The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-12-09

In the season just ended American
and foreign spinners consumed about
s, $50, coo Gunnine) bales of American
cotton. Based upon the above condi
tions, an American crop Of at least
5000, 600 bales would be required Gl
present rate of European consumption
is maintained, in order to have the
stocks OF cotton in markets and mills
at the end of the season no less than
at its commencement. 1t NAV be well
to add that the stock in European
markets on October 1st was only G9l,
600 bales against ], 1,606, 900 the previous
year. Not only were the stocks at the
European ports less than at the begin
ming of any season since 1880, but the
stocks at the mills are estimated by
Mr.. Ellison, of fLiverpool, as only 3Ol, :
600 bales (of 500 pounds metz against
COZ, 600 last season.
Opinions dili'er generally in respect
TO the size of American cotton crop
now being marketed. 1t was grown
upon the acreage estimated by the De-
partment of Agriculture rs IL per cent.
more than the previous year. A much
larger quantity of fertilizers was nsed
than for any preceding season, the
fields we're we'll cultivated, and up TO
about July goth all the conditions were
favorable to very large crop. About
this time there came a period of un-
usually dry and hot weather, and the
long drouth injured the crop seriously
by causing the shedding of forms and
young bolls and arresting the growth
of the plants.
1t fastened the ripening of the bolls,
however, to such an extent that on Oc-
tober 2Oth the maturity of the crop
was undoubtedly an average OF rs
days in advance of the previous crop.
The reports of the department OF agri-
culture indicated decline in condi-
ton of 10 4 during the month OF July,
1879 during August and 35 during
September. The condition on July 1st
was called 90 5 (being the highest
since 1877 and on October 1st 1t was
called 6O.7, the loss of 31.S per cent.
in condition since the former date, be-
ing distributed as I have stated. AS
the weather was generally favorable
in September, with seasonable rains, l
think the promise of the crop was act
ually better Gnstead of worse) on DC.
tober 1st than on September 1st, and
that 81 s per cent. will prove to be
quite an exaggeration OF the injury
from the drouth ard heat in parts Of
July and August. 1t is well known
that there were no other serious causes
of damage as the effect of hot, dry
weather is to destroy caterpillars. The
department failed to issue on Novem:
Der 10th its usual estimate OF the yield
of cotton per see. but simply an'
nounced that it would probably be
somewhat larger than its October re-
port promised"
The departments October estimate
of condition, applied to its June esti-
mate of acreage, would indicate a crop
of only 1895, ,00U bales, but reliable
private advices point to very much
larger yield. Owing to the earliness
of the crop and the lateness of general
killing frosts (November 8th) very lit
tie cotton was cut off by frost. In
view of the increased acreage and the
favorable conditions for the growth
and maturity of the plant, with the ex-
ception of the drouth in portions OF
July and August, I think the crop
will be about s, 500, 900 bales, and the
receipts to this time are quite in con-
formity with this view. The new crop
grades we'll but its spinning quality is
inferior owing to irregularity of staple.
Should the revival of our business
activity not be checked by unwise leg
islation or by difficulties with foreign
countries, the very strong statistical
position of cotton should within a
short time attract such attention thata
higher range of prices could reasona-
bly, be expected for the remainder of
the season. Unlike the purely specu
lative advance of September and Octo.
Der, 1895, the advance would be
healthy and legitimate, for it would
rest upon a full demand coincident
with a comparatively small supply.
The revival of business would enable
the market for cotton goods and yarns
to respond to the improvement in the
raw material, thus insuring that sta
bility to prices which is alike for the
best interests of the planter and the
spinner. Higher prices, however,
should not induce an increase of our
acreage in cotton next spring, for had
the weather conditions been favorable
this year there is no doubt but that
the crop grown upon the present acre
age would have been more than ample
for all requirements and that much
lower prices would now prevail.
The following is an approximate
estimate OF the prouction of cotton in
the world in 1895 96, expressed in
bales of 500 pounds net:
United States. s.............. 6,7OO, 900
India. ia..................,.. 1900, 900
Egypt. 1000. 600
China, Corea, etc........... 1000, 900
Central Asia. 100000
Africa, except Egypt....... 100000
Turkey and Persia. ......... 10000
Brazil. l..................... 100000
Peru, etc. c.................. $4,000
Japan. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 60 900
$1,000
Greece. ................. 10000
Total. III, 95O, OUO
AIrDrr p SuCppEPSON