The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-26
USE YOUR OWN JUDGMENT.
COMMISSIONER NEsBITT SPEAKS OF
HOLDING COTTON.

He Says the Crop Il BADLY Cut on
and Very Much Damaged. hut on
the Other Hand Mills Are shutting
Down and Money l. Hard 10 Get
He Would No More Pretend 10 Adj
wise Farmers Than lie would to
Go Security on the AmisbiIity Of
the Georgia Mule.
Atlanta. Ca. Aug. 25--Commissioner OF
Agriculture Nesbitt to-day gave the fol-
lowing 10 the Morning News on the cot
ton crop:
Looking over the cotton fields to-day.
one scarcely recognizes them as the same
which were a month ago laden with the
promise az an abundant crop. At that
time the plants were in luxuriant growth,
although the crop as a rule got a late
start in the spring. the following seasons
were very propitious. and thus the farm
ers had ample opportunity to accomplish
the first workings promptly. Therefore,
when the needed rains in June began
everything was favorable. and from that
time the crop continued to improve so
steadily that the prospect for heavy
yield was never more promising. on all
sides the eye was greeted by the glossy.
dark green OF the rapidly maturing
plants.
THE bottom crop was maturing and
the middle and top crops fast forming,
when the drouth Of July and August be-
gan. This has been so fierce and so long
continued that in many instances, partic-
ularly in the late planted cotton fields,
the ground is covered with the forms and
young bolls Of the middle and top crops.
and a large per cent. Of the more mature
bottom crop, which still clings to the
stalk. has been prematurely forced open
by the intense heat and dryness. The re-
suits are an inferior staple and stained
sample.
Under these conditions. which are not
confined to our own state but are even
itensifed in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama.
Louisiana and Arkansas the certainty OF
a short crop and consequent high prices
seem foregone conclusion, and many
farmers are considering the ACCESSIBILITY
Of holding cotton for better prices than
are now quoted.
ITO give positive advice on this question
IS as risky as predicting the weather or
standing security for the amiablity Of
the Georgia mule. Each farmer must be
guided by his own judgment and by the
circumstances which make his selling
at an early day important, or immaterial
to his business interests.
The visible supply OF cotton is very short
and the srop is certainly cut of at least
a third. II not more, but on the other
hand spinners are over crowded with
goods, many Of the mills have shut down
or are working on shorter time, added to
which the financial crisis renders all pre-
dictions as to the probable outcome ex-
tremely uncertain. Speculation also con-
trolls the market to a great extent"
The weekly crop bulletin OF the weather
bureau issued to-day summarizes the con-
ditions as follows:
THE past week up to Sunday was a re-
petition Of what we have been having for
the past month, hot and dry, and as
consequence all growing crops have suf-
fered, rendering the outlook more and
more gloomy TO the farmer.
Good seasonable showers occurred in
the northern and central section and be
came general yesterday. Rain is falling
in most sections to-day While the rains
have come too late to do any material
good to cotton and most of the corn crop.
vegetation generally VIII be greatly re-
vived
THE cotton crop will fall considerably
short Of the average. The drought has
caused It to shed rapidly and prematurely
the plant TO turn yellow and rust to
spread.
DRY and hot weather has continued
through the southern counties, most of
the week. Cotton has failed rapidly and
the crop will fan far short of an average.
1t is too far advanced to be improved by
rain. Long staple cotton has stood the
drought much better than short. Some
cotton on river land is fruiting nicely and
has stood the drought fairly we'll"