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

The Southern Cotton Association
will not ask the farmers OF the South
to reduce the cotton acreage for 1906
less than that planted in 1908. The
Association docs ask and Insist with
III the-force at its command that the
average planted i'll cotton throughout
the belt in 1903 be not Increased dur
ing the planting season OF 1906. Let
the watchword of every Southern far
,ncr be Diversiication, and through
that agency produce al 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 4 sys-
tenn which will make each farm self
sustaining. 1t is the only medium
through which the present iniquitious
credit system Which has 50 long held
our pcojle in bondage, can be effee-
lively broken up and rele@atcd 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 III the markets
of the country and force consumers
and buyers to pay them fair and Just
prices for the staple. Any system
which forces the producer to market
his crops rapidly III order TO meet ma.
turing obligations TO pay for supplies
that could be more ciieaply raised at
home will ever tend 10 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 Serious Menace.
Iii spring, 1905. a crisis serious and
potential faced the cotton growers OF
the South by reason of ovcr-produc-
ton of cotton i'll 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 tlrous pout 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 OH the
part OF the farmers is today seen in
bringing The production OF cotton with
in the legitimate demands for con-
sumption, good prices for the staple
and well-filled curu cribs and smoke
houses from North Carolina TO the Rio
Grande River. The agricultural. COM
mercial, industrial and financial inter-
ests OF the South arc today enjoying
an era of prosperity far i'll excess Of
any period experienced within the
past half century. TO maintain our
present position, and forge ahead III
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
of victory which has been the most
marvellous ever won in modern times.
Present Acreage Sufficient.
The present estimated twenty-seven
million acres planted in cotton is sulli-
cient under normal climatic conditions
to raise enough cotton to meet the de-
mands Of spinners for the American
staple. Any material increase i'll the
cotton acreage for 1906 will tend to
stagnate 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 aud cooper
ative mediums of disseminating infor-
nation 10 its loyal and patriotic sup
-porters with an eye single to the fn-
tnre prosperity OF all cotton growers
Aand business interests of he South.
Earnestly makes this appeal for b,aad.
Aus the splendid advantages that
|lk r be ealaet! by 11;qeraiHel agrie