Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-03-28
Mistellansnlls &eaains.
The NEXT COTTON CROP.

Farmers Are Able to Control 1t II They
Only Will.
Editor of The Yorkville Enquirer:
Allow me space in your paper to
say few words to the farmers of York
county in regard to the next cotton
crop. I will, no doubt, write all in
vain but I will, nevertheless, write a
few words.
If there ever was a time when the
farmers needed to exercise good, sound
Judgment in planning to plant their
crop, that time is now. We have just
pas: led through hard year, and we
desire, of course, to make the most
we possibly can out of this years
crop; but that don't mean we must
plant large cotton crop. 1t is an
undisputed fact that an oversupply of
any article lowers the price. And
it is equally true that when the
demand is greater than the supply,
prices rise. This latter fact was clear
ly demonstrated by last years short
crop, for there is no denying the fact
that the short crop is what raised the
price to 9 and 10 cents. The con.
sumer is wanting cotton and can't get
it; consequently the price is up.
When the supply is greater than the
demand, the consumer buys at his own
price.
Cotton is bringing 9 cents at the
present time; but the impression has
gone out to the effect that there will
be an increase in the acreage, corrobo-
rated by the heavy fertilizer receipts,
and has already had its effect on the
market, and if we run this years crop
up to the 100000 bale mark, it will
not be reasonable for us to expect to
get 8 cents for cotton next fall.
Look what one short crop done.
Raised the price from 5 to 10 cents.
Why not keep it there2 The farmers
have it in their power, to an extent at
least, to control the price. of cotton !;
and we have been controlling it. We
brought it down to 5 cents too. How J.?
By an overproduction. 1t is much
better to put two bales on the market
at 8 cents, than four bales at 4 cents.
Why not make less and get more for
t? Don't increase your cotton acre.
age and expect everybody else to cut
theirs down. Let everybody cut down,
and We surely will get fairly good
price for our cotton next fall. Nearly
every class of people, except the farm:
ers, are organized and run their busi-
ness systematically. We stand in our
own light by going on in this loose and
careless manner. am practically an
inexperienced farmer. am only a
beginner but 1 was raised on the
farm, and have observed and studied
the great field of progress and prosper.
ity that lies out before the farmer, and
am fully convinced that the farmer is
one of the most free and independent
classes of people on the face of the
earth. If they would only come to-
gether, understand each other, raise
everything at home they possibly can,
and not produce any more of an artl-
Gle than there is a demand for. Wake
up farmers Don't plant the whole OF
York county in cotton.
As I stated in the outset, these few
rambling remarks will hardly have the
desired effect on the farmers of York
county; but next fall when everybody
is complaining of low prices, will be
like the old woman, I will at least
have the satisfaction of saying, II
told you so." ]. K. SCoGG1Ns.
Warren. S. c.. March 81, 1900.