The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-31
a BUSINESS BAROMETER.
80, 10 the Condition Of Trade
Generally.
Irroy IS A DESIRABLE SURPLUS.
Acreage May Not Bc n Wise
Pol Policy Movement of "u''ne"
Last Year.

,een frequently observed In this
.uu some OF the most sensible and
.u.,, farmers and business men OF
acubt the wisdom of the move
:, FAR n continued reduction OF cotton
$50 IN Texas. They insist that there
u.nv things worse than surplus of
IAN and that for the Texas farmers
,,,n their attention TO other crops to
nsrlec, Of this staple. would be
.Ssl policy. Horace Pickett, n well
,rr statisticIan Of Central Texas. was
k.rtly Interview upon this subject by
WACO correspondent of the Dallas
:, He aisagreca with Nessrs. Hector
Is.e and r.. $. Peters on some points,
contends that surplus of grain is
~ than a surplus of cotton. Mr..
lett said:
vlth all due respect to those advocat-
systematic planting of less acres
AR most important product, and appre-
ing their sincere efforts to improve and
m the conditions of the producer.
IN The adyjsahillty of the Texas farm
,top,,ng their plans. I admit tho truth
nreh of their arguments. We all agree
snpply and demand IS the control
Influence of all commodities. whether
nn,duoe or manufactures; that surplus
sny article or product is strong
anon IN the hands of the INSCRIPTIONS
~ speeulatcr, who will use It TO de-
M thc maker or producer, and sys-
katlc and successful effort to produce
make only suffcicncy of everything,
o.,
consumption. would create the great
teratum OF all producers and manu-
urers Viz; strong demand and high
rs
Rut can such n result be obtained and
benefits accrue 10 the Texas farmer
niucIng the cotton acreage? Reducing
cotton acreage means increasing the
rage OF grain and other products, thus
atng another kind of surplus, which
greater and more expensive burden
the producer than the cotton surplus
ru is known TO the world as a cotton
he, It's soil and climate is especially
Ep,ed to the growth and cultivation of
ION, while all other crops are uncer-
n Texas is developing rapidly. increas-
m population tof which the farmer
neut preiomiuatcsl and in consequence
prciuctions OF all kinds are on the
reasc daily.
What shall the surplus be? Consider
that cotton is the Immediate money
~ u the State is always saleable, easily
b without loss or damage, most con
risn,ly handled and marketed. II would
IN 10 be the most desirable surplus 10
M
y Do not advocate neglcc,ing entirely
eher crops--the necessary products
" farm for home consumption--the
xtent farmer Will always have his
b cattle and work stock, and sufficient
tyender for their maintenance through
the year, bus the surplus Of his farm.
money crop of Texas, Is represented
cotton, whether II Is worth 4 cents or
cents per pound; 1t represents immedi-
cash. while Il surplus Of any other
carc. is a dead weight. Cotton is king
TEXAS and until conditions change.
ben the price declines below the cost
production. the nrccy staple viii con
fue to sdorn cur broad prairies with
pssoms blooms and hollis, while con-
liners throughout tho world viii study
growth and progress With that mimi
s It's Importance deserves, and the
the dealci, or surplus In yield
Cotton is the staple product OF Texas,
here 1t is produced AT far less cost than
any other STATE Of the Union, and II
Fald seem as reasonable to suggest a
aatton of grain acreage in Kansas and
pbraska, oranges In Florida or the out
u Of gold and silver ore from the noun
ms Of Colorado TO stop a dreaded sur
Us, as for the Texas farmer To cut of
7 Wanting cotton. do not assume ia
BOW the most successful methods Of
fmlng, nor do ! feel competent to al
the farmer as TO his disposition Of
Kind Of surplus product, but my oh
!ysuon aud experience the past season
ldences the fact that the surplus OF corn
small grain has been an expensive
men to the producers. which they would
llhyly exchange fer the same results of
elr labor In cotton at even cents q
fgnd
There is no accession for alarm. how
~ over any kind of surplus, which Is
evidence o. prosperity bestowed upor
w sounteous nature: such matters vii
{Nus' themselves. as the enormous yiclc
eorn last season suggests TO the farmoi
necessity Of more bacon and lard OF
sme production. SO The continued surplus
ee'ton Will encourage and foster the
4uaihg OF factories In our midst for i,s
Presumption