The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-06-23
THIS YEARS COTTON CROP.
Al lGstfniets OF It's Size From All the
States.

Latham, Alexander & Co., OF new
York, n of the leading cotton firms
in the United States, have made up
their estimates of the cotton acreage
of the present year. The reports come
down to June 4. These reports were
sent in by correspondents in different
sections-farmers, cotton commission
merchants, cotton brokers and others,
who may be presumed to be we'll in
formed, and their estimates cover
every cotton growing county in the
Southern State. From this estimate
the Columbia State collects the follow
ing interesting facts: From Alabama
271 replies were received. They
showed an average increase OF 5 per
cent, making this years acreage 3,
913, 600, as compared to 2,774,O 600 for
last year.
From Arkansas came 235 replies,
which shows an increase Of 3 per cent,
placing this years acreage at l, Cos, 900,
as compared to 1,574, 900 for 1896.
Florida, according to So replies, has
the same acreage as last ysar-252,O 600.
1t is learned from 4U5 replies re.
ceived from Georgia that this years
acreage is 4 per cent. larger than that
of 1896. being 3,476, 900 as compared
to 3,342, 900 for last year.
From 1876 replies received from Lou
isiana it appears thattherG has been an
increase of 8 per cent. in acreage, the
figures being 1.254, 900 for 1897, as
compared to 1,217, 900 for 1896.
Mississippi, according to 290 replies,
shows a falling off of 8 per cent. be.
cause of the floods, this years acreage
being 2,776, 600, as compared to 1884,
600 for last year.
North Carolina, as gathered from
225 replies, has increased Its acreage
/ per cent, this years planting be-
ing 1880, 900, as compared to LIZ. 600
for 1896.
From 2O9 replies received from
South Carolina it is learned that The
State has increased its acreage 5 per
cent, the number of acres this year
being 2,114, 900, as compared to 2,O13,'
900 for last year.
TENNESSEE, it is estimated from 1877
replies, has swelled its cotton acreage
8 per cent, planting 876, 900 this year
against $50, 900 for last.
Texas sends in 5O4 replies, from
which it is ascertained that this year's
acreage is 6,458, 900, an increase of 8
per cent, last years planting being
5, $50, 900 acres.
From various other States 80 replies
came, showing an increase of 10 per
cent, the acreage being $4,000 as
compared to 305, 900.
From 1905 replies it is estimated
that the total acreage for 1897 is 49,.
800. 900 as againet %, 341, 900 last year.
To these figures Messrs Latham,
Alexander & Co. add that the total
estimated increase of the cotton area
is $40, 900 acres, or A per cent larger
than the acreage of last year. The
average planting of the crop is about
three weeks later than last year. The
condition of the crop is less promising
than it has been at the same time in
many Texas being the Only
State where norml conditions have
generally prevailed. In the other cot
ton States there has been cool weather
and poor stands are reported. There
has been some damage from cut worms.
The overflow of a large area of the
most productive cotton lands in Ten.
nessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Lou
isiana will necessarily lessen the acre
age in those States. where planting
has necessarily been from i've to eight
weeks later than last year. A good
crop in the Mississippi valley may
now be regarded impossible-unless
almost phenominally favorable"
weather shall prevail from this time
forward.