The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-20
"A DECREASE IN ACREAGE
All Conditions Point to Splendid Prices
and Large Receipts.
TOBACCO MARKET WILL HELP COTTON
Reports From Southern States Tell of Short
Cotton Crops and Damage by Drought,
All Of Which Mean Better Prices
For Our Product.


cotton crop of the country round about
Raleigh for this year. and has inter
viewed some of the leading cotton men
in the city on the subject
The general opinion seems to be as
follows; The acreage planted has de-
crea sed on account of the great in
crease in corn, tobacco, and other crops.
The weed is small, but remarkably we'll
boiled the July crop of bolls being con-
sidered by many the heaviest ever seen.
The receipts on cur market will be larger
than last year, Notwithstanding the
decrease in acreage. The indications are
that the crop will be splendid one, and
that prices will be way up. The tobacco
market will help the cotton receipts in
this city materially. Cotton acreage is
less in many of the Southern States, on
account of the great amount of corn
planted and the greater diversification
of crops in general. Reports from several
OF these States tell of serious injury to
the cotton, notably in Georgia, Alabama
and Mississippi, where hot and dry
weather have caused much damage by
blight. From many quarters come pre-
uiCllOHS OIL a SNORT crop on account OF
drought rust and heat.
All of these conditions will tend ma
terially to push up prices on our crop,
if it turns out as good as is expected.
This, of course, depends largely upon
the weather Taken all in all, the pros
poets are fine.
Now for some individual opinions:
Mr.. T. B. Crowder: The size of the
plant is much less than usual for this
season of the year, and much less than
was expected from the way it started
off. The weed has not grown for 30 to
40 days, but is very full of fruit for
its size. The bolls are small; but about
the average for the size of the plant.
The fruit is pretty we'll matured, and
the quality seems to be good There is
no doubt that the crop will be short of
the first of July calculations. 1t was
estimated then that it would be about SO
per cent. Now it will not probably go
over 80 per cent. This is due to the
fact that the weed has not grown on ac-
count of the drought. Cotton acreage
has decreased, and more tobacco and
corn have been planted The receipts on
the market this year will probably be
little larger than last year, which will
be due to the tobacco market here.
Mr.. Crowder is just back from Georgia
and other Southern States. He finds that
cotton acreage has decreased all over
the South, and that more corn and to-
bacco have been planted. This is due,
he thinks, to the advanced price of sup
plies, and the fact that the farmers have
determined on that account to diversity
their crops and raise home supplies. The
corn crop, Mr.. Crowder says, is the best
he has seen in years and the general
outlook for the South is very fine He
considers that the shorter cotton crop
through the South should mean fine
prices.
Messrs. Johnson & Thompson's opinion
ents, as follows:
I'VE usually examine the cotton crop
with considerable care during the month
of August, because it is then approach
ing maturity and we can form something
Ike an intelligent opinion as to how it
is fru;ted.
1--WE think the July crop of bolls is the
heaviest we ever saw. though the stalk
is not so large as we have frequently
seen It.
$50 far there IS no evidence of any
August crop of consequence, all the
squares except on highly improved land
having fallen off. We have therefore
reached the conclusion that we have a
good crop which is practically safe, and
that the bulk of the cotton now on the
stalk will open next month. Whether
we can make a large crop will depend
upon the weather during the next ninety
days, and the date of killing frost, as
any additional fruit must come on new
growth"
Mr.. e. B. Barbee: There will be twenty
five per cent. more cotton sold on this
market this year than last. In other
words, the receipts will be something
like $4,000 bales. The weed is small, but
/ never saw it better boiled. The acre
age is something like fifteen per cent.
less than last year. The tobacco market
will no doubt cause some of this in
crease in receipts.
Messrs. Barbee & Co. are in receipt
of a telegram from Ellis & Lee, New
Orleans, saying: price continues buying.
Local feeling bullish on hot weather
south"
Mr.. Frank Stronach: The cotton crop
is certainly 80 per cent. better than last
year. While the acreage is less, the
quality is much better. There IS no
doubt that the tobacco market will help
cotton receipts this year. 1t is safe to
say it will cause an increase of % per
cent
Mr.. F. z. Phillips Less cotton has
been planted than last year. but the
crop Is great deal better. The weed
IS small but well fruited, and the quality
IS better than last year. There is no
doubt that there will be a much larger
ana better crop on the market
MI K A. Lee. of Charlotte, who has
been here several weeks: Your cotton will
mature very rapidly and sell very freely,
with early movement 1t will be worth