The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-07
0oTToN CROP ENORMOUS.
The Price II Up to seven Cents and willis Closed
TOR Lack OF Raw Material.

ATLANTA, Ca, Aug. 6.-Tho prospects are
bright for the largest cotton crop that has been
raised In the history of the South. A larger
acreage has been planted than heretofore. and
the conditions have boon exceedingly favorable.
Recent reports from all parts of tho South say
that the farmers have forsaken other crops and
are relying in some localities almost entirely on
the years yield In cotton.
In the Mississippi Valley the recent floods had
q tendency to increase tho fertility Of the soil,
and In those places where the water went down
soon enough to plant tho crop the farmers will
gather q third moro to the acre.
In Georgia the farmers have not keeded tho
words Of the restriction agent and tho reports
show moro Of tho soil Of this State to DO covered
with cotton than ever before. This year It is
said that the farmers have only planted enough
Of other crops for home consumption. They arc
now much encouraged by the outlook of the
market and will send in their bales az soon as
the crop 10 picked.
None Of the raw material is now on hand for
present consumption, and many Of the mills in
the South and the East have been compelled to
shut down for the lack Of the raw product.
Some Of the mills in North Carolina have re-
Gently boon forced to apply to Eastern markets
for enough cotton to all the orders they have on
hand. This caused the market TO have an up
ward tendency. and 1t now stands at z cents.
Col. r. +. Maddox, who Is closely identified
with the cotton interests Of the South and is
conversant with tho existing conditions of tho
crop, speaks of q large crop.
From what I can learn" he said to-day, "the
farmers have planted moro cotton seed and tho
conditions Of the weather have been favorable
for the growth and maturity Of the largest crop
in tho history OF the world for the South.
Tho first bale has been sold, / believe, in Savan-
nah, but not in Atlanta. The cause of this is
that We had a late spring. and the farmers wero
probably we will receive our first bale. and they
will arrive rapidly thereafter.
The acreage In Georgia was very large. The
farmers know that cotton Is the greatest paying
crop in this State, and they act accordingly.
When a good cotton year comes along, like the
two years on any other crop. Much fertilizer
has been used, and this has very much helped to
mature an earlier crop.
THE entire South Is in about the same condi.
ton as Georgia. and the entire yield in other
States will be greater than heretofore. There Ia
just happened SO. The farmers want money,
and they think this ia the best way to get It.
They have learned that cotton will net moro to
the acre in this part OF the country than any
other thing they can plant, and with caro- 1t will
always yield we'll. provided It is a good season.
and 1t is in demand. The mills generally are
well supplied, the Eastern factories better thar
the Southern ones. understand that the raw
cotton has been brought from the East to sup
ply some of our Southern mills. believe thai
eventually tho mills OF the East will DO brough,
lieve that the price will reach 10 cents THU
year."