The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-11-30
A DANGER TO COTTON GROWERS.


 A DANGER TO COTTON GROWERS.
 The Southern cotton growers have ahead of them an obstacle to future suc- cess which majority of them are una ware of. and in order to obtain a fair understanding of it we copy the follow ing from recent issue of one of our financial exchanges:
 Measures are being taken by the Brit ish Cotton Growers Association to im- prove the quality and increase the yield of Indian cotton by encouraging modern systems of cultivation. the more careful selection of seeds and better ginning and packing. It is from the west coast of Africa that the most satisfactory re- suits are expected by the association, and the governors of the various districts interested. as well as other government officials, have been approached by the association which has succeeded in secur- ing their support. The result of these ne- gorations is that the association will dispatch ''eXpert expeditions to the vari- ous colonies and protectorates in that part of the British empii for the pur- pose of conducting practical experiments on the land provided by the .espectlve governments. Special efforts are being made to enlist the cooperation of the na- tives by inducing them to grow cotton on their own plats and factories are to
 
 ginning, pressure and baHng the cotton and afterward shipping it to Liverpool or Manchester. Where railways exist the government has promised to convey the cotton to the coast free of charge for two years. but in most cases the crop will have to be brought from the interior by means of the rivers. Sir Alfred Jones, who has shown great interest in the scheme, has undertaken to convey all West African cotton to England, freight free. for period of two years. In one district-an experiment has already been made with Egyptian seed. which was distributed in March last, and. as the cot ton shrubs have already matured, the harvest Is looked for at Christmas It is said that a large industry can be built up in the Sherbro district If the natives are taught according to modern methods. In British Central and East Africa also the prospects are considered to he prom ising The only difficulty to over come Is the question of transport and freight.
 These statements are explicit, and show how our English brethren propose to go about competing with us in the produc- ton of the South's great staple. They are not only offering every encourage ment to African growers, but will give a bonus in the way of free transportation. And in this connection few persons, out side the importers and government statis- ticians are aware that we import consid- erable quantities of cotton from Egypt for our own use. Last year the imports | of Egyptian cotton amounted to about l seven million dollars in value. and we'll l informed man estimates that it will be nine millions for the present year. This | is a specially fine cotton which cannot be successfully grown in this country, as all efforts to domesticate 1t have so far failed. There is something in the soil or climate of Egypt that cannot be found here, go that we are compelled to import this variety or go without. If it can be successfully grown in other portions of Africa as 1t can in Egypt, and modern methods are substituted for those of the natives, it is easy to see that great change may be in prospect, if British and American capital and enterprise shall take hold of the business in real earnest.
 We have often thought of what would be the result if cotton growing should be- come prominent industry in China. Of courese 1t is grown there now, for in that country, dS Wci dS ll AhuioD iHSS pi anu the Oriental regions, its cultivation ante dates history. No one knows just how much is grown in China, nor can we say how much of the country is adapted to it's growth, but there must be millions of acres where it would flourish, and of which the outside world knows but lit- tie. With their patience, their methods of thorough cultivation and the practical ly unlimited number of laborers. added to the exceeding cheapness of living. it is not unreasonable to suppose that if cotton cultivation should become univer- sal or even common in the great and populous nati0ns of the East it might | make important inroads on the staple crop of the South. It is really not to | be expected or hoped that the United States can always be the cotton king of the world. and the time may not be far distant when the South's practical domi- nation along this line will be at an end and something else must take it's place. -s-@-S---
 THREE GOOD CHANGES.