The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-26
SOUTHERN MILL EXPANSION.
The increase In Looms and Spindles Since
Last Year Largely in the Southern states.

Last Year Largely In the Southern states.
The cotton crop of ls0S-1S99 breaks all pre-
vious records in The United States not only cross
Ing the II, 900 600 bales line, but exceeding the
crop of last year by $4,000 bales. Two
thirds Of tho product Of American cotton fields
are exported each year TO foreign countries, the
chief market for American cotton being in Eng
land. Other countries. however, France, Ger
many, Japan. China and Belgium take some.
The most interesting feature Of this years cotton
product perhaps, is the fact that there has been
an enormous increase in the amount OF cotton
manufactures in Southern States compared
with the amount Of cotton manufactured in the
North where, heretofore, the chief cotton factories
have been.
The record OF cotton manufacture is record
OF looms and spindles as well as Of the number
Of mills in operation. and Of the number Of bales
of cotton consumed. Compared with year
ago there has been increase in the whole North
ern region OF the United States OF 90 900 spindles
only, whereas the South has gained more than
800 900 spindles six times much The
total number OF spindles in both parts of the
try was II, 500 600 last year. and may be seen.
the increase in the South has been relatively very
much larger. In 1894, there were 2, 100 600 spin
dies in the twelve Southern States in which there
was any apprecable amount OF cotton manu-
featured. In 1896 the total had risen to 2 7Ol 900
In 1885, 1t was 800 900 and this year IL is & 6O0
600. The gain in the number of looms cor
respondingly large, from So 900 in 1894 TO 20 900
in 1895, OIL 900 in 1893 and 95 900 this year.
II has been a matter Of wonder why in Southern
States where cotton is raised, water power Is
abundant, labor is cheap. rents are small, know
ledge OF cotton and cotton goods extensive and
the opportunities for the investment Of capital
comparatively few, there should be such small
amount OF cotton manufacture. and the cotton
dealers should find profit in shipping at consider
able expense their product either to New England
factories or abroad. 1t has been pointed out
frequently that probable element in the future
prosperity OF the New or Industrial South would
be found in the more general manufacture of
cotton goods in mills the chief source Of
cotton supply. There are now Ala such mills
in the South. of which 1853 are in North Carolina
rs in South Carolina, 81 in Georgia, 81 in Ala
hama, % in Tennessee, II in Virginia, 10 in Ken
lucky in Mississippi, in Texas now the chief
cotton State each in Louisiana and Arkansas
"A large cotton producing State and in Mis-
souri,. These Southern cotton mills consume
in a year 14OO. 900 bales or twice as much as
they did five years ago an encouraging sign
to those familiar with the opportunities which
the South offers for cotton manufacture.
In addition TO the cheapness Of labor the
abundance Of water power, the proximity to the
source Of products and the opportunities for a
ready market, Southern cotton manufactures
enjoy, when in competition with New England
dealers a considerable advantage in climate
The absence Of severe weather allows tho mills
to be operated in the South at all times Of the year
whereas the temperature in Massachusetts and
Rhode Island frequently ntcrfercs with work
Tho mills operated by water power are much
more likely to freeze in the North than in the
South. The South is less likely TO be affected
by hot spell in the summer than the North.
still more important climatic condition
is the humidity Of the atmosphere Tho air
must be moist, otherwise tho cotton yarn
will break: and necessary is this moisture that
in many Of the English and Northern factories,
expensive machinery is provided TO preserve the
proper humidity in the atmosphere, and il is for
this reason that those Massachusetts mills nearest
the ocean enjoy an advantage which has been unsuc
fully sought by those either inland or remote from
the sea The Southern manufacture of cotton
is now considerable item in the industrial pros
pcrity of the South, and the large increase in the
number Of Looms and spndlcs in the year Of the
record breaking cotton crop is a circumstance
of inheritance