Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-14
MARKETING COTTON.

The season for marketing cotton Is now
upon Us. and II there was ever time
I'm the history Of the cotton business when
unity OF action among farmers was most
needful IL would appear that this IS the
time That farmers all over the south are
taking q deeper and more widespread in
terest IN the subject Of handling and
marketing their cotton. there can be no
question ANY person who has taken the
trouble and pains to observe and tnvesu-
gate this matter viii find that cotton pro-
ducers are beginning 10 inject business
methods in the handling OF their great
staple product on the markets Of the
country. AS an evidence Of this fact, we
publish IN another column Of this issue
two letters from prominent farmbers. one
from Texas the other from Georgia. show
ing the trend OF thought which actuated
them In the discussion Of the sue. ect that
called forth their short articles. / am
constantly IN receipt Of such letters and In
mixing and mingiing with cotton produc-
ers all over the country. their converse
ton is largely upon this topic. The old
? time system. In vogue so many. many
yeafs. Of farmers hauling tleir cotton into
market and surrendering IL into the hands
OF local buyers at whatever price Is Of
fered, without protest. is fast passing
away.
Progressive farmers ar ebeginning to give
their staple Is handled from the field to
the ginnery, and from the ginnery TO the
warehouse. First class gin pants are
demanded. and economy in the handling M
their cotton. its care. and the package
into which Il Is placed for market Is COM
handing and receiving widespread atten-
ton The distribution OF crop reports
through the press. the action Of the state
and national departments Of agriculture
IN using every possible means to secure
correct statistics on the condition Of the
crop. and the publication Of such statistics
for the benefit Of the producers and trade
generally Il checl<mating the devices Of
the average Spectators and enemy Of the
planter.
Theh Present Crop.
Indications az the present time point 20
q decided curtailment OF production I'm
many sections OF the cotton belt Thou
sands OF acres OF cotton which promised
good yields 60 days ago have now either
reached the stage OF maturity. or are
blooming In the top and opening rapidly
at the bottom. Other sections BY reason
Of long continued drought viii produce
but little OF nothing. Showers have been
frequent In many sections during the past
81 days but the hot sunshine and blister
ing winds which Immediately followed
has wilted the plant and checked fits
growth and development.
ed TO ripen the crop prematurely and We
find the fields beginning 20 whiten with
the staple nearly % days ahead OF the
usual time. This fact alone would point
20 q short crop. because when the bolls
begin 10 open the plant stops taking on
fruit. and the crop Is soon gathered and
ready for market.
should be green and taking on forms up
20 the 18th o. August and blooming the
18th OF September.
There WIN be many fields OF cotton in
Georgia this year fully harvested BY the
first OF October. have not heard from
q single state where an unusually large
and favorable crop was now growing On
the contrary the states generally report
that present Indications point TO either
short yield. or an output no larger than
that OF last year. Our Texas correspond
erts state that conditions there are no
better than those existing last year. and
these reports come from farmers who are
IN better position 70 know the facts than
anyone else
OF course nobody can with any degree
OF certainty predict at this date what the
Weld OF the present growing crop viii be,
vet eastern Spectators who are on the
short side OF the market. or who have
sold cotton heavily under contract for
future delivery at present prices, are anx-
ious 70 dspress prices so as 10 cause a
rush OF early cotton on the market BY pre-
dieting an abnormal yield
II they can deceive the producers by fig
rires made up in their New York offices
and get the farmers TO sell their cotton
raoidiy. as a matter OF course prices will
faII with heavy receipts. the spectators
VIII be able % al their contracts and
make q big margin OF profit BY the deal
The time for the farmers TO nip this
echeme IN the bud IS during the next six
" days. while they have the opportunity
and the power TO do IL by cooperation
and holding their cotton on the market.
OBLIGATIONS for supplies are not due be-