The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-11-19
COT TON EXPERT
GATHERING DATA
Capt, White Here for the
Government.
OBSERVERS FINE'REPORT.
Praised Everywhere as the Most Com
plete Ever Issued in N. G.
ABSURD ESTIMATES OF COTTON YIELD,
The Eleven Million Bale Forecasters Are Making
itAppear that N. c. Has a Larger Crop
This Year than Last! What
Mr.. Patterson Saws.

W.T.. Z dlefSOn Days.
Captain B. G. White, special agent Of
the government, was here yesterday Sc
curing data for the forthcoming cotton
crop report, which will make it's appear
ance early in December
The market is awaiting this report
and as it is the last one the government
will make it will have an influencing
effect on the price of cotton. and espe-
cially is this so since the governments
report has proved to be the most accu-
rate for several years past
Mr.. White has visited ali the atlantic
winding up his tour before returning to
Washington. While here yesterday he
called on State Commissioner of Agri-
culture, Mr.. S. l.. Patterson and cotton
merchants on Exchange AT the office
of Commissioner Patterson, Mr.. White
spent much of his time. He made the
statement that the estimates of the
yield of cotton in North Carolina, which
had been given to him by merchants
and others, since his arrival here, ranged
lFoIH oUU,UuO TO 4UU,OUU DaleS.
Commissioner Patterson informed Mr.
White that he had no reason to change
the estimate since the issuance of the
October crop report by the State. The
estimated cotton yield then was 351 ,572
bales, and Mr.. Patterson expressed the
opinion that the unusually fine weather
this fall would probably increase the
yield to $4,000 bales
Capt. White is the special fiel5 agent
of the Division of Statistics of the Unit
ed States Department of Agriculture.
s&He left last night for Salisbury and
then for Charlotte to interview cotton
men as to the probable outcome of the
crop in North Carolina and the condition
of cotton generally. Capt. White is no
stranger in Raleigh, for he stops here
each month during the cotton planting
and growing season in gathering statis-
tics for Mr.. John Hyde, statistician of
the Department of Agriculture.
Speaking of his present trip Capt.
White said:
This is the most important of my
trips, as | am getting data for Statisti-
clan Hyde, to compare with the many
other resources he has of getting data
in arriving at an accurate estimate of
the cotton crop Of the United States.
THE cotton people throughout the
United States and all other countries
are now relying upon what is known as
the Bureau Report, which is compiled
by Statistician Hyde, for an accurate
report of the cotton yield of the United
States and l assure you that Mr.. Hyde
has the matter well in hand and this
year will add to the reputation he has
already made for the accuracy of his
reports
Captain White is making a thorough
tour of his district which comprises all
the cotton belt except Texas, Arkansas,
Indian Territory and Oklahoma, in
which there is another special agent
and is sending daily reports to Statisti-
clan Hyde.
The Bureau Report, giving an estimate
of the cotton crop for 1901 1902 will be
issued at Y M. December 3rd.
Many of the expert cotton statistic
ians have been at work FOR weeks on
papers, making it appear that the crop
this year will reach, if not exceed eleven
million bales. These such are accredit-
ing North Carolina with an even larger
crop than last year. Several letters re-
of cotton in North Carolina at much
more than 900 bales. "Such estimates
are ridiculous said Commissioner Pat
terson yesterday, land any one who
knows the real conditions in North
Carolina would not think of making
such an estimate. A 400, coo crop is high
estimate and there are some as low as
100000.
j. M Aver 6, Co, of New York, in a
circular letter under date of November
18th, estimate the cotton yield at $4,000
bales as compared with yield of 542, 900
bales last year. When Commissioner
Patterson saw this he was constrained
to remark Nov isn't Hal nice far
mer."
Messrs. Aver & Co. in their letter say:
1T seems to us that those who predict
an eleven million bale crop must estab-
lish two facts before their estimate can
appear reasonable. First. That there is
an actual eight per cent increase in ac-
reage; second, that the general status of
the crop has advanced from CLIO on Oc-
tober LIST, to 81 on November 18th. or
that the average production will equal
43-1O0 bales per acre of ASS pounds each
Both these conditions are necessary to
make an eleven million bale crop pos
sible."