The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1906-01-06

at the same standard, or, if not, re-
solve to market your crop gradually,
so as not to crowd the market, and
all will be we'll.
Below read what President Harvie
Jordan has to say, and give it careful
consideration.
F.E. STOKES.
The Southern Cotton Association
will not ask the farmers of the South
to reduce the cotton acreage for 1906
less than that planted in 1905. The
Association does ask and insist with all
the force at it's command that the
acreage planted in cotton throughout
the belt in 1905 be not increased dur
ing the planting season of 1906. Let
the Watchword of every Southern far
mer be DIVERSIFICATION, and
through that agency produce an abun
dance of food supplies to maintain
each farm. Permanent independence,
thrift and prosperity can only be en-
joyed by Southern cotton growers
through the adoption and maintenance
of a system which will make each
farm self sustaining. 1t is the only
medium through which the present
iniquitous credit system, which has so
long held our people to bondage, can
be Effectively broken up and reiegated
to the past. 1t is the only medium
through which the great masses Of
cotton producers can ever hope to
control the sale of their cotton in the
markets of the country and force con-
sumers and buyers to pay them fair
and just prices for the staple. Any
vryt,i -
market his crops rapidly in order to
meet maturing obligations to pay for
supplies that could be more eheaply
raised at home will ever tend to make
slave of the grower, minimizing the
rights of manhood which every South
ern cotton raiser should enjoy to the
fullest extent.
ovER-PRoDUCTIoN A SERIOUS MENACE.
In the spring of 1905 crisis serious
and potential faced the cotton grow
ers of the South by reason of over
production of cotton in 1904. The
Southern Cotton Association at that
time waged an active and effective
campaign for a reduction in the cotton
area to be planted in 1905. The advice
of the Association was loyalty sup
PoACoo UJ SottOA SAo"CAo oA1ouSuouo
the entire cotton belt and reduction
of fully five million acres was stricken
from the cotton area for 1905 and
planted in other crops. The result
of this display of good Judgment on
the part of the farmers is to-day seen
in bringing the production of cotton
within the legitimate demands for
consumption, good prices for the sta
pie and we'll filled corn cribs and
smokehouses from North Carolina to
the Rio Grand River. The agricul-
tural, commercial, industrial and f.
nancial interests of the South are to-
day enjoying an era of prosperity far
in excess of any period experienced
within the past half century. To main
tain our present position, and forge
ahead in the achievement of greater
successes, it is imperative that no
serious mistake be made by the plan
ters who are now making their ar
rangements for the spring planting OF
1906. Let every man pause and calm
ly consider his future even while en-
joying the flush of a victory which has
been the most marvellous ever won in
modern times.
PRESENT ACREAGE SUFFICIENT.
The present estimated twenty seven
million acres planted in cotton is sufi
cient under normal climatic conditions
to produce enough cotton to meet the
demands of spinners for the American
| staple. Any material increase in the
cotton acreage for 1905 will tend to
stagnate the cotton market and de.
press prices below their legitimate
value. The legitimate laws of supply
and demand is the only true medium
of regulating fair and legitimate
prices for our great staple product
The Southern Cotton Association
through all it's sources of strength anG
co-operative mediums of dissemina'
ting Information to it's loyal and patri.
otic supporters, with an eye single te
the future prosperity of all cottoI
growers and business interest of thu
South, earnestly makes this appea
for broadening the splendid advan
tages that are to be gained by diversi.
fed agriculture ON Southern farms
Plant an abundance of small grain
corn, and side crops. Raise more hay
cattle and hogs.
PEACE AND PLENTY.
Let we'll filled corn cribs and smoke
houses be the great bulwarks of safety
between the farmers and the world o
trade with whom they have to deal
Rotate your crops, intensity your acre
age, fertilize literally, cultivate well
produce plentifully on the aereag'
planted and enjoy those reward
which should be the fulsome portion
of those who till our Southern soils
Study the possibilities of our soils ant
climate and learn to appreciate an,
develop the wonderful resources a