Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1905-12-20
DIVERsIFICATIoN VS.. OVER
PRODUCTION.

The Southern Cotton Association
:,yill not ask the farmers of the South
TO reduce the cotton acreage for 1906
less than that planted in 1905. The
Association does ask and Insist with
I'll the force at its command that the
average planted in cotton throughout
Sthe belt=ins19G5 be not increased dur
ing;the planting season of 1906. Let
sihewatchword Of every Southern far
iner be sDiversifcation, and through
that. agency produce an abundance Of
Food supplies to maintain each farm.
Permanent independence. thrift and
prosperity can only be enjoyed by
Southern cotton growers through the
adoption and maintenance Of sys-
TEN which will make each farm self
sustaining. 1t is the only medium
through which the present iniquitious
credit system which has so long held
our peojle in bondage, can be effec
lively broken up and relegated to the
past. 1t is the only medium through
which the great masses Of cotton pro-
ducers can ever hope to control the
sale Of their cotton in the markets
sof the country and force consumers
and buyers 70 pay them fair and just
prices for the staple. Any system
which forces the producer to market
his crops rapidly i'll order to meet ma
turing obligations to pay for supplies
that could be more chesp Fly raised at
home will ever tend to make a slave
Of the grower, minimizing the rights
Of manhood which every Southern cot
ton raiser should enjoy to the fullest
extent.
Over-Production q Serious Menace.
In spring, 1905. crisis serious and
potential faced the cotton growers OF
the South by reason of ovcr-produc-
ton of cotton in 1904. The Southern
Cotton Association at. that time waged
all active and effective campaign
for reduction in the cotton area of
be planted in 1905. The advice Of
the Association was loyalty supported
by cotton growers throuB>out the en-
tire cotton belt and reduction of
fully five million acres was stricken
. from the cotton area for 1905 and
planted in other crops. The result OF
this display of good judgment on the
part of the farmers is today seen i'll
bringing the production of cotton with
in the legitimate demands for con-
sumption, good prices for the staple
and well-flled corn cribs and smoke.
houses from North Carolina to the Rio
Grande River. The agricultural, COM
mercial, industrial and financial inter-
sests Of the South are today enjoying
an era Of prosperity far in excess Of
any period experienced within the
past half century. To maintain our
present position, and forge ahead in
the achievement Of greater success, it
is imperative that no serious mistake
be made by the planters who are now
making their: arrangements for the
spring planting of 1906. Let every
man pause and calmly consider his
future even while enjoying the flush
sof victory which has been the most
marvellous ever won in modern times.
ss1i. Present Acreage Sufficient.
The present estimated twenty-seven
million acres planted in cotton is suff-
scient:under normal climatic conditions
storraise enough cottonSto meet the de
5mands Of spinners for the American
staple. Any material increase in the
cotton acreage for 1906 will tend to
ystagnate the cotton market and de-
press prices below their legitimate
value. The legitimate laws of supply
and demand is the only true medium
of regulating fair and legitimate
prices for our great staple product.
The Southern Cotton Association thro
All its sources of strength and cooper
3ative mediums of disseminating infor-
nation to its loyal and patriotic sup
sLorters with an eye single to Tie fu-
tire prosperity oRs all cotton growers
4nd business Interests Of the South,
earnestly makes this appeal for b,ns;'.
sning tha splendid advantages that
sra p ls.ss LIy iyYarsIEl!s 1 agFis