Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-03-25
#aisesl1aueuus gsadimg.
COTTON SUPPLY OF EUROPE.
The Supremacy of This Country
VIII be Maintained.


York, we'll known as a statistical ex-
pert in cotton, discussing in last weeks 9
issue of the Manufacturers Record the
relation Of this country to the cotton
supply Of Europe, says:
"In England, Germany and France
there is considerable discussion Of the
subject and some practical efforts have
been made for the promotion OF the
cultivation Of cotton in the colonial
dependencies Of these countries. These
efforts have been chiefly made by man
ufacturers and merchants, but have re-
ceived the active encouragement and
support Of the respective governments.
"Since October, 1899, middling cotton
in New York has not been as low as
seven cents per pound, ranging from
Z 3-16 to II cents, and being actually
quoted at IL cents on January %, 1901,
in sympathy with futures for January
delivery, which were 12a cents on that
day. During the two previous years,
from September 1, 1897, to September l.,
1S99 spot cotton was continually below
seven cents in New York, except during
the first part of September, 1897.
European spinners having become
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 reduce the cost
by increasing the supply.
"Of the cotton consumed now by the
mills of Great Britain, Continental Eu-
rope and the United States, about 80
per cent is the growth Of this country.
In the five years ending August 81,
1860, the average proportion was s4a 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
cultiva ion in other countries that 1t
was not until 1882 we furnished as
much as rs per cent. Of the total con-
sumption Of the mills Of Europe and
the United States. For the five years
ending with 1890, we furnished within
q fraction Of n per cent; in the five
years ending with 1895 we had increas-
ed our proportion to 79a per cent. and
for the five years ending with 1900 we
had furnished to the mills Of Europe
and America SO 1-3 per cent. Of their
o.kt.o 80 ook&oy,
I'VE have now regained our absolute
supremacy in the field Of cotton pro-
duction, and an impartial considera-
ton Of the entire situation fully justi-
fles the belief that we will retain 1t in
definitely" ..r.
Dealing 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 cultiva-
tion may be expected it seems quite
evident that the increased production
Will be fully absorbed by the growing
requirements Of the Indian cotton mills.
The general uncertainty in regard to
the rainfall and its actual insuff1ciency
in many sections Of India are serious
drawbacks 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 market value
much lower than American cotton"
He sketches the possibilities of the
cultivable portion Of Egypt, and re-
garding recent engineering feats for ir-
rigation in that country says:
1.-THE chief purpose Of the new irriga-
tion works was undoubtedly to safe
guard the crops Of the land already un-
der cultivation. There will be some ex-
tension Of acreage, but this will be
chiefly In upper Egypt, where the cot
ton Is much inferior to that Of lower
Egypt and brings a considerably lower
price. The best opinion Is that the in
crease in acreage will be gradual. as it
will depend upon the construction Of
canals to take the water Of the new
fields. Assuming, however, an
increase in the acreage Of 100000 acres
and that cotton will get third Of 1t,
or 100000 acres this would add about
$50, 900 bales to the present cotton yield
Of Egypt. This would probably mark
the maximum Of the Egyptian cotton
crop for some years to come, and 1t
wuold not be so large in the seasons
when other crops promised greater
profit"
Col. Shepperson gives a comprehen-
sive survey of the cotton possibilities
of China, Turkestan, German East
Africa, Brazil, ETC., and in conclusion
says:
Except for a small increase from
Egypt no greater contribution to the
cotton supply Of Europe can be ex-
pected than at present. It is quite
possible to grow cotton in many coun-
tries in which 1t is not now cultivated,
but whether 1t can be produced In
large quantities and at low cost and
as profitably as the other crops, which
it would replace, Is a very different
matter.
There are vast possibilities for the
extension Of cotton cultivation in the
United States. According to the last
United States census there were in 1899
in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Indian
Territory and Oklahoma 100000 acres
Of improved land, Of whf:h iod019W
acres were devoted to cotton. New land
is being constantly brought under cul-
tivation in each of these states and ter
-,L-r. l 4la coil ia tho most nr0-