Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1905-12-20
DIVERSItICAriON VS.. OVER
PRODUCTION.

|
The Southern Cotton Association
Will not ask the farmers of the South
to reduce the cotton acreage for 1906
less than that planted in 1898. The
Association does ask and insist with
all the force at its command that The
average planted in cotton throuohout
the belt in 1905 be not increased dur
ing the planting season of 1906. Let
the watchword of every Southern far
mer be Diversitication. and through
that agency produce an abundance OF
food supplies to maintain each farm.
Permanent mdepenlence. thrift and
prosperity can only be enjoyed bv
Southern cotton growers through the
adoption and maintenance of sys-
ten which will make each farm self
sustaining. 1t is the only medium
through which the present iniquitious
credit system which has so long held
our peojlc i'll bondage. can be effec-
lively broken up and relegated to the
past. 1t Is the only medium through
which the great masses OF cotton pro-
ducers can ever hope 10 control the
sale of their cotton in the markets
OF the country and force consumers
and buyers to pay them fair and lust
prices for the staple ANY system
which forces the producer 10 market
his crops rapidly il order to meet ma
turing OBLIGATIONS To pay tor supplies
that could be more cheaply raised ut
home will ever tend 10 make slave
of the grower, minimizing the rights
of manhood which every Southern cot
| ton raiser should enjoy To the fullest
| extent
Over r-Production Serious Menace.
In sprung, 1903. crisis serious and
potential faced the cotton growers of
| the South by reason OF over-produc-
ton OF cotton in 1904. The Southern
| Cotton Association ut that time wa@ed
an active and effective campaign
FOR reduction III the cotton area of
be planted in 1908. The advice of
the Association was Loyalty supported
| by cotton growers throughout the en-
tire cotton belt and Il reduction OF
| fully five million acres was stricken
| from the cotton area for 1908 and
planted III other crops The result of
this display of good judgment on the
part of the farmers is today seen in
! bringing the production of cotton with
in the legitimate demands for con-
| sumption, good prices for the staple
and wel!-iilled corn cribs ana smoke
| houses from North Carolina TO the Rio
| Grandc River. The agricultural, com.
mercial, industrial and financial inter
ests of the South are today cniovins
an era of prosperity far III excess of
any period experienced within the
past half century. To maintain om
| present position, ana forge ahead in
the achievement OF greater success. il
Is imperative that no serious mistake
be made by the planters who are now
making their arrangements for tho
spring planting of 1906. Let every
man pause and calmly consider his
future even while enjoying the flusl.
of victory which has been the most
marvellous ever won III modern times.
Present Acreage Sufficient.
The present estimated twenty-seven
million acres planted III cotton is sul1i-
cient under normal climatic conditions
to raise enough cotton to meet the de
mands of spinnerS for the American
staple. Any material increase III the
cotton acreage for 1906 will tend tc
stagnate the cotton market and de.
press prices below their legitimate
value. The legitimate laws of supply
and demand is the only true medium
"t regulating fair and legitimate
p1ces for our great staple product
The Southern Cotton Association thro
all ITS sources Of strength and cooper
ative mediums of disseminating infor
nation to lis loyal and patriotic sup.
porterS with an eye single to the fu
ture prosperity of all cotton growers
and business interests of the South
earnestly makes this appeal for broad
ening the splendid advantages that
are to be gained by diversified aeri.
culture on Southern farms. Plant an
abundance of small grain. corn and
side crops. Raise more hay. cattle
and hogs.