Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1904-05-11


Of Commerce Of the New York University on the
sSources Of COttOn Supply" That portion treating
OF the ability of the Uniten States to produce large
" increased supply Of cotton has not received the
publicity which it deserves.
The principal countries which produce more cot
ton than needed for home consumption and export
the surplus Of their annual crops to meet the re-
Ouirements OF the cotton spinneTs Of Europe, are,
in the order Of their importance, the United States,
Egypt India and Brazil.
AS to Egypt, assuming by reason OF irrigation
that there will be an increase in the Egyptian acre
age Of 500, 900 acres. which is % per cent OF the
present cultivated area. and that cotton will get
third OF it. or 50O 600 acres this would add about
25O 900 bales to the present cotton yield Of Egypt
This would probably mark the maximum Of Egypt
/ ian cotton crop for some years to come.
As to India, there is abundance OF suitable
land which could be added to the area now devoted
to cotton, and while some extension OF cotton culti
walton may be expected it seems quite eviient tnat
the increased production will soon he folly absorb
ed by the growing requirements OF the Indian and
Japanese cotton mills.
Brazil produces the equivalent Of about 25O,OOO
bales Of cotton Of 500 pounds net weight, but the
greater part Of it is consumed By Brazilian cotton
mills and the remainder is exported to Enrope
While there is a large quantity Of land IN Brazil
suitable for cotton the rainfall is to great near the
coast while in the interior it is uncertain and IN
MANY sections entirely insufficient. The conditions
are therefore, not favorable for extension OF cot
ton culture 10 Brazil beyond the requirements Of the
Brazilian mills.
There is no danger to Southern cotton from these
sources and as to China, the entire crop IN that
country Is consumed ct home. The production OF
China and Corea is estimated as equal TO about
1900 900 bales OF 500 pounds net. The quality Of
Chinese cotton s undesirable, the nber being coarse
ard harsh and quite short. The quantity prOduce0
in China does not affect the worlds commerce OF
the interests Of European spinners IN the slightest de-
gree.
All the cotton grown in Russia and its depend
encies is consumed at home and does not supply tne
demand. At present the Asiatic provinces furnish
about one third Of the quantity Of cotton consumed
by the Russian spinners.
About 100 900 bales Of fairly good cotton OF very
inferior 0uaiitY are grown in Japan, but the entire
production is consumed in the respective countries.
japan imports cotton for her mills from India, the
United States and China while Mexico imports 30,
600 to 60 900 bales annually from the United States
Cotton cultivation in Japan is steadily diminishing
and there are no present indication in Mexico.
AS to the possibilities Of the United states, Mr.
SheppersOn goes 0n to show that according to the
last United States census there embraced in 1895
in the occupied farms OF our Southern States Eek
elusive Of Virginia and Missouri where but ittl cot
ton is grown, 3OS 200 900 acres Of which quantity
go 500, 900 acres we're OF improved land, by which
is meant land which has been prepared for for cul
tivatiOn. The area devoted to cotton was "a 200
600 acres, being 26 per cent Of the land actually
under cultivation and only per cent OF the entire
acreage Of the farms. There also vast quantities
OF land which are not yet occupied iarms bu
which will be used as population increases.
The farms Of Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas Iadlau
Territory and Oklahoma had then 10000 600 acres
OF improved land, Of which only 600 acrel
we're devoted to cotton. New land is being eonstant
~ brought under cultivation il this Territory and
the soil is most productive in the Southern sates.
It is probable that these five States and Territories
" have now az least 40. 100000 aereag Of imOr0Vpd
! land, and they have the requisite area, soil and
climate to enable them 70 produce as much cotton
7 as is now grown in the entire country.
This sort OF talk very encouraging. and. coming
+ from man who has made profound study q the
question, must open the eyes Of the world 70 the
value Of Southern lands. Il is our destiny to
+ cothe the world.