alterna-
tive were necessary, as the loss entafled
thereby would certainly be 10 greater than
that resulting from making cotton and
selling it at the prices ruling IN the world
a the present day.
The necessity for this severe contri-
button to the enhancement Of the price
of cotton is not. however. altogether APP
parent; for, while it is true that cotton
is the great crop of the SOUTH neverthe-
less. when prices have reached A leve.
such as the present, the adoption Of a
policy of practically growing only such
crops as are necessary 10 sustain life Is
certainly 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 10 support life
that might be grown with q net return
0 the planter al the end OF the year, fully
equal to the loss entailed by the support
OF those dependent upon him. It Is 10 BE-