The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1901-06-01
FARMER ANDPLANTER.
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 dt udhu ioi -
lively prosecuting the work OF plant-
ing the cotton crop of 1901, interest IL
being largely diverted from the mar
keting of the remnants OF the ola
crop to the question of the acreage
to be devoted to the next one. 1t is
true that the old crop has not yet
been 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-
sideration 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-
termined, the total is now very gen.
orally put down as ten million bales,
or 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
il will be 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 it does not start an adj
vance: If the next crop promises q
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 made in many section to restrict
acreage. Such efforts are of little
practical benefit, as they rarely in
fIuence anybody. The questioned acre
age 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 tt
greatly increase their acreage, al
prices for all supplies have advanced
materially; while the price OF cottoI
itself has declined. Labor is alst
scarce in many portions of the south
thus restricting the ability of farmer
to extend acreage, irrespective OF ad
vances.
Such considerations as these, ant
not the advice of self-constitute,
leaders and advisers, will regulate tn
acreage devoted to cotton. Each farm
er will plant all the cotton he be
lieves that he can handle with profit
and each will be willing to leave t
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 wi
have much more influence in produ'
ing large crop than the mere are
devoted to cotton. The weather is
most uncertain quantity, and it nc
infrequently happens that 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 influence
.. Picayune.