New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-15
COTTON-GROWERS MEET.
A BIG GATHERING OF PLANTERS IN
ATLANTA.
MOVEMENT TO CURTAn- PRODUCTION WE'LL
UNDER WATCHER REMEDIES SUGGESTED
TOR 1-1fp EVILS UNDER WHICH SOUTH
ERN FARMERS SUFFER-.

Under WATCHER REMEDIES SUGGESTED
FOR T4n EVILS UNDER WHICH SOUTH
ERN FARMERS SUFFER-.
rpv TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.l
Atlanta Ga Dec l4-Preparatory to the general
convention o. the American Cotton Growers Pro
tective Association. TO be held in Memphis next
Tuesday q convention OF cotton-growers from AL
parts OF Georgia, the Carolinas and Alabama met
IN the Atlanta Chamber OF Commerce han this
morning The present low price OF cotton has
caused great complaint throughout the South, DIT
when the farmers come TO think OF 1t they cannot
DENY that they are responsible for H. cotton
crop Of 1000 bales has absolutely no excuse FOR
being now with the large surplus ett from Iast
years crop It overloads the cotton market to an
extent which makes the present price all that cou'u
possibly be expected. If the cotton-growers OF
the South had been guided by experience they
Vould have curtailed their cotton acreage Tor
two years past Early In 1895, just after the oi'er
experience OF ive-cent cotton. caused oy 'he ul-
precedented crop Of the preceding year the COTTON
growers OF the South. following The reconmenda-
1tons Of their general association, reduced the
acreage nearly 20 per cent The result was more
thorough cultivation OF the cotton which was
planted a much better yield per acre ana the
largest production OF corn and meal the south nad
ever known.
Cotton in the fall and winter of 1925 went 10 nine
cents a pound in all Southern markets, and few
surplus Of meal and corn TO sell. They made
money both ends OF the string. But the very
next year the farmers almost without exception.
Increased their cotton acreage. raised less corn and
fewer hogs and found their condition decidedly
worse in the fall Cotton was tfan TWO
cents lower than It had been year before. and
they had 10 buy great quantities OF provisions on
credit which means exorbitant prices IN the agri-
cultural regions Of the South. Instead OF check
ing the tendency plant all cotton at the begin
ming Of this year. they went further on the road
TO trouble by planting more cotton than ever
Hence there is the biggest cotton crop on rec
ord and one that will nearer 100000 bales
than 100000 and the price to the producer is
about FIVE cents a pound logical result
The American Cotton Growers Association, whlc1
started and carried out the movement for reduced
cotton acreage In 1885, is endeavortns 70 avert once
more the folly OF overproiuction and the negleot
OF and meat production in the south me
pressive warning presented by present conditions
give force 10 this movement which Will proba-
bly, carry the South next year back TO an SWw
bale crop Of cotton and more hog and honiny
The Atlanta convention does not consider g re-
duct!on OF cotton acreage and increased attention
70 food crops sufficient remedy for the evils OF
which the farmers OF the South complain II VIII
adopt resolutions urging Southern senators and
Representatives 10 support the An;!-Opon bill now
being prepared by Representative Stokes OF south
Carolina The convention will also recommend the
immediate repeal Of the stringent len laws on
cotton crops which now In force In several
Southern States.
President Lane Of the American Cotton Growers
Association is here. He is greatly encouraged BY
the outlook, and says the Memphis convention Will
be the most representative meeting OF cotton
growers held and that It will bring about as
great a reduction OF cotton acreage and Oene-
fcial diversity Of crops effected In 1895.