The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-12-20
Diyersifcation 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 plaujed in 1908. The
Association does ask and insist with
all the force at its command that the
acreage planted in Gotten throughout
tie pelt III 1875 be not increased dur
ing the planting season of 1906 Let
the watcnword of every southern far
ner be DiverSi6cation, and through
tnat agency produce an abundance
fcod supplies to maintain each farm.
permanent independence, thrift and
prosperity can only be enjoyed by
southern cotton growers through the
adoption and maintenance of a system
which will make each farm self.sus-
tanning. 1t is the only medium
through which the present. in.quitous
credit system, which has so long held
our people in bondage, can be effect
lively broken up and relega.ed 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 tne 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 ma
turing obligations to pay for supplies
that could be more cheaply raised at
home will ever tend to make slave
of the grower, minimizing the rights
of manhood which every southern cot
ton raiser should enjoy to the fullest
extent.
In the spring Of 1905 crisis serious
aud potential faced the cotton growers
of the South By reason of over-pro-
ductlon Of cotton in 1904. The South
ern Cotton Association at that time
waged an active and effective cam
paign for a reduction in the cotton
area to be planted in 1905. The ad-
vice Of the Association was Loyalty
supported by cotton growers through
out the entire cotton belt and re-
duction 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 judg-
ment on the part of the farmers is
today seen in bringing the produc-
tion of cotton within the legitimate
demands fer consumption, good prices
for the staple and well-6lled corn
cribs and smokehouses from North
Carolina to the Rio Grande River.
The agricultural, commercial, indus
trial and financial interests of the
south are today enjoying all era Of
prosperity faf in excess of any period
experienced within the past half CEN
ton, and fc:ge ahead in the achieve
ment ofRreater successes, it is imper-.
atiye that no serious mistake be made
by the planters who are now making
their arranements for the spring
planting OF 1905. Let every man
pause and calmly consider his future
even while enjoying the flush of a
victory which has been the most mar
velous ever won in modern times.
The present estimated twenty-seyen
million acres planted in cotton is
sufficient under normal climatic con-
ditions to produce enough cotton to
meet the demads of spinners for the
American staple. Any material in
crease in the cotton acreage for 1906
will tend to stagnate the cotton mar
ket and depress prices below their
legitimate value. The legitimate
laws of supply and demand is the only.
true medium of regulating fair and
legitimate prices fer our great staple
product. The Southern Cotton Asso-
citation through all it's sources of
strength and cooperative mediums of
disseminating. information to it's loyal
and patrltlc supporters, with an eye
single to the future prosperity of all
cotton growers and business interests
of the south, earnestly makes this
appeal for broadening the splendid
aovantaees that are to be ga aned by
diversified agriculture on soutIern
farms. Plant an abundance OF small
graih, corn and side crops. Raise
more hay, cattle and hogs
Let we'll filled corn cribs and smoke
boases be the great bulwarks Of safety
between the farmers and the world
of trade with whom they have to deal.
Rotate your crop, intensity your acre
age fertilize literally, cultivate we'll,
produce plentifuliy on the acreage
planted and enjoy those rewards
which should be the fulsor,e portion
of those who ill cur southern soils.
OlUCJ tDC VI OIE SOILS ana
climate and learu to appreciate and
develop the wonderful resources at
our command III the field, garden and
orchard OF soothern agriculture. Be-
come depcsittrs IN your bank rather
than borrowers. Get on a cash basis
as rapidly as possible and break up
the ruiuous credit syskeu, which Ia
the past has been so fstal to cotton
oro~e-s. AS southern farms become
eacn year more seIf-susta uing uaoer
the adoption of diversified aad in
telsi,e system of culture and proper
rotation OF crops, TIE growers OF the
south great >taple can quickly regu-
late It's marketing to meet vhe ieeiti-
mate demands of consumlt ltion and
maintain its price at such figures as
will always give to the producer a
profit on It's production. Build ware
honses with your surplus noney, and
secure adequate stctage facilities for
tbs proper banding CT ycur cotton III
the markets of the couEtry Let Us
reach out and broaden the markets
and uSpS for American q. ttOn i,et