The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1905-06-08
JUNE COTTON THE DANGER LINE.

lnefe Is no doubt but what the
cotton acreage has been largely re-
/ duced all over the cotton belt, The
Southern Cotton Association estimate
place the reduction at lS.43 per cent.
4 Unfavorable weather conditions have
reinforced the efforts of the South
ern Cotton Association, and brought
| the acreage to standard about
right for profitable crop, Heavy
June planting, however. can easily
run the acreage up to a height that
would be dangerous in view of the
great surplus to be carried over from
this crop. We should not lose sight
Of the importance of keeping the
acreage within the bounds of lS.43.
This per cent Of reduction with the
very low conditions prevailing over
the greater portion of the belt, will
be equivalent to 25 per cent under
ordinary fair conditions. The bear
element is confidently reckoning on
heavy late planting. They argue
that thousands of farmers in every
cotton state. deferred from planting
their usual crop by unfavorable
weather conditions, are now putting
in the deficit, and will have a full
acreage above ground by the 10th of
June. If these predictions prove
true another large crop is entirely
possible this year. Low conditions
early in the season do not always re-
suit ina short yield. Instances to
the contrary are we'll known in the
history Of cotton culture. Notably
the Texas crop in 1900, and that of
Georgia the year preceding. There
are doubtless other exceptions but
these are recalled. Present condi-
tions could be so far changed by sub
sequent favoring seasons as to bring
about even better results tn an were
experinced last year, producing anoth-
er bountiful crop of cotton and, |
fear, of debt and disappointment as
we'll. There is safety only In a ten
million bale crop. This amount added
to the surplus will afford ample sup
ply for the demand, even under the
most favorable trade conditions.
That much may not be marketed at
fancy figures, but at least s cents
will be realized, Daniel Sully, the
great bull leader is quoted as saying
that if held within that limit, ten
cents is the minimum Of his expecta-
tion for middling.
We can infer what a II or l3,O00,-
900 bale crop will be worth another
year hY comparison Of price existing
now and those prevailing in February
of styear. Cotton has been selling
for about 7 IA cent in the home mar
kets during the months Of February
and March, and from 7 IA to s cents
during April and May, and but for the
New Orleans convention and the con-
sequent apprehension felt by cotton
buyers that its recommendations
might be adopted by the growers and
the next crop materially reduced, |
am satisfied that cotton would have
been selling for 5 cts. and under. In
1898 under the influence of much
smaller surplus than the one now esti-
mated to be on hand, cotton went at
4 IL cts. to the planter On the
other hand cotton sold in our local
markets during the months of Feb |
ruary and March 1904 at an average
of about Is cts, a showing much in
favor of the small crop. 1t is con-
culsive, from this bit of cotton histo- |
ry, that should the growers increase
their present acreage by a heavy
June planting and, with the surplus, |
oyer-run the market with another
bumper crop, cotton may make new
record in it's history, and go lower |
than the most sanguine Bear could
hope for. Can any sensible man who
contemplates increasing his cotton
acreage consider unmoved the danger
of the situation confronting him? |
Has he learned nothing from exper-
ience, nothing from practical demon
stration of truth, and will he pass it |
by as unworthy of note valuable les
sons taught by such experience and
demonstration? If he knows any
thing at all he knows he must either
produce less cotton than in 1904 or
lose the fruits of his land, labor and |
capital, for the next twelve months |.
if his embarrassments extend no fur
ther.
Only season of general unfavor-
able conditions could save him from |
the results of his folly.