The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-06
ACREAGE
Convention Statistics In
dictate Over 25 Per
Cent Reduction.

The Wake County Cotton Associa
ton held it's convention in the court
house yesterday morning. for the pur-
centage of cotton acreage reduction in
the county. The inclement weather
prevented several townships from be-
ing represented, but the delegates and
canVaSsers present exhibited enthusi-
asm in the cause, and a marked deter
mination to carry out the provisions
of the pledge signed by hundreds of
farmers in the county. At the meeting
yesterday nearly two hundred new
names were added to the list of sign
ers.
The reports from the delegates and
canvassers indicated that the decrease
in Wake county in cotton acreage tins
year will be between twenty-five and
thirty per cent. Several townships re-
ported reductions larger than thirty
per cent, and the average as twenty
eight per cent.
President Green made an encourag-
ing talk on the report of the farm
ers, and urged them to continue in
their professed faith, and win more
farmers to the cause.
Mr.. l.. Il. Wyatt, chairman of the
Raleigh Township Cotton Growers
and Business Mems Association read
a letter from friend in Texas, stating
that the reduction in that State would
be large, and that the growers were
strongly banded together. and were
clinging to their purpose, and would
hold their cotton until the price
agreed upon, ten cents per pound,
could be obtained.
Those present at the convention yes
terday were also determined to hold
their cotton, and accept nothing less
than ten cents per pound.
The State Farmers Alliance is CO.
operating with the Southern Cotton
Association, and Mr., T. b. Parker,
secretary of the Alliance, is taking a
leading part in the campaign in this
State He spoke at the convention and
said that every Southern farmer is
deeply interested in this crop and the
present agitation for higher prices. Be
this said to their credit. none are more
loyal, nor are standing more firmly by
the resolutions passed at the New Or
leans Cotton Growers Convention than
the members of the Alliance They
are exempIifying the sticking qualities
that a great many others do not seem
to possess
He said it is evident that a great
many are selling cotton. regardless of
the resolutions that have been passed
to hold for higher prices, but those
who are selling do not belong to the
Alliance, except possibly some few
who are compelled by circumstances
to sell, and of course under such con-
ditions they are justified in disposing
of their cotton.
He said i'm part: Notwithstanding
the heavy receipts cotton refuses to
materially decline i'm price. This is
largely due to the belief in the reduc-
ton of acreage. All the reports that
| am getting from the different parts
of the State indicate the reduction
will be at least % per cent. and in
some instances more. The farmers of
Texas, and possibly some other States.
may not do so well i'm the way Of re-
ducing the crop. but the farmers of
North Carolina will do their full duty
i'm this respect If the Texas farmers.
or those of any other State want to
play fool and break their necks that
is no reason WHY our North Carolina
farmers should want to do likewise.
There are so very many crops that we
can raise 10 advantage, there is no eX-
cuse for planting every acre in cotton.
A big crop of corn, hay. peas, pota-
toes, meat etc. would come in mighty
handy and be a good thing for our
people at this time. At any rate 1t
would be much better than five cent
cotton"