The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-01-20
ADVICE TO FARMERS s
From a Book Farmer Who Ncve,
Planted an Acre.

- a
He Believes that Organized sEnort
Among the Cotton Farmers
VIII Raise the Prioe
When the cotton crop of 1904 was
being planted the farmers looked for.
ward TO realizing 10 cents a pound for
the crop, or thereabouts. It is quite
evident from the large portion of tie
crop now held iback from market that
there was little apprehension In the
minds OF the holders that the drop In
the market below 10 cents twas any.
thing but q temporary ssituation.
They thought that there would soon
be- reaction, and were not prepared
for the regular descent, and finally
the decided plunge that followed the
November government report.
: While the present condition OF the
market Is serious and discouraginR,
perhaps the most serious problem is
yet In the future the prospects, for
the rext crop. We believe thessfarm.
ers who have sold part of their last
years crop could stand the present
prics 8 for the remnant still in their
hands and would let the same 20 to
sale, II assured in regard to the mar.
ket for the present years pros pective
crop. What should be done to cause
reaction and give assurance Of pay.
Ing prices next fall, is NIhe vital cues.
tion now awaiting an answer. 1t Is
evident that the bull Influence Is not
yet confident enough, aRd strong
enough In that confidence, ITO effect
any considerable advance in Mices.
After considering the arious
schemes and plans for bripglDR about
aESion that will carry prfEes to 9
sSss, 1t seems obvious that all
~ Nil that do notYirclude a
sett:ed1' ination on 1.-THE part OF
cott on growers .ce very materially
init the area Of the next crop. Such
determination should take solid tan.
gible shape and not end in mere talk
and viva voce resolutions. The cot.
ton men who handle tho CROP, the
manufacturers who work 1t up, and
all Concerned in the trade, must have
substantial reason to believe that the
farmers are going to do what they
are ready to swear they will do. We
| believe II such substantial, unques.
| tionable assurance be carried home to
their convictions the price would I'M
mediately Commence to advance. But
the danger to he feared in ca Sc the
iua kts shall again be quoted at or
10 cents before planting time, needs
but to be merely limited at.
The farmers seem to be in earnest
this time In their purpose to cut down
the area. Each one Is aLx!ous for
every other one to cut the area, and Is
willing 10 join in the cutting. Now
how are the farmers acting together
TO Convince the cotton world that
they mean business" that they are
oelermi ned, in good faith, to limit
the coming area in cotton more than
three-fourths Of the area OF last year?
We believe the reduction should be
greater than 35 per cent, not less than
33 per cent. Indeed we are not sure
that oDe-half the area OF last wear
will not yield more money next fall
than ar larger proportion.
AT a reduction Of % per cent it
would he comparatively easy thing
to reproduce the total output OF last
year b7 throwing out the outlying
poorer soils and concentrating skill,
labor and fertilizers on the smgller
area. The very much more liberal
use OF fertilizers last year was more
largely responsible for the big crop
than Anything else within the farfo-
ers' control. The good seasons pro-
badly nad more to do with it than
fertilizers, and seasons and liberal
fertilizi1g together were far more
ia 70
compared with previous years. And
yet some may think it Inconsistent
and un rise not to insist on a greatly
diminis 1ed use OF fertilizers as well as
reduced area. Why not hope for,
pray for bad seasons, storms and
droughts and blight and ravaging In.
sect enemies?
1t would be just as sensible to ad.
wise the farmers to use old worn out
Implements ito Luy cheap, weakly
mules, TO plant Inferior seed, etc.
Such policy would surely reduce the
cotton crop, but 1T would also Increase
the cost of producing cotton. What
the farmer should do is to largely
diminish the area. say 40 or SO per
cent on the acreage, plant only good
land, fertilize literally and make
better yield per acre, thus reducing
the cost OF production while at the
same time reducing the total amount
produced, and widening the margin
between the cost Of production and
the market price on both sides. The
strength Of this contention is largely
In the fact that any farmer can adopt
the policy without waiting for the
cooperation OF any other farmer.
Another strong feature ia that such
a policy is always in order-at all
times and In all places. 1t Is the fund.
amental principle that underlics
scientific, intensive farming. Every
farmer should adopt 1t, and when
every farmer shall adopt it, all will
have done 50, and the cotton mile.
mum will have come and the 'coun.
try will be saved" 1t Is to be added
that this is no new gospel of good
farming" 1t Is the odd old story
that has been preached by many tor
years and years and practced by not
a few, to their profit, prosperity and
present serenity. 1t fits into the
policy and practice OF diversified
IA Of