The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1895-02-23
TO THE CorrOs GROWERS.
State President Stone Addresses Them
Mest Timely Letter.
JACKSON. Mss. Feb. 10. 1895

SAChSoSs AlSS Feb. ~. 1899.
In submitting 10 the cotton growers
of Mississippi for agreement aud sig
nature the formula adopted at the re-
cent Cotton Growers Convention, held
In jackson, on behalf of the reduction
OF acreage for the eurreul year, beg
10 submit for consideration some facts
aud conditions seriously affecting US.
The general consensus Of oDinion Is
thai our present crop will DO little If
any short of 10 million bales. Ia con-
sequence Of this commercial couvic-
tiou our average grade OF cotton Is
now worth, net 10 the grower, four
cents or less per pound; $40 for a
five hundred bale of cotton.
The surplus Of last year, increased
by the ovcrplus of this crop, now be-
ing marketed, will guarantee less
price Tor our staple for 1896 than
now rules, If We give promise of any
thing like the acreage planted which
made this crop.
True, last season was most re-
markable one for eultiyating, fruitiug
and gathering. True again that ferti-
lizers were used to greater extent
than ever before. True that we may
not be so favored in the current year
or for many 10 come. Yet with i'm
proved labor and method II may occur
this season. Iu view OF this. as the
speedlest and most feasible method of
raising values to oil above the cost OF
production, II occurs 10 those best ad-
vised that the acreage should be re-
duced In that ratio, which will make
the supply for the future stand to the
demand as five cents 4 pound Is TO
eight cents pound. Hence, the con-
vention suggests reduction IN cotton
acreage TO sevcUiy-five per cent Of last
years planting.
Even niue million bale crop will
give Us three cent cotton this year
We must go below that. Our only
sure way is TO reduce acreage.
The cardinal idea of the convention
IN reduction Of acreage was that the
area thus left off should and would be
devoted to growing other crops oi
forage and provisions, which by rails.
Ing ourselves, instead of 81 heretofore
buying with borrowed money, would
cheaper tho cost OF cotton production
in the future. This we must do If we
would exist a. farmers.
II is not contemplated that any land
should lie waste or unproductive.
Il may be claimed that Mississippl
has more of homemade supplies than
for years. Grant II, yet she has moi
half enough for her whole people. A
few have enough. Thousands have
practically none, aud our cities and
towns are drawing on foreign markets
for articles which should be supplied
at home.
The evidences are that the merchant
will not demand all cotton this year
| for he as q rule Ia as bad off as thu
farmer. Thus less in cotton and more
In things that sustain life will give
ample employment of time aud labor
tend 10 better prices for our staple, al
less expense, and more of the domesti,
comforts, which are far greater thar
even money itself.
Frequent conventions have beer
held heretofore on this line, and have
been ridiculed for "resoluting aud go.
ing home to plant more cotton
Some have SO ridiculed the recent one
They are wide of the mark; for moi
only is the disease diagnosed and fully
stated aud universally appreciated
but remedy is offered and the mean,
of applying presented to every cotton
grower In the land. 1t Is with him ia
do as he will in the premises
| to-day send to the county presi-
denis plan ef organization, suggest.
ed by the convention, and blanks for
signatures Of such as will JON in the
effort to organize the cotton growers
on defensive line. The matter ID
too serious 10 be treated lightly.
There are somo who ridicule and de-
nouDce the idea OF over production
ascriblng our ills to vicious financial
legislation. With those we have no
quarrel. The common people of the
land cannot force change, though q
~hange might benefit US. We can
square our domestic affairs by beue.
ficent rule. Let US do 1t. The laws
of the land take best care of those
who take care OF themselves.
w w. STONE.