The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-02-09
COTTON ACREAGE 1898.

ther argument on this subject, but are
shaping their plans to plant fully as
much, if not more, than the year pre-
vious. The associations attempted to
be organized where this and other
kindred subjects can be intelligently
discussed are not attended, while load
after load of fertilizers are being
hauled out, and all the plans for a
large crop are being energetically car
ried out. But there are thinking men
in the Eastern States as we'll as in the
cotton producing States who see the
disasters awaiting our people should
this 100000 bales crop continue,
and are modestly sounding note of
warning. Several weeks ago we pub
lished very exhaustive letter from
Latham, Alexander & Co., Of New
York, on this subject, and We now in
vite your attention to the following
extracts from letter on this subject
written by R. R. Doncy & Co., Hcus-
ton, Texas, and published in the Gal
weston Neacs January 18th last:
''The planters must diversity their
crops and plant less cotton or our beantl-
full land, with the most productive soil on
earth, will produce pauperism, want and
misery to those who have the power in
their own hands to mould their destiny,
''They claim unless the tenant and av-
erage farmer will agree 10 plant certain
quantity of cotton acreage the merchants
cannot and will not supply his wants.
We have seen considerable of Texas life,
and state, without hesitation, that the av-
erage Texas farmer lives poorer than any
other. The land he tills will produce
equal to any in the world, and if thrifty
he could within short time make HIM
self altogether independent OF the mer-
chant. Instead of contracting debts, he
would have money to spend with his
son most plantations the luxury of the
garden is ignored. Luxuriant grasses,
ready for hay, about the time cotton pick
ing commences, are neglected, allowed to
waste, instead Of housing, because all
time and labor must be given to cotton.
On tbs opening of Spring he must buy
provender for his working animals.
Those things which country man in Eu-
rope or the Eastern States OF our land
would consider neoessaries of life and
health are neglected-certainly not from
ignorance, for you seldom see a grown
man or woman that cannot read and
write.
"Note the following facts and ponder
over them:
''The Planter has not raised the corn or
wheat to provide his own house with
bread.
"He has not raised the horses or mules
required to keep up his own farm.
HE has not raised the COWS and hogs
to supply milk, butter and meat for his
own table use.
''He has not raised tobacco, potatoes,
peanuts, or sugar cane or sorghum to
make sugar and syrup for homo con-
sumption.
'sRe has not raised even few chickens
and turkeys to have eggs, and on some
special occasion good fowl for dinner.
.'He has not raised any of the many
getables-cabbage, turnips, lettuce, to-
matoes, cucumbers, squash, ETC., so nu-
tritious and easily cultivated in this eli
mate and soil.
HE has not raised any melons, but
knows the luxury of one On hot day,
taken from well or spring, upon coming
from hard work in cultIvating the one
and all important cotton crop.
SsGo hoo ro0f r1icod QnU Qnnloq nnQra
peaches, plums, apricots, figs or grapes
any of these he could raise, if he would
"But, the head of the farm by prefer
ence takes his team, drives to town and
buys from his merchant all the various
necessaries-also butter, cheese, lard, cof-
fee, tobacco, eggs. peanuts, sugar, cab
bage, turnips, melons, candy, q jug Of
syrup, sack of corn and bale OF hay
his merchant has not in stock,
he must do without, or the merchant
must send out and get it for him. Still,
he seems blind to his own welfare and
continues to plant cotton, let the price be
what it may.
America produces about three-fourths
of all the cotton grown in the world and
no other country can take precedence.
The very low prices existing now for cot
ton arc not Especial benefit to any one.
On account of reproduction the plant
or must sell his product at price below
its cost to produce. The merchant must
take it in payment OF the planters ac-
count and do his utmost to clear himself
an close margin, if at all. The buyer
must seek the world by cables and tele-
graphs, meeting mpetition tor any out
let for it, often simply swapping dollars
to make sales and relieving himself and
bankers of the load.
.'rhe manufacturer, learning from ex-
perience, buys close and is willing some
one else should carry the cotton. Since il
saves interest and risk, and becausethe
contracts be can make for his goods ara
scaled to the closest point, and his capi
tai is necessarily employed in the manu-
tacture Of goods be must carry, because
of the over-prOductiOn. Hence, the enOr-
nous crop, besides entailing heavy losses
to the farmers, is disadvantage, and the
entire responsibility lies with the farmer.
The balance Of the power is his. 10 sue
cess or ruin all must follow him.
'With such experience and actual
facts the planter should be wiling to call
a halt, use some judgment, diversity his
and next Fall the result will
already begin to show such wave Of
for this land OF the South. that
every man reducing his acreage in cotton
% per cent, or more, would feel that he
had been instrumental. in part, in bring
ing it about; that it was the turning point
Of success in his farming life and be had
lived to learn and be- convinced that
was better than all cotton"
In our issue of January 26th the
letter of Latham, Alexander 4 Co.
will be found with the statistical
facts showing the harmful results Of
over-production.