The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-12-21
DIVERSIFICATION VS.. OV E r
PRODUCTION.

The Southern Cotton Association
will not ask the farmers of the South
to reduce the cotton acreage foT l9O6
less than that r!ar'ed IN 1913. The
Association does ask ard insist with all
the force at It's command that the
acreage planted ia s,t0l throughout
the belt In 1905 be rot increased dur
Ing the planting seas ~ Ct 1916. Let
The watchword OF exc. =, $ !" hern farm
err e DIvERsIFICATfoN, a1d through
that agency produce an abundance
food supplies 20 maintain each farm
Permanent independence, thrift ana
prosperity can on,v be enjoyed by
southern cotton growers through the
adoption and maintenance OF system
which will make e..ch farm seitsus-
tanning. 1t is the only medium
through which the present ubiquitous
credit system, which has 80 long be'd
our people In bondage, can be effec-
lively broken up ara re:es to the
past. 1t is the ouly medium through
which the great masses OF cotton pre-
ducers can ever hope to control the
sale of their cotton IN 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 in order to meet maturing Oh
legations to pay for supplies that could
be more cheapIy raised at homo VIII
ever tend to make a slave OF the grower,
minimizing the rights OF manhood
which every Southern cotton raiser
should enjoy to the fullest extent.
OVER PRODUCTION A sERIOUN MENACE.
In the spring of 1903 crisis serious
and potential faced the cotton growers
OF the South by reason OF Over-produc-
ton OF cotton IN 1904. The Southern
Cotton Association at that time waged
an active and effective campaign tor
reduction IN the cotton area to be
planted in 1905. The advice OF the
Association was Loyalty supported by
cotton growers throughout the entire
cotton belt and a 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 to-day seen in bringing the
production of cotton within the legltI-
mate demands for consumption, good
prices for the staple and well-tilled corn
cribs and smokehouses from North
Carolina to the Rio Grande river. The
nj u! ind llI
and financial interests of the South are
to-day enjoying an era of prosperity
far in excess OF any period experienced
within the past half century. 70
maintain our present position, and
forge ahead in the achievement OF
greater successes, 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 sutli-
Client under normal climatic conditions
to produce enough cotton to meet the
demands of spluners1ior the American
staple. Any material increase n 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 through
all its sources OF strength and CO opera
tive mediums of disseminating infor-
nation to it's 10y al and patriotic sup
porters, with an eye single to the future
prosperity of all cotton growers and
business interests of the South, earn
estly makes this appeal for broadening
the splendid advantages that are to be-
gained by diversified agriculture on
Southern farms. Plant an abundance
of small grain, corn and side crops.
Raise more hay, cattle and hogs.
PEACE AND PLENTY.
let well.filled corn cribs and smoke
houses be the great bulwarks Of safety
between the farmers and the world of
trade with whom they have to deal.
Rotate your crops, intensity your acre.
age, ferti!ize literally, cultivate we'll.
produce plentifully On the acreage
planted and enjoy those rewards which
should be the fulsome portion of those
who till our Southern soils. Study
the possibilities of our soils and climate
and learn to appreciate and develop
the wonderful resources at our COM
mand in the field, garden and orchard
OF Southern agriculture. Become de-
positors in your banks rather than
borrowers. Get on cash basis SIS
rapidly as possible and break up the
ruinous credit system which in the
past has been so fatal to cotton growers.
AS Southern farms become each year
more self-sustaining under the adop-
ton Of a diversified and intensive sys-
tenn OF culture and proper rotation of
crops the growers OF the South's great