The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-09-22

tIIt CI me must iii HltGSSllnR Cu0gS no.
t.c,d on the trip from the North Caroline.
Ir-tltutes to Philadelphia was the great
increase in the cultivation Of the COW pea
ucrlhWar4 In sact, the farmers of
Northern Virginia, Maryland and Della
ware seem to be entering into the cult
7ation more extensively than in the home
Of the pea further South They are
fLding out that an early breaking of the
land for peas forms the best fallow for
wheat that Is to follow on the pea stub
HE. Another indication of improved
methods Is the better preparation of the
1alow not in peas, in preparation for
wheat. We noticed many fields which had
already (September 3rd) been narrowed
and rolled a number of times and which
to the casual observer We're already in
fine order. But the harrows were still
gong over the land and farmers in these
sections seem to be rapidly finding out
that every time the roller and harrow
60 over the land they are adding bushels
to the chance for a wheat crop. While
the cotton farmers of the South are in
fine sIHrItS over the prospective good
price for the staple we found that the
tobacco growers everywhere are in q bad
way by reason of the grasping monopoly
Of the American Tobacco Company
which absolutely controls the price of the
crop. and IS disposed to use its power
to lower the price of the raw material
while advancing the price of their pro-
duet. The Trust talks about over-pro-
duction and increased demand for their
goods as the reason for the low prices.
But we noticed that the great factories
OF the American Tobacco Company at
durham. n. c., are running day and
right So it would seem that there must
be an active demand for their product.
Some llladvlsed people are urging a boy
cctt OF trust-manufactured tobacco But
1t Is evident that this would cut both
way, for decreased sale of their goods
would put a weapon in the hands Of the
Trust that they would not fail to use
The farmers Of North Carolina are or
ganlzlng for the purpose OF starting inde-
PENDENT factories. If these are maintain
ed with abundant capital and properly
managed, 1t would seem to be the most
buslnesshke way to make a competi-
ton to break the monopoly. We noted
too, that while the cotton crop in North
Carolina has a promising growth and IS
better than III most other States, it IS
depends on a late, frostless autumn
Some farmers are taking advantage of
the good price for futures to sell their
crop IN advance, and they may be wise
IN doing SO, though an early frost will
certainly start cotton soaring again. and
II any event cotton prices seem certain
to hold Up for some time to come
DON'T RISK ALL on ON ECROP.
The danger of good prices for cotton
l. that the cotton farmers of the South
VIII forget the lesson that the low price
o. q few years back taught them, and
VIII drop the rotation of crops many of
them have begun, and will put the whole
-and IN cotton, and then with bumper
crop and low prices they will again be
III bad way, with their eggs all in the
one Lasket. Don't lost your head over
IS-cent cotton. but rather try to grow
more OF 1t per acre instead of more acres
TIL ECOTTON SITUATION.
We are often asked about the prospects
lot the cotton crop, and the effect on
me market OF the speculat ton in cotton
secretary Wilson seems to think that the
'~1Ft~ that have been made to corner the
Ns.'"n supply will initiate against the
N''"or~ But the fact seems to be that
mere is real shortage in the supply
cotton all over the world, and it is
So.a 1hat II the cotton now in the hands |
o. the men who have cndeavored to |
corner 1t was let loose it would rot keep |