The Savannah morning news., 1903-09-01
SEA ISLAND COTTON.
Prosperous Year for Planters and
Outlook Good.

Prosperous Year Tor Flnnters ana
Outlook Good.
The sea island cotton season was
probably the most remarkable from the
standpoint of supply and demand in
the history of the industry. In the face
of a crop without an equal the de-
mand has been good and practically
the entire crop absorbed at prices
thoroughly satisfactory to planters.
The production reached 104, 500 bales,
against 1O4, 400 for the year of 1896,
which was the record sea island crop
up to the season just closed. 1t would
appear from a crop of this size that
uneasiness would prevail among hold
ers as to their ability to market it
at satisfactory prices. Such has not
been the case, however and at no time
have holders felt that they were not
receiving good prices.
The larger uses of this staple in the
manufacture of all products from au-
tomobile tires to women's fancy waists
has called for a supply fully equal to
the production. In some quarters it
was llOuSll lIldl Tie COIIl6I III upland
cotton, and the consequent forcing up
of prices, had a sympathetic effect in
bringing about the advance in sea is
land. but there is nothing to indicate
that any such substitution has been
made upon a scale that would absorb
the surplus sea island.
Large Sales Made.
What has contributed next to prices
to the satisfaction of sea island trad
ers in marketing the last crop was the
promptness of consumers in taking it.
once they realized that the statistical
position was strong. In the face of a
moderate new crop prospect during
June, at time when the market was
/ inactive, large demand suddenly de-
Veloped, and at the close of that week
| sales of upward of 5000 bales were re-
ported. The demand appeared to be
| equal to the available supply and it
is probable this would have been taken
mad not some factors held their cotton
| at prices exporters were apparently not
prepared to meet. With the small
stocks reported, however, consumers. il
is said. will find themselves at the open
ing of the new season with scant
stocks, which will probably bring them
INTO the market early for supplies: in
deed, an intimation has been sent out
through cotton trade papers from reli-
able sources in the East that the new
season promises to open up with a full
demand for cotton, and indications
point to satisfactory prices
1t has been urged recently that the
sea island planters who would make
money must secure the best seed and
raise a superior staple. 1t is this quail
ity which is referred to in the pre-
diction that prices of sea island
promise to open up well. 1t is said
that the low grade sea islands have to
compete with the finer uplands, Missis-
sippi delta and Egyptian cotton, while
the inner sea islands have no other sta
pie in the world with which to COM
pete. The wise ones, therefore, are adj
vising planters to use the finest seed
obtainable. This is done by securing
fresh seed from the island districts ev-
cry year. Sea island cotton is much
like an animal-the stock must be kept
up to make it valuable.
All things show that Savannah fac
tors handled the last crop to the thor
ough satisfaction Of their customers.
and that the best prices the market
afforded were obtained for the cotton.
The year has also demonstrated Sa-
vannah to be the leading sea island cot
ton market, and proves the advantage
accruing to holders by consigning
their cotton to factors here so that it
may be offered by them on the spot
when an attractive bid comes from the
exporter.
Outlook for New Crop.
The outlook for the new crop is sat
isfactory, though it is generally ad-
mitted that it will not equal that of
last year. The acreage is said to be less
and particularly in Lowndes county
and that vicinity, where the higher
prices of uplands induced planters to
give more attention to that crop. Then
the seasons have not been altogether
satisfactory, there having been rains at
times when sunshine was needed and
vice versa. While no figures can be
given at this time current opinion in
clines to the belief that the new crop
will not exceed 100000 bales. Factors
expect to be receiving new cotton very
soon. Savannah, above all other ports,
has the facilities for handling this cot
ton from the housing and caring for
it to the marketing. Years of expert
ence in handling the staple gives the
port a number of experts, whose judg-
ment in grading and otherwise passing
upon the quality of the cotton is big
advantage to the consignor.
Sea island crop received at Savan-
nah. Ga, year ending Aug. 81, 1903
showing proportion produced by Geor-
gia. Florida and South Carolina: