The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-04-08
OUTLOOK FOR COTTON.

Reports Indicate Late Planting and a De-
cfded Decrease in Acreage and
Sales of Fertilizers.
..Dun's Review
Dispatches to Dun's Review from
branch Offices of B. G. Dun & Co., To-
Gated in the cotton belt, Indicate that
the reduction il acreage this year will
not equal early expectations, but there
is singular unanimity regarding the
decreased use of fertilizers, and smaller
sales of mules, implements and other
plantation supplies. An average OF
estimates makes the falling off in pur-
chases OF fertilizer about 20 per cent.
Weather conditions have been much
less uniform, some sections expecting
that planting will be several weeks
late, while at other points an early
crop is anticipated. Farmers are in
strong financial condition as rule.
but many dealers and factors will be
conservative in making advances be-
cause of large stocks of old cotton
that cannot be disposed of proftably.
Labor is scarce and commanding good
wages in most states, but a few reports
indicate that farm hands are available
in large numbers. In Texas some
counties report the outlook bright for
the new crop, the enormous yield just
secured reducing alarm regarding boil
weevi1. One dispatch states that cold,
wet weather has delayed farm work
and the demand for implements is
lighter than usual, while farm hands
are scarce at some points and numer-
Gus elsewhere. Although farm stocks
are large, much of this cotton was sold
at seven cents or more, and movement
is only delayed by soft roads. Mis-
souri, and Arkansas dispatches record
a loss of 20 per cent in sales of fertil-
izers, 25 per cent in probable acreage,
and an increase of 80 per cent in
stocks of old cotton. Planting will be
three weeks later than last year and
labor is less scarce. Georgia reports
show little reduction in acreage unless
planters find difficulty in securing adj
vances from factors, who are over
loaded with old cotton. The labor
question is considered as serious,
owing to extension of other Industries.
While original orders for fertilizers
were normal, cancellations are antiei-
pated. South Carolina expects sales of
fertilizers and other supplies about Is
per cent less, but acreage maintained.
Financial conditions are strong, al
though stocks are still large. The
weather is favorable for early plant
ing. Tennessee reports a reduction of
30 per cent in sales of fertilizers, and
planting later than usual, but finances
good and little reduction in acreage
Stocks in the hands of coun-
try mercha ants and planters are 100 per
cent larger than they were a year ago.
Virginia dispatches indicate Is per
cent less in sales of fertilizers and 20
per cent in acreage. The weather is
and the last crop was not
for factors. Stocks are still
large and there is no disposition to
sell.
New Orleans reports a heavy de-
crease in purchas of fertilizers COM
pared with last year. 1t is estimated |
BY manufacturers that the decrease in
sales will amount to Is per cent. Pur
,hases of mules and other live stock
will not amount to more than 25 or 30
Der cent of what they were year ago.
W Gather conditions have been very I'M
adorable for early planting. Every
Indication points to a material de-
rease in cotton acreage. Land in the
ugar section which was planted last
ear in cotton will be planted in cane
his year. Farmers in all sections are
cutting great deal more of their land
. corn than heretofore, and this of
tself will cause decrease. The de-
rease in planting is variously esti-
mated from 10 to Is per cent. Planters
S a rule are in fairly good financial |
ondition. Most of them are not in
ebt to any extent, but very few have
much in the way of cash resources and
rill be dependent upon what money
hey can borrow to make their crop.
he cotton factors are all in good f.
ancial condition, though they have
ad to carry over larger balances than
Or many years, most of which is due
som small country merchants whose
redit is being m materially restricted,
nd these small merchants, who usu-
lily make large advances to planters,
re not in position to put out as much
loney as heretofore. Commission
lerch ants and bankers are scrutiniz-
lg credits very closely and aresre-
5ricting their accounts. Labor is
earce in most sections, although in
0me portions it is in fair supply.
tocks in interior towns where there
re congresses and warehouses are
UGH larger than last year and there
also more cotton in the hands of
,rmers and in small towns. l.
Shreveport reports crop conditions
rec weeks late. Acreage in that sec
on will be decreased 20 to Is per
ut. Fertilizer purchases are fully