The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1906-01-03
Diversification VS.. Over Production.

Dlversification vs.. Over Production.
The Southern Cotton Association
will not ask the farmers of the
South to reduce the cotton acreage
tor 1906 less than that of 1906.
The Association docs ask and in
sist with all tho force at its oom-
mand that the acreage planted IN
cotton throughout the belt in 1906
b" not increased during tho plnnt>
ing season OF 1906. Let tho watch.
word Of every Southern farmer b,
Diversitication and through that
agency produce an abundance Of
food supplies to r.at>tain each
farm. Pern,anol independence,
thrift and prosperity can only bo
enjoyed by southern cotton grow
ers thr ough the adoption and
maintenance of n system which
will make each farm self sustuin.
ing. 1t is the only medium
through which the present iniqui-
tous credit system, which has 20
'ong held our people in bondage,
can be effectively broken up and
relegated to the past. 1t ia the on.
ly medium through which tie
great cotton producers can ever
hope to control the sale of their
cotton in the IN arkets of the coun.
try and force consumers and buy
ers to pay them fair and Just pri-
ces for the staple. Any sYatem
which forces the producer to mar
ket his crops rapidly in ordor to
meet maturing obligations to pay
for supplies that could be moro
chearly raised at home will ever
tend to make slavo Of the grower,
minimizing the rights of manhood
which evorv southern cotton raisor
should ENJOY to tho fullest extent.
oVER.PRODUCTIoN SERIOUS ME-
NANCE.
In the spring Of 1906 crisis 80.
rious md potential faced tho cot
ton growers of tho South by reason
of over-production Of cotton in
1904. Tho Southern Cotton Asso.
clatlon at that time waged all act
lvo and effective campaign for the
reduction of cotton area planted IN
1905. The advice Of the Associa-
tim was loyalty supported by the
cotton growers throughout the en-.
tire cotton belt and q reduction Of
fully five million acres was strick-
~ from the cotton area Of 1905
and planted in other crops. The
result OF this display Of good judg-
ment OH the part of tho farmers is
today seen in bringing tho produc.
ton OF cotton wIthin the legiti-
mate demands for con .umption,
god prices for tho staple and we'll
| filled corn cribs from North Caro-.
lima to the Rio Granle River. The
agricultural, commorclnl, indus.
trial and financial interests Of tho
South are today enjoying M era Of
prosperity far IN exceus Of any pc.
Rod experienced within the past
half century. 70 maintain our
present position and forge ahead
in the achievement of greater suc
cesa, it is Imperative that no SER.
GUS mistake be made by tho plant
ers who are now making their ar
rangements for the spring planting
of 1906. Let every man pause ard
calmly consider his future even
while enjoying the flush of victory
which has been the most marvel.
Gus over won IN modern times.
PRESENT ACREAGE SUFFICIENT
The present eatima ated twenty
seven million acres planted in cot
ton is sufficient under normal cll.
matic conditions to produce
enough cotton t., meet the demand
Of spinncrs for the American sta.
pie. Any material increase in th..
cotton acreage Tor 1905 will tend
to stagnat" the cotton market and
dspress prices below thsir legiti.
mato value. The legitimate laws