The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-10-24
SHRINK AGE or THE CROP.
Thc Yield OF Cotton This Year i
Placed at Six Million Bales.

l'taccu at six million Bales.
The Atlanta Constitution says that
Commissioner X. II. Ncsbtt has receiv-
cd an interesting statement from Com
missioner Rose, Of Texas, who places
the cotton crop at 5000, 900 bales and
estimates that only half u crop will be
gathered in Texas.
In the letter the farmers of the South
are advised TO hold their cotton lust as
lOag ns it is possible for them to do. as
the writer believes that a. price above
ton cents will be reached in the early
spring. The REASONS given for this
shrinkagc Of the crop in Texas is at
trlbutcd to the general decrease in
acreage, the work Of the boil worm and
the effect OF the leaf worms. Instead
Of 5000, 900 bales, as in 1894, only about
half that number is expected this year.
The following is the statement re-
coived by commissioner Nosbitt:
"Otlico Of Commissioner Of Agricul-
turc, Statistics, Etc. Austin. Tex, Oc-
tohcr ), lS95.-On August3ls st last this
department gave to the press Informal
tion showing that the decrease in the
acreage OF cotton planted this year in
Texas justified the belief that tho pres
ont crop would bo at least 81 per cent.
below that Of 1894, and probably great
cr. then entertained the opinion that
unless u decided change for the better
in season and conditions should speedily
ensuc the reduction Of the crop would
be materially increased.
Since that time Il radical change
has occurred: but one that instead of
improving the prospect rs to prOduc-
tiOn has greatly diminished it, and it
is now evident that the cotton crop Of
1890 will be decreased to a much great
er degree than my apprehension then
presaged. The continual drought from
middle Texas to the coast and the raw
ages Of the boil and loaf worms in the
northern portions Of the State have so
seriously arrested tho development and
reduced the fruitage Of the plant that
am now compelled to believe and feel
it my duty to say that the present crop
of Texas will not exceed 80 per cent Of
that of last year, or total production
of about one and q half million l,50O.-
0O0) bales and | seriously doubt that it
will roach that amount.
Under this condition | most earn.
cstly advise the farmers to market their
cotton slowly, which, in my Judgment,
is always tho safest plan. If, as is re-
ported, the crop OF 1894 is exhausted,
there is no reason why this one should
not command and realize more than
ten conts a. pound by the first day of
January next. Noarly all Of the cotton
has already opened and from tho mid
lle OF the State sOuthward will soon be
Ill gathered. When the present rise
IN price reached the eight cent mark
many Of our farmers made a great rush
20 market their cotton. and spectators
nave taken advantage of this and are
to use this increased
of cotton thrown suddenly upon
The market AZ proof Of an increase of
production beyond what has boon sup
POSED, and the eagernoss of the, farm!
srs 70 sell ut 8 cents as calisc and
'eason for reducing the price. y.
My present estimate is based upon
lumerous' reports mado by practical |
farmers in response to, inquiries sent
)ut by this department, and these re-
)orts fairly represent all sections OF ,
his State. being we'll distributed from
Red river to tho coast and from Sabine |
% the extreme cotton growing counties
IN the west. They present fairly and
Hell the true condition and from nv
'~n observation and from personal in.
erviows with citizens and farmers |
Turing q recent journey through con-
adorable portion OF the State am
to fully agree with them.
In conclusion | desire to say from