Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-09-03
JOHNSTON'S COTTON LETTER.
Forecast of the Probable Yield
Present Field Conditions and
General Resume.
Spe :ial to the Daily Progress.

Special to the Daily Progress.
Meridisn, Sept. 3.-During the
month of July and up to August 20,
the crop made rapid and favorable
progress, but since latter date consid-
earble deterioration has been noted in
nearly all sections,
Many complaints are heard in the
Atlantic States Of shedding. rust,
black root, failure to properly fruit,
and reports of fearful damages from
ravages OF boil worms and other in
sects in Texas and Arkansas
The crop is opening rapidIysat pres
ent, and being two to four weeks late,
this fact alone is the most convincing
evidence of deterioration sufficient to
upset all calculations of yield that
once looked probable. This crop
should never have commenced opening
freely before September 10, but in
stead should have continued fruiting
for ten days longer in order to pro-
duce crop that will undoubtedly be
needed the coming season. 1t is one
of the surest signs when hill lands
begin rusting and turning yellow,
and have its entire fruitage open from
fop to bottom, that nothing further
can be expected from its crop; on the
other hand, it is quite different with
bottom and prairie lands, as crops
upon such lands continue growing and
fruiting so long as showers are had
at proper intervals and it can be ex
pected from these lands good yield,
provided no early frost is had. Should
such an unfortunate disaster oyertake
the crop between the 9th and 10Th of
October, the yield Will be disappoint-
ingly small, and the total crop no.
where near the consumptive power of
the spindles.
Guesses or estimates as TO the size
OF crop at this season of the year are
absurd and ridiculous, but with late
frost, no further deterioration and
good gathering season, it is not un-
reasonable to expect eleven to twelve
and half millions. Neither one of
these figures would be excessive, and
it will be an extreme case should the
crop prove above eleven and one half.
1t is doubted by many we'll posted au-
thorit'es whether eleven and one halt
can be gathered, as so much laobr in
recent years has left the farms, seek
ing employment in cities.
To sum up the situation the writer
does not hesitate to say it is critical
and alarming. Increasing consump
tion, practically no supply ON hand
yield not exceeding eleven and one
quarter, price already at figures which
spinners claim are ON losing basi
to them, there would be only one con
clusion to draw, viz: a stoppage o
many thousand spindles.
1t will be remembered the write
last September forecasted a crop o1
nossibly 10, 800. 600; the figures givel
out by the New Orleans Exchang
proves the forecast practically correct
the actual figures being 10, 727, 900.
Spinners ought not to allow extrav
agant crop ideas promulgated by tn
9 people interested in depressing price
to again mislead them as they hav
so successfully done for the past fey
years. 1t is not probable the farme
will hurry his product to market a
he is in better shape financially tina
for years. With this idea in view
y together with the lateness of crop an
strong active demand it is not ami'
. to predict the smallest Septembe
Il movement for years and prices thi
will be satisfactory to the farmer
u Yours respectfully,
A. S. JOHNSON.