The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-01-31

devoted to cotton has taken shape in 6
way that promises success. Heretofore
all efforts to induce the planters to vol
untary reduce the acreage have failet
but Just now all the conditions are favor
able. The low prices that have prevail
ed and that are now prevailing are calcu
lated to discourage the farmers of the
South with cotton planting, and those
who are at the head of the movement t
reduce the acreage are taking advantage
of that fact.
We are not among those who believe
| that a short crop this year will have the
effect of raising the prices above their pre-
sent level. but it may be the means of pre-
venting decline below q cents, and, in
these days, when we are enjoying the
| blessings of the British gold standard,
which cheapens American products for the
benefit of Europe, the farmers of the
South will win q great victory if, by
planting for short crop, they can pre-
vent the price from falling to cents q
pound
There is another advantage to be gained
by planting for a short crop. 1t can be
cultivated more economically, and, there
fore, more cheaply than full crop. In
other words, the farmers will have more
time to devote to the cultivation of crops
that they would otherwise have to buy.
They will have an opportunity to go more
deeply into the business of producing
their own upplies--raising hogs cows
and horses, making butter, reducing
their own bread and raising fruits and
vegetables for market.
In this way the farmer can make life
endurable even under the single gold
standard. They may be able to make
both ends meet, but, so long as Europe
is able to dictate our standard of value
and thereby cheaper our cotton, our wheat
oil fol lo pnnlitiaa IN hpf,
own advantage, just SO long will the far
mers of this country be tied to the condi-
tons that go with poverty. And not the
farmers alone, but all the people.
A reduced acreage in cotton may not
mean, after all, corresponding reduc-
ton in the volume of the crop. But it
does mean cheaper production. AS we
have said, it means larger opportunities
for the farmer to engage in raising his
own supplies of meat and bread, and it
will enable him to devote some attention
to the crops that are more profitable even
than cotton at cents pound.
Under all the circumstances, the move
ment to reduce the cotton acreage means
a great deal more to the farmers than it
does to the business men and merchants
of the South. If it should happen that
a short crop merely kept prices at their
,,-,r-e,l III wi+Lc'-ts o~'-ri',- thor1 n
rise-that is &c say. if short crop merely |
balanced II e Csu 8 of the increa ing value |
of money-the South would receive less |
cash next year than it has received this |
year.
This is worth considering rs one of the
results of the movement now under way. |
The prospects are that business men and
merchants of the South will have to 90
quite as far in adjusting their affairs
to Tie conditions brought about by the
single gold standard as the farmers pro-
pose to go. IN fine, as we see by the
deplorable condition of the treasury. the
whole country, TO use a homely phrase
will have to haul in its horns and lit itself
to the British standard.
AT the end of the present cotton year
we think it will be found that the farm
,rs of the South are in much better shape
han any other elements of our population.
If, by means of a short crop. they can
prevent the price of cotton from falling
below 4 1-2 cents pound they will have
accomplished more than any other class
If producers will be able to accomplish
lnder the single gold standard, which was
fastened on this country. first, that the
money power might have the value of its
,ash doubled. and. second, that the price
IF American cotton and wheat might be
lepreciated for the benefit of Europe.
Our hope is that u short crop may adj
vance me pLiNv IIi,4C, t-4Io 40 ~