Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1897-09-09

The Crop for the Present
Season Is Estimated
to be Greater Than Pre-
viOus Years.

Last week the official figures
4 showing the cotton crop OF
the season 1862 were made
public by Mr.. Henry G. Hester,
Secretary of the Cotton Tx.
change. This prompt publica-
ton of the crop figures but a
few hours after the season
closed - a statistical feat
which Secretary Hester has
successfully performed for
number Of years, and, as 1t is
unique in the annals of crop re.
porting as well as of the greatest
practical value to the cotton
trade, he has won much distinc-
ton in consequence.
According to Secretary Hes
ter, the cotton crop of the past
season was S,7j7.964 bales, as
compared with 1858 bales
the preceding year and 9,96l,-
2jl bales in lS9I-95, The ac.
tual crop figures was surprise
to the trade, as it was nearly
100000 bales CRATER than had
been expected. This excess in
the crop over expectations was
due to the fact that the con-
sumption of cotton by South
ern mills was greater than any
body had expected. Southern
mills took 1,0iI,67l bales dur
ing the past year, as compared
with 90I,7Ol bales last year.
Southern mills have, therefore,
increased their takings during
the past year to the extent of
l3S, 900 bales.
For the first time on record
the Southern consumption of
raw cotton has passed the mil
miOn bale mark, and this, two,
In the face of general dullness
in trade and depression in the
cotton goods market which was
felt all over the country. 1t is
safe to say, as Mr.. Hester main
tains In his report, that the de-
preston prevailed undOubted-
ly curtailed the consumption of
Southern mills to the extent of
100000 bales.
This increase in SOuth's con-
sumption of cotton is the most
interesting as well as the most
important feature of Mr.. Hes
ter's report. Many people had
feared that The general depres-
sion prevailing in business
would check the steady increase
in cotton consumption which
has been shown BY the South
for years past; but these fears
have proven unfOunded, and it
has been demonstrated con-
clusively that the cotton indus
try is steady drifting south.
ward. During the past season
the Northern mills took 1904
$50 bales. Although this shows
a moderate increase over the
preceding year, it is greatly be.
hind the sea son of lS94-9j;
whereas the Southern consump.
ton has increased 100, 900 bales
in round figures compared with
that year,
The figures speak very elO-
quently of the gradual removal
of the cotton goods industry
from New England to the South
ern cotton fields. The control
OF cotton manufacturing by the
South is inevitable. In this day
of kee N competition the extra
cost of transportation involved
in the freighting of cotton from
the fields to the distant New
England mills is an important
item in the cost of manufactur.
ing cloth; hence the mills are
being moved to localities where
they can secure an adequate
supply direct from the primary
markets or from the fields
themselves. Northern mills
no longer make a pretense OF
competing with Southern es-
adjustments IN certain lines OF
goods, and it is now realized
that eventually all styles OF
goods will be made in this Sec
ton Of the country-N. U. Pic.
ayune.