Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-01-17
COTTON CROP MOVEMENT.

COTTON CROP MOVEMENT.
Review of Its Present State-strong POSI-
tion of Farmers.
The New York Times makes the
following comprehensive review of the
cotton crop movement, based on late
and accurate reports:
"The movement of the cotton crop
up to date shows reduction, as COM
pared with the crop of 1896-97, of 507-,
900 bales. The total crop that season
was 8, 75S, 600 bales. The two succeed
ing crops being much larger, a compar.
sion with that of 1896 81 seems only
reasonably fair and proper.
"On January 1, 1897, the total crop
in sight was 6,39S,O00 bales out of a
total of S,75S,O0O bales, making the
movement after January 1, 100000
bales. Should the movement after
January l, this year prove equal to
that of 1896 81, this years crop would
be $780, 900 bales.
"On January l, 1898, the total
amount in sight was 100000 bales
out of total crop of II, 200, 1000 bales,
and on January l, 1899, 7,725, 900
bales out of a total of II, ,275, 900 bales,
showing a movement after January /,
respectively, of 100000 and 1850, 900
bales. The amount of cotton that
came into sight after January /, 1898,
was the largest ever recorded, exceed
ing that of 1896 81 by $4,000 bales.
Now, while the present crop move
ment is 5O7, 900 bales less than that OF
1896 81, if the movement for the re-
mainder of the crop year be increased
by adding half of the above excess to
| it, it will bring the crop totals: Crop
in sight January 1, 5,S9l 900 bales
assume remaining movement equals
that of 1896 ~, $4,000 bales, 8,25l, ),
900 bales; add excess as above, 770,.
900 bales, making total crop of g.
O21 900.
"In view of the fact that the move.
ment has been running smaller than
that of 1S9697, the above addition oil
10000 bales is very generous. In.
deed, a crop of 100000 bales at the
present moment looks very uncertain,
for there is not scintilla of evidence
upon which to base belief that the
movement of this crop is otherwise
than normal. There are rumors cur
rent, as in every other crop year past,
that cotton is being held back. The
stock of cotton at ports and interior
towns contradicts these idle rumors,
for the aggregate stock at these points
is less than last year.
"At the beginning of this crop sea.
son, i. e., September l, the stock at
ports and interior towns, as compared
with the same time last year, showed
an excess of $50, 900 bales. Now these
stocks show a decrease, as compared
with last year, of 124, 900 bales, making
net loss of 1000 bales. This, it is
pointed out, does not look like holding
back cotton.
at is reported that the stock at the
enumerated towns is larger than last
year. There has never been an in
stance in the history of the cotton
trade where excessive stocks at enume.
ated towns did not show also al
enumerated points. Such a prear-
ranged plan on the part of planters
and factors to put all their excess
holdings in unenumerated towns is
utterly impossible and on its face
absurd.
"In this connection it would be
well for the cotton trade the world
over to consider carefully the changed
conditions at the south and its rapidly
increasing spinning capacity. With q
very large margin of profit upon man.
ufactured goods, and under contracts
for several months ahead, its mills are
running day and night, while those
in the north are doing almost equally
as we'll. These mills have secured the
larger portion of their supplies, and
while some of these may show in
stocks at interior towns, this cotton is
practically off the market and not for
sale. The movement assuredly dem
onstrates this crop to be short one,
and while such crop report continues,
holders need not fear the final result
nor be at all influenced by the mission.
ary efforts put forth presumably for an
interested purpose.
"One year ago planters had the good
sense to reduce the acreage under cul-
tivation, and today they are reaping q
su bs,a ,antial reward for their labor in
the shape of 7 to Z! cents for their cot.
ton, instead of Al cents, as during the
two preceding years.
"The question now is asked whether
planters will be foolish enough to aban.
don their present strong position by
increasing the acreage for next crop.
The situation, it is said, is now prac.
tically in their hands for veal or woe.
A moderate reduction in acreage, with
a resultant moderate crop next year,
will mean at least cents to the plan.
ter for his cotton, for Europe at the
present time is dangerously short in
her supplies of American cotton, while
a larger acreage would be used to de.
press prices in the expectation of q
large crop.