Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-05-23
THE CROP SITUATION.
Farmers Who overplanted Have
Grassy Rows to Hoe.

Grassy Rows to Hoe.
Editor Yorkville Enquirer:
Those who read what l am going to
say will probably be inclined to think
I am pessimistic;. but the reverse Is
true, for no matter how gloomy the
prospect, l am always optimistic
silver lining.
It Is raining this morning and 1t has
been raining for four weeks. In fact
the ground has not been dry enough to
p!ow since the 25th of April. Conse-
Quently very few farmers finished
planting cotton and / know OF several
who have not planted any.
The stands of cotton are, or were,
perfect. and came up unusually healthy
and vigorous looking: but alas. Gen
eral Green has invaded the fields, and
now they look like meadow lands In
stead Of cotton fields.
There has been very little cotton
narrowed, and less chopped out. On
cold, sandy lands, 1t has died from
the excessive moisture. Some has been
plowed up and replanted, and what Is
left Is almost hidden from view by
the grass, and has become pale. stunt
ed and sickly looking. From the pres
ent prospects IT appears to me that 1t
will be impossible to produce more
than so per cent Of normal crop.
But let me go a little further and
take another view Of the situation. In
the first place when the Southern
Cotton association was formed. about
SO per cent of the farmers pledged
themselves to reduce the acreage
planted in cotton 25 per cent, and
about rs per cent Of them have stood
squarely by their pledge. About 15
per cent have planted the same as last
year, and the remaining 10 per cent
thought it would be good time to
beat the other fellow, and have in
creased their acreage from 10 to 80
per cent.
I believe this view will apply to the
whole of the cotton belt and here Is
where the SILVER lining" appears. 1t
is conceded by all intelligent and
thinking men that small crop brings
more money to the cotton planter
than a large one. In view Of the fact
that there is a surplus of from two to
three million bales, above the need OF
the manufacturers for the cotton year,
II there was a normal crop or say H.
100000 bales raised this year, the price
would unquestionably range very low.
The action therefore. of those who re-
mained true to their pledge, aided by
kind Providence In dispensing the
weather. has brought about condi-
ton wherein 1t will be impossible, q
think) to produce more than so per
cent Of full crop. How much less
depends on the weather conditions
from now on, and think that those
farmers who had the nerve to take
the bears by the tail, with double
and twisted grip, and held on to their
cotton, ought to feel congratulated
now, and will have occasion to rejoice
next foil that they did so.
The corn crop Is not In very much
better condition than the cotton crop.
There is not more than half a crop
planted, and I am afraid 1t Will be
neglected in trying to save the cotton.
But there Is time enough yet to make
full crop. It may be planted until
July 1st, and with favorable seasons
and the proper cultivation will make
good, sound, hard corn. And what q
chance to make peas! So ! say plant
peas, peas, peas, and then plant more
peas.
The wheat crop promises to be fair,
with more sown than last year. Oats
are fine. with the acreage considerably
increased over last year
So now. brother farmers cheer up.
and let us hope that the end Of the
year 1905 will find US In much better
condition financially than the present
gloomy prospect would lead us to ex-
pect. NJ. 8. CARROLL.
Filbert, No. 1, May %, 1905.