The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-11
THE AREA FOR 1906
HARvIE JORDAN ISSUES ADDRESS
 AS TO AREA.
President of Southern Association De- Clares That Farmers Are Arbi-
 ters of Their Future E0rfUneN.

What shall the cotton area of the South be in 1906? This question can be asked by anyone. It can alone be .defi- nitely and correctly answered by that great army Of cotton growers, who will solve the problem for themselves and the world within the next 90 days. The great Cotton Convention, which met at New Orleans, La, Janu ary 11-13, 1906, and the Executive Committee of the Southern Cotton As sociation. which convened at the same place on January 18th, both harnoni- ously and without dissenting voice, passed and recommended the follow ing resolution: Relieving that the 25 per cent. re- ductiou in cotton acreage, recommend" ed and insisted upon by the Southern Cotton Association at it's meeting, at New Orleans, La, year ago was em inently wise and saiutary, this com mittee suggests with all the insistence at it's command that for the year 1906 the Cotton Association endeavor to continue that work, to theend that the original 25 per cent reduction from the acreage of 1904 may be accom- plished in the year 1906."
 It is generally admitted that the re- duction in cotton acreage for 1905 amounted to an average of Is per cent. The demand for full reduction of 25 per cent. from the enormous area plant ed in 1904 would mean that we must still further reduce the area planted in 1906 from that of 1905 at least 10 per cent. Those farmers who reduced their cotton acreage % per cent. last year will not be asked to reduce again this year. but they will be expected to hold their acreage down to that planted last year. Those farmers who did not reduce last year are expected to cut their acreage 25 per cent this year. The man who reduced Is per cent last year. is expected to cut his acreage another ten per cent this year. In other words, 1t Is imperative that the cotton area planted on every farm in the South this year shall be at least 25 per cent less than that planted in the Spring of 1904.
 This Is easily understoond and should be strictly carried into practical op- eration if the advice of the best brains from leading Southern farmers, the Southern Cotton Association and the perils of overproduct1on are to be needed. The farmers are generally getting into a position of thrift and in- | dependence. This is due to the fact | that for the past few years, with but | one exception, the crops of cotton | grown, have not materially exceeded | the demands for consumption, and | fairly good prices have prevailed.
 DIversihcatiOn the WatchwOOd.
 1laL the area III COLlOu id5b year was too large there can be no question of doubt But tor the bad climatic conditions prevailing in the southwestern states. we would have produced over 12,000,000 bales and suf- fered a tremendous depression in prices. With the area planted in 1905, which amounted to 27,000.000 acres, it is easily possible. with normal sea sons, to produce croE of over 13,000,- 900 bales. What Is the sensible thing to do: cut the acreage and hold pro- duction within the limits of consump- tion at good prices, or plant largely, produce saperabundantly and sell at prices? This is the question which now confronts every cotton grower in the south. Diversitcation is the keynote to the proper solution of the problem. Plant more land in food-supply crops; less land in cot ton: live at home and sell your staple crops slowly, and at prices showing a profit on the years labor. Cotton is today the cheapest commodity on the market, figuring the true-cost of its ...
 The true doctrine of diversihcation and reduction on cotton acreage will be preached from every hilltop and valley, by the officers and members or the Southern Cotton Association, dur Ing the next ninety days The entire Southern Press Will De urged to llIJ It's voice, in behalf of these two funda- mental propositions upon which the South must stake her fortunes in 1906. The wise man will heed this advice, and exercise every possible influence over any of his neighbors who are not disposd to exercise prudence before It is too late. Make your farms self sustaining and grow happy and pros- porous.
 As the markets or the world are broadened and the demand increases, then. and not till then. let the acreage planted m cotton be in- crca sed. Regulate the supply to meet the present existing demand for con $ a lption, and thereby have a controll- ing voice in the prices or the raw prod duct No power on earth can control nrtces when the legitimate laws of srpplv and demand are recklessly dis The farmers are the arbi- tt rs of their future fortunes, We will noin+ inc way to success. Pause and f reflect before 1t is too late IH
 Harvie Jordan, IH
 prcN fN I'M