The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-02-20
Cotton Acreage in 1895.
It Should be Reduced Seven
ty-ive Per Cent.

ton, and accompanying it the suici-
dal theory is being advanced that.
owing to the prevailing low prices,
the amount of cotton 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 acurate average cost Of pro-
ducing cotton. in view of the widely
differing conditions prevailing in
different parts of the South, never
theless it is hardly to be disputed,
that the cost in the Atlantic States is
over 6 cents per pound, and in
Texas, Arkansas, and the Mississippi
bottom lands, probably not less than
1 10 cents, or, an average of
probably not less than 5 IA to 5 l.2
cents at the plantations for the whole
country With the quotation for
Middling in Liverpool 2 3l-32a. or
roughly converted into American
money 5 1916 cents, in New York
for immediate delivery 3-8 cents, in
New Orleans cents, and in the
interior towns from 4 II to g. 3.4
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 advantage of their
neighbors' contribution to the public
good, but that any such policy
should actuate any grower of the
great staple, under present circum-
stances, seems hardly capable of be-
lief.
1t is with great satisfaction to be
observed that the President of the
American Cotton Growers Associa-
ton is making tour of the Cotton
States with a view of securing re-
duction in acreage of at least % per
cent, which is a movement in the
right direction, and it is to be hoped
that his efforts will be cowned with
success.
If, however, a large reduction in
acreage 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 of those
whom they employ, and who are de-
pendent upon them, are apt to indulge
the idea that work must be provided
fr~ the dependent class, and as there
/: othing else they can do but grow
cotton, therefore they must plant all
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 nc profit, while under
less fortunate circumstances, show a
positive loss, it would seem the part
of prudence and good judgment if
the whole cotton growing community
should, with one. accord, reduce
their acreage, not 25 per cent. but
rs nc cent. thereby Joining in an
ection to their own best interest and
SO reducing the supplies of the world
hat 10 to II cents per pound in
New York, for four years to come,
would be assured. By SO doing, the
single season of fallow land, if need
be, would be abundan:ly recompens-
ed in the price for cotton to be
subsequently, obtained. 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 dependent upon them if such an
alternative were necessary, as the
loss entailed thereby would certainly
DC no SlcdtcI Cudil tHat iCooltlHS .
from making cotton and selling it at
the prices ruling in the world at the
present day. The necessity for this
severe contribution to the enhance
ment Of the price Of cotton in the
future is rot, however, altogether
apparent tor. willie it is tue that
cotton is the great crop Of the South, /,
nevertheless, when prices have reach
ed level such as the present, the
adoption of policy Of practically
growing only such crops as are
necessary to sustain life is certainly
reasonable one aud 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 con-
tribute to support life that might be
grown with a net return to the
planter at the end cf the year fully
equal to the loss entailed by the
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