Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-04-12
WALHALLA, u. q. (:
WEDNESDAY. APRIL 10, 1905.
THE REDUCTION OF COTTON ACREAGE.

tho effect that there would not be re-
duction of cotton acreage by the farmers
of the South, brings forth very strong
and forceful statement by President
Smith, of the Southern Cotton Growers
Association, in which no denies tho asser-
tions of Mr.. Brabham. and gives facts and
figures to show that tho farmers are
standing firm in their determination to
cut their cotton acreage and devote more
land to the production of other crops.
On the second page of this issue of The
Courier will be found President Smiths
statement and other articles pertaining
to this subject, which means so much,
not alone to the farmers, but to the
South as whole, irrespective of occupa-
tion or profession.
There mas been much said of late in
regard to the meaning Of the large sale
of tax tags to manufacturers of fertili-
zers, and in some quarters it has been
construed to indicate weakening in the
ranks of tho farmers, and that they are
preparing for another mammoth crop of
cotton. Incorporated in President
Smiths article there is letter from II.
M. Stackhouse, secretary Of the fertilizer
department, which goes to show that the
sale of tax tags has little bearing on the
situation as to the actual movement of
fertilizers. We quote from this letter:
"The amount, however, is not less
than stated, and about the same as last
year; we think at least $4,000 of this
comes from increased sales (of tax tags)
for cotton seed meal which for stock
food pays the tax this season for the
first time. Then the salesmen and manu-
tacturers of fertilizers say that, antic-
pating orders, they supply themselves
with tags, knowing that if not needed
they can be redeemed, and thoy admit
aggregate sales to date considerably less
than last year. So you correctly say
these sales are not reliable indication of
the amount of fertilizers really used"
So much for the sale of tax tags. 1t
indicates nothing definitely, for if the
tags are not used by the manufacturer
they can be redeemed. Therefore the
manufactures does not buy what he actu-
ally needs, but in sufficient quantities to
meet the demands on "a basis of last
years supply. Then, too, tags are re-
quired this year for ''stock food" Cotton
seed meaO, and Secretary Stackhouse
estimates that fully $4,000 of the tags
sold this year have been bought for the
purpose of complying with the new tax
requirements rs to cotton seed meal.
In regard to the more important ques-
tion-the reduction Of acreago-Prcsi-
dent Smith quotes extracts from letters
from various sections of the South, and
each gives strong evidence that the pro-
posed reduction of - per cent is being
adhered to by tho planters, and in some
sections the reduction exceeds that
amount We take it that his information
is correct. lie is in touch with the
planters and has in his possession the
figures and statements that show con-
diuon just the reverse of the opinion
expressed by Mr.. Brabham. Certainly
he is in better position to arrive at
correct conclusion than Mr.. Brabham;
yet granting that ho has no advantage
in this respect, he has q far weightier
argument in his favor--.the fact that it is
a vital question with the cotton pro-
ducer, and that, were Mr. Brabham's
statement correct, it would mean that
the farmer is courting ruin for himself
in the fall of 1908. 1t is hardly probable
NidI suCu 10 Jlc CdSo NlJn InuCn OF
last years crop of cotton still in the
hands of the producer and the price
already down below the profit mark, it
would bc the height of folly to plant
crop sufficiently large to keep the plice
down.
In the report of ex-senator John l..
McLauren's address TO the farmers of
sumter there are some wholesome bits
oE truth and advice, and we produce
here few sentences to give them addi-
tional prominence. AS words of warn
ing, sound advice and stimulus to the
farmer TO stand his ground, we deem
chem worthy of reproduction here. H.
says in part:
1t is n good thing for
man or people to look the truth squarely
III the face, to see things as they are, not
as pictured by vanity, ,.mbition or a dis
ordered imagination. We live
III day of combination and organiza-
tion. Every business i'm the United
states is organized except the cotton
planter, and now, i'll sclf.dcfcnsc we are
beng forced TO act in concert. 81
The balance of the world is a consumer
of our raw cotton, and is therefore com
Djned to get our product as cheap as
possible. You can only meet organiza-
ton with organization. All other in
dnstrics through combination fix the
prlce of their products. This coat that
chants store until paid his price for IT,
He fixed the price without consulting
me. The becf trust fixed the price of
nv meat, tho coal trust of nv fucl thc