The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-01-20
ADVICE TO FARMERS
From Book Farmer Who Never
Planted an Acre.

He Believes that Organized EFFORT
Among tho Cotton Farmers
Will Raise the Prioe
When tile cotton crop OF 1904 was
ward to realizing 10 cents pound for
the crop, or thereabouts. 1t is quite
evident from the large portion of the
crop now heldi back from market that
there was little apprehension In the
minds Of the holders that the drop In
the market below 10 cents twas any.
thing but q temporary .situation.
They thought that there would soon
bee reaction, and were not prepared
for the regular descent, and finally
the decided plunge that followed the
November government report.
: While the present condition OF. the
market Is serious and discouraging,
perhaps the most serious problem is
yet In the future the prospects for
the r ext crop. We believe sthesfarm.
ers who have sold part of their last
years crop could stand the present
prizes for the remnant still in their
hands and would let the same 90 to
sale, II assured in regard to the mar
ket for the present years pros pective
crop. What should be done to cause
reaction and give assurance Of pay.
ing prices next fall. Is THE vital ques.
tion now awaiting an answer. 1t IS
evident that the bull influence is not
yet confident enough, aud strong
enough in that confidence. Sto effect
any considerable advance In pkices.
After considering the harious
schemes and plans for brIpglnA about
~ ION that will carry prizes to 81
81. IS, 1t seems obvious that all
mi that do otPirclude a
sebt:eu 1nation on ,|the part of
cottony growers -ce very materially
imit the area Of the next crop. Such
determination should take solid tan.
gible shape and not end in mere talk
and viva voce resolutions. The cot.
ton men who handle the Crop, the
manufacturers who work 1t up, and
all concerned In the trade, must have
substantial reason to believe that the
farmers are going to do what they
are reaoy to swear they will do. We
believe II such substantial, unques.
tionable assurance be carried home to
their convictions the price would i'm
ulcuiateiy c JmMenCe to advance. But
the danger to be feared In cs Sc the
market shall again be quoted at OF
10 cents before planting time, needs
but to be merely hinted at.
The farmers seem to be in earnest
this time In their purpose to cut down
the area. Each one is aLxious for
every other one to cut the area, and Is
willing 10 join in the cutting. Now,
how are the farmers acting together
TO convince the cotton world that
they mean business" that they are
determined, in good faith, to limit
the coming area in cotton more than
three-fourths Of the area OF last year?
We believe the reduction should be
greater than 35 per cent, not less than
33 per cent. Indeed we are not sure
that oDe-half the area of last year
will not yield more money next fall
than ary larger proportion.
at a reduction Of 25 per cent it
would I've comparatively easy thing
to reproduce the total output OF last
year BIZ throwing out the outlying
poorer soils and concentrating skill,
labor and fertilizers on the smaller
area. The very much more liberal
use Of fertilizers last year was more
largely responsible for the big crop
than Anything else within the iar1o-
ers' control. The good seasons pro-
badly mad more to do with it than
fertilizers, and seasons and liberal
fertilziag together were far more
Ii tlenlial than the Increased area
compared with previous years. And
yet some may think 1t inconsistent
and un rise not to insist on q greatly
diminis ned use OF fertilizers as well as
reduced area. Why not hope for,
pray for bad seasons, ( storms and
droughts and blight and ravaging In
sect enemies?
1t would be just as sensible to ad
wise the farmers &to!use old worn out
implements, to buy cheap, weakly
mules, to plant Inferior seed, etc.
Such policy would surely reduce the
cotton crop, but it would also Increase
the cost Of producing cotton What
the farmer should do is to largely
diminish the area. say 40 or SO per
cent on the acreage, plant only good
land, fertilize literally and make
better yield per acre, thus reducing
the cost OF production while at the
same time reducing the total amount
produced, and widening the margin
between the cost OF production and
the market price on both sides. The
strength Of this contention. is largely
In the fact that any farmer can adopt
the policy without waiting for the
operation OF any other farmer
Another strong feature is that such
"a policy is always In order-at all
times and in all places 1t is the fund
amental principle that underlics
scientific, intensive farming. Every
farmer should adopt 1t, and when
every farmer shall adopt it, all wills
have done go, and the cotton mile.
mum will have come and the ''coun.
try will be saved" 1t Is to be added
that this is no new gospel of good
farming" 1t is the "old, old story"
that has been preached by many tor
years and years and practiced by not
a few, to their profit, prosperity and
present serenity. 1t fiis into the
policy and practice OF diversified