The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-04-01
Oar t"'lm C"ntr" viii BE- Maintained

Baltimore, March l9.-Cul. AifreC
Is. Shepperson, Of New York, vel.
known IS L Statistical! expert in cot
ton, discussing in this weeks issue
Of the Manufacturers Record the rela.
ton of this country to the cotton sup
ply of Europe, says:
SIN England, Germany and France
there is considerable discussion CT
the subject, and some practical efforts
have been made for promotion of the
cultivation of cotton in the colonial
dependencies Of these countries.
These efforts have been chiefly made
by manufacturers and merchants, but
have r%eceivedthe active encouragement
and support Of the respective govern
ments. Since October, 1899, mid.
ding cotton in New York has not
boon IS low as z cent? per pound.
During the two previous years from
September l, 1897, to September /,
1899, spot cotton was continuously
below Z cents in New York, except
during the first part Of September,
1897. European spinncrs having be.
come somewhat accustomed to the
lower prices ruling for cotton in these
two years, it is not surprising that
they should seek to establish new
sources Of production in order to re-
ducc the cost by increasing the sup
ply.
"Of the cotton consumed now by
the mills Of Great Britain, continental
Europe and the United States about
80 per cent is Of the growth of this
country. In the five years ending
August 81, 1860, the average proper
ton was 943 per cent. The high
prices resulting from our civil war and
the disorganization Of the agricultural
interests Of the South which continued
for some years thereafter induced such
an increase of Utilization in other
countries that it was not until 1882
we furnished as much as Is per cent.
of the total consumption of the mills
Of Europe and the United States. For
the five years ending with 1890, VIC
furnished within q fraction of II per
cent; in tho five years ending with
1895 We had increased our proportion
to 793 per cent. and for the five
years ending with 1900 we had fur
nished to the mills of Europe and
America SO 1-3 per cent. of their en-
tire takings of cotton.
eve have now regained our abso-
Lutte supremacy in the field Of cotton
production, and an impartial consider
alton Of the entire situation fully justi-
fees the belief that we will retain it
indefinitely"
Deal & with our chief competitors
in cotton production for the European
markets, India and Egypt, Col. Shep-
person, after analysis OF crop figures,
says:
"There is in India an abundance OF
suitable land which could be added to
the area now devoted to cotton, and
while some extension Of cotton Guilt
tion may be expected it seems quito
evident that the increased production
will be fully absorbed by tho growing
requirements Of tho Indian cotton
mills. The general uncertainty in re-
gard to the rainfall and its
actual insuficiency IN many
sections of India are serious draw
backs to any considerable increase in
cotton cultivation, especially when it
is considered that the average yield
per acre is only about rs pounds of
lint cotton of a quality and a mrket
value much lower than American Get
ton"
He sketches the possibilities of the
cultivable portion Of Egypt, and re-
garding recent engineering feats for ir-
rigation in that country says:
"The chief purpose of the new irri-
gaticu works was undoubtedly to safe
guard the crops Of the land al
ready undo. cultivation. There will
be some extension Of acreage, but this
will be chiefly in upper Egypt, where
the cotton is much inferior to that of
lower Egypt and brings a consider
ably lower price. The best opinion
is that the increase in acreage will be
gradual, as it will depend upon the con.
struction Of canals to take the water to
the new fields. Acknowledgement,