The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-03-22
COST or RAISING COTTON,
Mr. Jordan Gives Some Interesting
Figures in the Atlanta Journal.

the cost OF raising cotton we take from
the Atlanta Journal:
In recent report prepared and sub
mitted by the department Of agriculture
at Washington, careful estimates show
that in 1896 it cost s15. II to produce a
bale of upland cotton, on land produc-
ing an average of 225 pounds of lint per
acre. The price obtained was Ga cents
per pound. The cost Of picking was
ii cents per hundred, and the cost OF
producing the lint per pound 5.27 cents.
1t was also ascertalned that in Texas,
where irregation is being introduced in
the cultivation of the crop, on land ir-
rigated, 5l2 pounds Of lint per acre was
produced, or double the quantity made
on other lands. In the face of the
above statistics, which are doubtless
accurate, it is quite evident that the
cotton crop of 1898 was marketed at a
heavy loss to the producers. The al
most entire crop Of the past seasvn left
the farmers hands at a price less than
five cents. There has been but little
improvement made in growing cotton
within the past two years, hence the
cost of making a bale in 1898 was
doubtless as great as in 1896.
We are, however, gradually reducing
the cost Of producing pound of cotton
as tn, years roll round; for in 1876 sta
tistics show that the net cost Of mark
citing a pound Of lint cotton was S.32
cents in gold. The cost Of transporta-
tion has likewise fallen proportionate-
ly, In 1910, to ship bale Of cotton
to Liverpool cost the neat sum Of
S18. Is, while in 1897, it cost s7.S9 for
the same service. 1t may be well
enough for the farmers to know that
the price for our cotton, which is fixed
in Europe, is based upon the net lint.
Nothing is allowed for bagging and ties,
their weight of % pounds being deduct
ed is consequently dead loss to the
producer. There is also certain
amount taken off for wastage en- route,
and the farmer has to meet good
many little losses all along the line,
from the moment his bag of cotton
leaves the ginnery until it is landed in
Europe. It is very evident then, that
there is hardly q living profit in pro-
ducing less than : Of bale per acre.
Indeed, with Texas and Oklahoma rap
idlv going so largely into the cotton
business, developing successful sys-
tenn of irrigation by which bale per
acre can be averaged, we cannot expect
to make two thirds Of a bale per acre
profitable very long. Georgia is also
thelargest user of commercial fertilizers
of any state in the union for her cotton
industry, consuming "ne-fourth Of all
commercial fertilizers manufactured in
the United States, while Texas is one OF
the smallest. No farmer can disregard
these facts and figures, nor can he at
ford to fail 10 appreciate the bearing
they have upon his future interests.
We must of necessity begin some
practical system of rotating crops and
building up our land. That system
must be inaugurated upon the cheapest,
yet at the same time most durable and
profitable plan. Every farmer knows
that he should make his supplies at
home, and it is almost a waste Of words
to endeavor to more forcibly impress
that fact upon him. In raising those
supplies on his farm he has the double
advantage of introducing system by
which he may be able to grow cotton
cheaper, at a better profit, and build up
his depleted SOIL Any farmer to be
self sustaining nowadays must OF
necessity, to certain extent, restrict
acreage and adopt the intensive system.
When ten bales of cotton can be grown
on ten acres of land as an average crop.
then the extra expense involved in pro-
ducing the same number Of bales from
twenty acres as at present will be saved
as profit. The extra ten acres can
be sowed in grain or grasses, and the
saystem of rotation perfected. Necessi-
ty will force large number Of our peo-
pie to reduce cotton acreage IN the fu-
ture, others will reduce from the bet
ter reason Of adapting their business in
farming to meet the demands Of the
time. The day cannot be far distant
when other resources of our southern
country will be drawn upon and de.
veloped il upbuilding to higher de-
gree Of prosperity our agricultural IN
terests.
When the day Of extensive cotton
planting shall have passed, and it is al
most here, diversity of crop cultiva-
ton will be introduced. and the pro-
gressive era Of the country will have
dawned. Our farmers cannot be much
blamed for growing cotton so extensive
ly in past years. 1t is unquestionably
the most fascinating and easiest crop
ever planted and cultivated. It's the
only crop he can load on his wagons
and have the Dig cotton buyers running
after them to buy it, with check book
ready to plank down the cash. The
whole world wants it and it will sell in
any market. The world will continue
to want it, and the farmer must con-
tinue to supply the demand. What we
must determine now to do, IS to look
upon our cotton of the future solely for
the surplus money or profit crop. When
our acreage Of cotton is restricted by
confning its cultivation to better land
we will have more time to arrange for a
better living at home.
We can have more little side crops
which means more hogs, better COWS
and less supply bills in the stores. With
more stock in the barns. fed upon rich
grasses and clovers raised on the farm,
more attention will be given to the sav-
ing of barnyard manures. All OF which
means that our lanGs are to be more
rapidly built up to high and continu-
ed state of fertility. The farmer who
lives at home, that IS, raises all home
supplies, rotates his crops, grows grass
es and clovers enough for his own use,