Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-28
RECENT RAINS.

nave during the past two weeks peen eN-
tremely favorable toward the growth,
fruiting and development Of the cotton
plant. While the rains came too late in
many sections OF the south 10 save the
damage done 10 the corn crop. they have
nevertheless not only saved but promoted
very materially the prospects for splen-
did cotton crop over a large area OF the
cotton belt. IL Is true that in many sec
tons notably I'm the states OF Alabama.
Mississippi and Texas. many farms plant
ed IN cotton are yet suffering for the
want OF moisture. aud the plants viii
doubtless fail to return any profit TO their
owners. and in many instances viii yield
heavy losses.
But we cannot shut our eyes now 10 the
fact that present indications point TO a
large yield. unless the coming month Of
August has in store many days OF hot,
dry, windy weather. The conditions in
Texas. especially in the main cotton belt
Of that state. are very much improved
over existing conditions a month ago.
No man, no matter how well posted he
may be on the crop situation. can yet pre-
dict with any degree OF certainty the to-
tai yield Of the present growing cotton
crop Ny own personal observations in
many Of the best cotton growing counties
IN this state indicate far superior condi-
tons 70 those existing at this time last
year. Mississippi reports indicate now
that the crop in that state viii be no larg
er for this year than the total output last
year. which was in round numbers quar-
ter OF a million bales less than fun
fror-
The crop IN Alabama viii doubtless not
be much larger than IL was last season,
while the output from Georgia farms will
probably exceed the crop OF 1901 In Texas,
and we are mainly interested in that state.
the probabilities now are that the amount
OF cotton raised there this season viii be
considerably more than that OF a year
ago
There IS but little bad crop news now
going the rounds from a failure OF proper
climatic conditions. but the Injurious ef-
fect5 from insects are quite prevalent IN
many sections Il is noticed that in the
last bulletin issued by Weather Observer
Marbury from Atlanta. the statement is
made that the boil weevil has made its
appearance in this state
In those sections where the weevil has
been noticed, II damp. rainy weather con-
rinues through August. making the cOndi-
lions good for their rapid multiplication.
al fields infected viii be either devastated
or severely injured. The boil weevl Is a
serious proposition for the cotton produc-
er 10 so up against, and IL is 10 be sin
cerely hoped that some remedial insecti-
eide viii be soon. discovered that viii
check the march eastward OF this formi-
dabla and dangerous insect TO the cotton
pant. In some counties in this state. par
ticulariy I'm middle Georgia. anthroenose.
or boil rot. IS reported. and serious results
from this cause may be seen later on in
many fields
Probable Yield.
While we are not yet "out OF the
woods" so 20 speak. and VIII not be for
thirty days yet, still IL favorable condi-
tons continue. II looks now as IL the pres
ent crop viii 60 AT least a million bales
over the crop OF 1911 This would place the
crop at from 100000 TO II, 1000 bales.
Even II the crop should turn out In actual
bales as above stated. Il viii not be more
than enough 20 meet the actual demand
Of the mills for raw cotton during the
coming twelve months. A crop no larger
than that Of last year would fall short OF
meeting the worlds demand for Ameri-
can cotton. and would necessarily entail a
curtailment in the output Of cotton fabrics
By the mills I'm this country and I'm Con-
tineutal Europe. This Is a matter which
should be Impressed upon the mind OF the
cotton producer Of the south. Upon a full
knowledge and appreciation by them OF
the. true situation win depend in a large
measure the position they viii occupy in
the market during the coming season. The
fear Of an over-production from an H.
0oo.000 bale crop Is not the same now as
existed in 1895. which forced the price OF
cotton down 10 a very low level In the
first place there is but little or no old cot
ton I'm the markets 20 be carried over as
surplus and 70 be used by the mills and
the cohorts OF Spectators TO hammer
down prices
In the second place the worlds require
ments OF American cotton has increased
at least from a half 70 three-uuarters OF
million bales within the past FIVE years.
These are questions OF fact which present
themselves to our attention at this time.
more especially in the face OF a probable
heavy Outturn from the existing fairly
good condition OF the cotton plants grow
ing and fruiting on the $4,000 acres
planted The southern farmers have
planted fer big crop and II climatic con-
ditlons continue favorably their desires
in the direction OF harvesting a heavy
yield may, and doubtless viii be, fully
realized
Marketing Cotton.
II in September the prospects are good
Tor a heavy yield. the farmers viii nat
uraIly. following the bent Of their past ac-
ton. rush their staple on the market and
sell as rapidly as possible. II Is a propo-
sltfon that requires no arguing, that heavy
receipts means rapid depression OF the
market. no matter whether the crop will
yield as much or more than the mills
want. The foreign spinner, whose prices
make and dominate our markets, are
guided and influenced by the daily receipts
Of spot cotton placed on the market by
the producers II the receipts are large
the foreign spinners presume that a big
crop Is behind the heavy movement. and
they are not so anxious TO buy. and
prices. not. braced up within an active
demand are depressed II. on the other
hand. receipts are not excessive the same
spinners. not being familiar with local
conditions, become uneasy and keep the
market up with a steady and unfailing
demand for supplies IL Is 70 the interest
tharafnra of every uroducer no matter