Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-10

from last years crop.
AT Macon. Ca, about two weeks since
at a meeting OF the Southern Cotton
Growers Protective association, an esti-
mate on the crop OF the country was made
by the COO delegates present, representing
every cotton growing state. and not one
had the temerity to say the crop was
equal 20 last year. while a summary OF
all gave $4,000 5O0-pound bales.
III Mr.. Buston had ridden through the
cotton fields as have during the past 20
DAYS and could have seen the thousands
of head Of cattle turned into fields where
the plant is so high that it hid the cattle
from view, he certainly would not have
told the world that the situation in Texas
was greatly exaggerated.
7 have been watching the crop in Texas
month by month and day by day very
closely for ten years, out in the open. not
from Pullman cars, and from long expert
ence. I am certain no man can form an
accurate estimate OF crop conditions by in
specting a small part of the enormous
cotton-growing area hurriedly once
year.
My estimate on last years crop, made
September 1. 1901, and published through
out the country, that is, $4,000 bales, was
verified by the census actual count of the
amount of cotton ginned, which gives
9.509,745 bales Of an average weight of 800
pounds each. over-estimated but 110,25
bales on the actual growth during last
season. This, Of course, does not include
Iinters, city crop and old crop carried
over.
Il am sure every one will admit as q
prognosticator of the actual crop. 1 was
much nearer TO the truth than Mr.. Bus
ton.
las to his advice to the farmers to sell
their cotton. he is entirely right from his
~e~ 0sr,e. k.vA - ~, Of south
should remember that il is to the interest
of such as Mr.. Buston and those he repre-
sents TO secure the crop at as low price
as possible: dumping it on the market as
fast as IL leaves the gin. serves this pur-
pose admirably. The planters should, at
the same time. remember that Mr.. Bus
ton advised them to sell last year when
cotton was below s cents, whereas later
on il reached 9 81 cents. Who got the
difference? Surely not the planter.
I'VE have always advised the market
ing Of cotton slowly. We are still satisfied
this is the best policy, and, If all signs do
not fail. the planter. by marketing his
crop conservatively this season, will real
ize the best possible results.
Il believe Mr.. Buston's estimate on the
crop is just about as reliable as his
statement that "a bloom of cotton tagged
on the Goth of September was a fully de-
veloped boil on the 10th of October. 20
lays" Every planter in the south who
has ever raised a boil of cotton knows
that IL takes six weeks under the most
favorable weather conditions for a bloom
TO make a developed boil. At this time Of
the year and under the conditions which
OF late have Surrounded the crop, from 45
TO 50 days is the usual time to reach fun
maturity from a bloom.
The top crop buEgaboo which so many
interested people make use of 10 further
their own interests. as does Mr.. Buston. is
a myth pure and simple which gives some
semblance TO a reality about once in ev-
cry 10 or u years. Frost, too. finds sup
porters OF its claims in those who seek
shelter in any port, but to explode this
theory Il might be we'll for those who are
resting upon this contingency to know that
frost or no frost, the Texas crop is made.
Does the price OF cotton seed through
out the state +. O.. B. as compared with
other years indicate such crop as Mr..
Buston contends for? Note the difference:
1900. -. -. -. 80. ...S11.Oo per ton.
1sOl-... $780,. 400 per ton.
I9o2.... 80. see. zee. q. 100 per ton.
Another evidence. and a very strong
one. too. indicating that the crop is
shorter than last year. or for many years
past. is that the local banks within the
territory. $50 miles OF Houston. have been
for the past two weeks. sending currency
nI express 10 the city NdLNE dA A4VAGNtAA
for the purpose OF getting the interest on
their balances. stating that the cotton
movement is over in their territory and
they have no further use tor money. This
is in direct contradiction 10 Mr.. Buston's
remarks upon central southern and
southwestern Texas. and IL the European
spinners are depending upon his judg-
ment. /. e., that the crop will furnish them
an ample supply OF the staple this year,
they will be sadly disappointed
Very truly,
"E. S. PETERS"
Mr.. Peters gives an interesting reply to
the recent 'bearish" letter of Mr.. Buston.
and his version OF Mr.. Buston's interest in
trying to hold down the price OF cotton
so as TO protect his employers-the spin
ners-is eminently correct. I am confident
that when a short yield is fully under
stood by the manufacturing centers in
Continental Europe. that the price Of cot
ton will materially advance from present
prices. This may not occur until after
the holidays. 1t may come sooner. at all
events. every farmer who can hold the
balance Of his crop should do so. and just
sit steady in the boat" until the advance
| is received. All indications point TO a
short yield. which means much higher
prices later on.
HARVIE JORDAN