The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-06
NEW SEA ISLAND CROP.
MIR. l.. Gourdin Young Puts 1t at
SS,725 Bales.

Mr.. L. Gourdin Young has just is
sued his annual statement of the sea
island cotton crop for the season of
1900-1901, in which he shows the crop
to be SS,725 bales, or a decrease of g.
$50 from the previous seasons crop.
AS previously stated by the Morning
News in the columns of its trade issue
this shortage in the sea island crop
accounts largely for the shortage in
Savannah's general receipts last sea-
son.
OF the crop Mr. Young's report shows
that South Carolina raised S,377 bales,
an increase of 567 on the previous
year, Georgia 60,SSS, a decrease of 5,9l4
and Florida 29607, a decrease of 1928
The total exports were 10000, against
9S.305 for the season of 1S99-1900, or
decrease of $3.50. The exports went to
Great Britain, SS,172. a decrease of 49,
1856, to the Continent S,007, a decrease of
2,063, and domestic $1,000, decrease of
1880.
Mr.. Young says in reviewing con-
ditions during the last season:
I'm our annual circular of last year
we said that a yield of 100 900 bales
was in the range of possibility, and 1t
was, but the weather afterwards was
very bad, so bad that many estimates
were reduced to, and below, $4,000
bales, which was unfortunate, as 1t
induced speculation on the part of in
terror merchants in Georgia and Flor
ida and of some here, which put up
prices to a point beyond the value of
the cotton. spoiled legitimate trade,
and brought disaster to investors.
There never was good reason to be-
lieve in crop of less than $1,000 bales,
and if prices had been allowed to re-
main at the figures predicated on this
yield a satisfactory business for all
parties interested must have been the
result, whereas this has been one OF
the most trying seasons known to the
trade, with large losses to many and
little profit to any, except the planter.
The lesson has, however, been so severe
that a pretty effective stop has been
put to a speculation sustained by those
factors who made too large advances
in order to secure consignments, and
by the banks which were too eager to
invest their capital. The quality OF
the crop was faily good, with the pro-
portion of the lower grades small and
comparatively dear. In weight the
Carolina bag averaged 357.67, against
352.14 pounds last year; and the Flor
ida and Georgia bale 39202, against
l.
was about 1850 per pound, equal $91.7S
per bag that of Floridas and Georgias
1890. equal $5096 per bale.
Zone of the features of the season
worthy of attention is the growing con-
sumption of this country. While, be-
cause of high prices for the raw ma
terial there was a considerable de-
crease in the takings of Great Britain
and the continent as compared with
increase of 1880 bales in those of the
American mills, of which 1855 bales
went to Southern mills.
"At the opening of the market there
was as in past seasons wide and I'M
reasonable difference between the
prices asked fol" East Floridas," Flor
idas" and "Georgias," which resulted
III combining the early business very
much to Georgias. Before the close OF
the season these differences in values
had nearly disappeared, and there is
reason to believe that in future staple
and quality and not section will de-
eide the values of the receipts"
Referring to the coming crop Mr.
Young says:
ION the mainland and islands ada.
| cent to Charleston the acreage i:
about the same as last year. but it ha:
been considerably increased in the
Beaufort section. In this state les:
| high-grade seed has been planted
! hence the proportion of Extra Extrs
and Extra Fine will be diminished
while that of the current grades viii
be increased. In Florida and Georgia
there is an increase of acreage, per-
haps fifteen per cent. In all the states
the crop is backward. 1t was late be-
! fore good stands could be obtained. A
cold spell in April, followed by drought
and then by too much rain in some
sections, has retarded the growth oil
the plant, but it is generally in q
healthy, vigorous condition, capable OF
a yield of 100, 900 bales or a little more
The danger to be apprehended is ar
early frost, which would find the plant
lacking maturity. Only two bales OF
the new crop have been received-the
quality of one of them very good, the
other very poor. 1t is too early to con-
lecture the probable quality or extent
of the crop.
with the experience of the last sea-
son impressed upon producer and deal.
er, they are not apt to repeat the ex-
pertinent of warning with the consum-
er, and unless the crop meets with un-
expected disaster, and is cut short
prices should be moderate, yet remun-
erative. The stocks are low, the trade
is fairly good, and large quantity OF
cotton is needed to supply it's wants
but it has been proven that the mills
have the power to resist any attempt
to exact unreasonable prices"
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