The Monticellonian., 1898-09-09
FARMERS REGISTERING.
R. c. Dun f Co.'S Annual Crop Report sss Arkansas shows Much Progress and
 Good Yields of All Products.

fotiOWing IS a general summary or R c. Dun 65 Co.'S annual crop report for the entire state of Arkansas. The report shows that, notwithstanding the low price of cotton, the farmers will find themselves in better circumstances this fall than for several years, due principally to diversified crops. In other words, the agriculturists are pro. ducing much that they have hereto fore purchased from foreign producers, thereby lessening their cash expenses, und leaving them with money with which to improve and increase the pro- auctions of their farms. Dun's report says:
 " Arkansas farmers are becoming more prosperous and independent every year. Crops, in general, have never been so diversified as at the present time, and while cotten is still the leading product, it is no longer the only one. More wheat has been raised and harvested than was ever known before in the his tory of the state, and the result, so far as yield is concerned, is most gratify ing; it is still a new crop with us, and farmers will yet handle it so that they will get greater results, and 1t will soon be one of the leading products of the state. Much attention has also been given by the farmers to cattle and hog raising, and the increase in this line over proceeding years is remarka- ble. The bountiful yield of corn this year has been the largest for many seasons We will also harvest large crop of hay, oats, potatoes, sorghum and other kindred crops, which will help materially to make the Arkansas farmer self-sustaining. It is, indeed, gratifying to notice the steady i'm provement that is being made all over the entire state. The demand for threshing machines in this section has been unprecedented; in addition to this, flour and grist mills are being erected everywhere, and the small farmers who own their own land are more indepen- dent than ever before-mortgage are being gradually wiped out, and there are now believed to be less farms under mortgage in this state than for many years previous, which is healthy show. ing, and the outlook for the great state of Arkansas is brighter than for many years past, and she is fast coming to the front Her statistics as an agricultural state is one that every citizen of this commonwealth should be proud of. One of her greatest wants is more railroads, especially in counties that have no rail road communication, which would make the wealth of crops, timber, coal, etc, more accessible to the markets.
 From information received the cotton yield in the hills CT Eplands will be larger than last year, though in some locali- ties it is reported that the crop has suf- fered some damage from excessive heat during the latter part of August; how ever, the indications are that the up- lands will raise full crop. In the bot toms, or lowlands, the reports are not so favorable, where there has been complaint of too much rain, making its growth rank and not well fruited, and in some localities some damage has been done by boil worms and sharp shooters" There is also complaint from the overfowed district, where the growth has been great and too rapid
 "The consensus of opinions are to the effect that in the low lands and bot toms the cotton crop will be g. per cent short. The average acreage in cotton is said to be from l2 per cent to II per cent less. Taking the state as whole, full average crop will be raised The crop is said to have been made cheaper than ever before. The market has not opened as strong as last year; Septem- Der 1, 1897, middling in New York was quoted at : 13-16c and on September 1, 1898, the New York quotation for mid ding was } 15-l6c These figures show a much lower price this year than at the same time last year in fact, the opening price this year is lower than it was in 1897 and 1896 during the same period. As compared with last year the price is two cents lower. The sur plus and visible stock on hand Septem- Der 1, 1898, is estimated at GOO, GOO bales and with this large surplus in sight and the new crop coming in, together with the depression existing among spinners, causes the market to be bear ish and the outlook for better prices is not encouraging.
 As rule merchants throughout'the state are in good shape; they have bought judiciously and many mer- chants have been doing, practically speaking, cash business. the credit business being confined to larger mer- chants The indications are that col lections will be good and merchants, as a rule, will meet their indebtedness promptly. The low-priced cotton will cause farmers to eeonomize more or less and the volume of business will depend to q considerable extent on the price the consumer realizes on his cot ton; however, as already stated, large crops, other than cotton, have been raised and these facts alone make the business outlook. to say the least, promising, and it is believed the mer chant will make more money during the coming year than he has for sev eral years past.
 Bold Assault.