The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1905-10-21

The size OF a cotton crop is some
what like political canvass in that
both can be manipulated by figures SO
as to arrive at desired quOtient. A
bull" and a "bear" can take the
same crop reports and published sta
tiStics as the basis OF calculations and
demonstrate, without design, differ
ence of over a million bales in the size
Of cotton crop.
The Planters Journal has been
doing little figuring on its own ac-
count, and as it does not desire to mis-
lead itself, it has tried to be impartial
leaning neither to the one side nor
to the other, and the conclusion ar
rived at is that il the grower receives
less than ten cents net per pound, his
market is working below the legiti-
mate plane Of supply and demand.
The writer, like the old woman who
felt things in her bones, has an intui-
tiOn that the present weakness OF the
market is the result OF corresponding
weakness of the seller.
But there is a SOunder basis than
intuition for the opinion that the
price of cotton will yet rise above the
minimum price set by the cotton aSSO-
citation. 1t is based upon careful
study of the cotton situation as gath
cred from various sources of informa-
tiOn. Ofaverage cotton growers, some
have not the inclination Or time OF
means to investigate for themselves
and we will either have to rely upon
the opinion of others or else to jump
10 a conclusion.
Members OF the Southern Cotton
Association, in such a predicament,
had better rely upon the recommends
tion of the Executive Committee,
which after carefully going over the
ground put price which they be-
lieve could be maintained ii their ad-
vice were followed. The real situa-
tion now seems to be growing in favor
of high prices and il the members of
the Cotton Association and of the Far
merS' tnion will hold hard together
there may still be demand sufficient,
after the impatient and the impecun-
eouS have parted with their holdings
to cause a reaction in price to amply
reward them.
OF course, to bring about this de-
Sira5le conSummation it will be neceS-
sary for all those who profess and call
themselves members Of the Southern
Cotton Association and OF the Farm
ers' Union to hold together in such u
movement.
The present situation emphasizes
the necessity of more extended and
more thorough organization of farm
erS. Under such condition they
would be masters Of the situation and
in condition to be a factor in fixing
prices. Growers, who have maturing
obligations to meet or from other
cause need ready cash, may very nat
urally hesitate, and fear to risk the
market, and under ordinary condi-
tiOnS it is safer to sell, with green
weights, whenever one feels that he
is receiving q fair remuneration for
his yearly efforts.
The question is presented to each
grower who proposes to act independ-
emily in selling his crop, will less than
ten cents per pound be an adequate
and proper remuneration for the pres
ent crop, and if he will be satisfied
with such price when by cooperative
action in marketing, in accordance
with the recommendation of the EX-
ecutive Committee Of the Cotton
Growers Association, he has reason
able assurance Of receiving Il higher
price ce.-Plapters Journal.