The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-19
BALLOON SLEEVES DID IT.
They and shirt Waists Saved Sea
Island Cotton Men

Balloon sleeves and shirt waists proved
the salvation OF the sea island cotton
growers and manufacturers last season.
So Col. ". W. Gordon, who has just re-
turned from Europe, said yesterday. The
sea island crop last year was the largest
in the history Of the trade.
The quantity Of the lower grades OF sea
island was so great that those most eX-
perienced in the business could hardly be-
heve that a market could be found for the
cotton. It was this belief that caused the
unpreeendentedly low prices in the lower
grades Of the crop. 1t was at this juno
ture that fashion came 10 the rescue Or
the sea island cotton planter with her de-
cree In favor Of balloon sleeves. The man
ufacturers at home and abroad found u
use Tor the lower graues OF sea Islands IN
the production OF the materials which nave
proved SO popular with the ladies during
the last several months for the big sleeves
ana the waists which so with them. Coz.
Gordon was told this by several English
manufacturers.
The manufactures found sea island
cotton TO be just the thing in making
these goods" said Col. Gordon. Tine
greater part of the material which looks
SO much like silk in these big sleeves
ana waists is really sea island cotton;
Inc low price of sea Islands has the good
emect OF causing its use in many new
lines, and thus increasing the market
for 1t. 1t took the place of Egyptian
cotton TO large extent In many manu-
1actures. With the continuance of their
favor on the part of the ladies' and the
new avenues whlcn nave been opened
up 70 sea island cotton, We may hope for
much better prices for the lower grades
TINS year than last. The outlook is for
"A large crop of sea islands. The crop
has been damaged considerably by the
rains, but not so much as the upland
cotton. The prices for the finer grades
VIII rule about the same as last season,
but the lower grades Will, l am satisfied,
secure better prices"
Col. Gordon expresses a very hopeful
view of the business situation both at
the cotton market
Conditions are much improved, both
at nome and abroad, as compared with
year ago., he said. The English spin
ners are in much better condition now
than they were then, and are hopeful of
q stun greater Improvement in the trade.
The conditions surrounding the English
spinners for the last year have been Pc
culiar, and have placed them at a disad-
vantage, as compared with both the
american ana the continental spinners.
Both the American ana continental spin
ners are in splendid condition af-
ter a very successful year, and are able
TO take large stocks of cotton. 1t is their
good condition, rather than that of the
English spinners, which inclines me to
take very hopeful view of the situation.
Even at the same prices which prevailed
would be in much better con-
dition this year. because the closest
the crop and the cost to the farmer has
been less. With the much better prices
prevailing now the prospects for the
southern farmers are really very bright.
Neal OF New Orleans, upon whom the
English people chiefly rely for their sta
tistics has estimated the crop this year
at 100000 bales. The belief In New YORK
and throughout the south generally is
that the crop viii fall under 5000 600 bales,
and that ii will be 900 bales or less.
II this proves 10 be the case prices will
almost certainly advance. Cotton always
pohrs in rapidly, however, during Sep
TENDER and October. whether the crop is
large or small, and it win hardly be fore
seen before November if the crop Is 10
be small one The date Of the first frost
viii have considerable effect upon the
market"
Business generally in England is much
better now than it was a year ago. Capitas
Is finding more employment, and this
shows restored confidence. Speculative
circles In England are daft just now on
the subject of African gold mines. An
immense amount of money is being in
vested for the development of these prop
erues, and fortunes are being made by
promoters. The majority of investors will
have large stock of experience to show
for their