Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-05-17

THE OUTLOOK FOR COTTON.
interest IN Now Diverted From the
Results of the Old Crop to the
Prospects For the New.

AS the time is now at hand for ac-
lively prosecuting the work of plant
ing the cotton crop of 1901, interest is
being largely diverted from the mar
keting of the remnants of the old
crop to the question of the acreage
TO lie devoted to the next one. 1t is
true that the old crop has not yet
peen all marketed, and considerable
stocks are still in the country unsold;
but the prices at which this remnant
OF the crop will be disposed of will be
determined not so much by any con-
slderation of the statistical position
OF such old cotton as by the planting
and early history of the next crop.
Although the exact size of the last
crop has not yet been definitely de-
telmined, the total is now very gem
orally put down as ten million bales,
or a little over that figure. Although
the consumption by the worlds mills
is not up to expectations, it is not
believed that the worlds surplus
stocks will be materially increased by
the marketing of the alliance of the
old crop. The future of prices will
hinge mainly on the outlook for the
next crop; hence every indication that
1T will be a large one is apt to de-
press prices, while every circumstance
that will tend to cut down the yield
will exert sustaining influence upon
the market if il does not start an adj
vance: If the next crop promises a
liberal yield. then the supplies remain
ing from the present crop must APP
pear ample; but if, on the other hand,
the indications should be that the
crop will prove comparatively mod
crate, then existing supplies will seem
cidedly moderate. Such being the
case, news as to the prog
ress of planting and of the
weather will be eagerly watched from
now on, as such information, rather
than the movement of the old crop
or other statistical facts connected
with it, will govern the price of cot
ton during the spring and summer.
There are numerous reports to the
effect that systematic efforts are be-
ing .lade in many section to restrict
acreage. Such efforts are of little
practical benefit, as they rarely in
fluence anybody. The question of acre
are will be determined principally by
the financial ability of the farmers
If they are able to secure only mod
crate advances, they are not likely to
greatly increase their acreage, as
prices for all supplies have advanced
materially; while the price of cotton
itself has declined. Labor is also
scarce in many portions of the south
thus restricting the ability of farmer:
TO extend acreage, irrespective of ad
yances.
. Such considerations as these, ant
not the advice of self-constitutet
leaders and advisers, will regulate the
acreage devoted to cotton. Each farm
err will plant all the cotton he be
Jiryes that he can handle with profit
and each will be willing to leave Il
his neighbor the task of curtailin!
acreage. The general expectation
now is that there will be some in
crease in acreage, but the increas
will not be nearly so great as
promised to be couple of month
ago.
BE the acreage what it may, tn
weather subsequent TO planting vii
have much more influence in produr
ing a large crop than the mere are
devoted to cotton. The weather is
most uncertain quantity. and it no
infrcquentIy happens that a moderat
acreage yields liberal crops, while
large acreage does poorly From no.
on the weather will have more TO d
with influencing the price of cotto
than any other single inhuence.-N
q. Picayune.