St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1906-06-23
FARMER AND PLANTER
ORIGIN OF COTTON SUPPLY.
The United States In No Danger Of
Losing It's Commanding
PoaitiOu.

An elaborate discussion Of the worlds
soften production in 1905, contained in
che final report just issued by the cen
sus bureau, goes to show that the Unit
ed States Is in no danger Of losing its
commanding place as the origin Of sup
ply.
It is made very clear that the posi-
bilitles for increasing the projection
ere as great in the United States as in
India, in Central and South America,
and greater than in Egypt. This start
ling statement is made concerning the
available cotton acreage in our cotton
growing region:
"The total area Of the present cotton
producing region Of the United States is
estimated at 100000 square miles, or
448, 900, 900 acres. OF this, only about
one acre in every II was given to cot
ton in 1905. Were this proportion
raised tc FIVE acres in every II, it would
mean a crop of more than 10000 600
bales at the present rate of production.
The. increase In the amount Of cotton
grown in this country does not depend
80 much on an increase in the acreage
planted as on seed selection, fertiliza-
ton and the manner in which the crop
Is cultivated.
''The cotton grower has discovered
that he can most easily and profitably
secure increased production by improved
methods Of farming-thAt is, by crop
rotation and better culture-than by IN
increase in the acreage. What the re-
suit would be were the maximum acre
age devoted to cotton, and the best
cultured methods employed, must re-
main a matter of conjecture. An av-
erage of one bale to the acre Is not an
impossible achievement, and at that
rate the cotton-growing states to the
south are capable of producing many
times the present yield"
The evil Of American cotton produc-
ers, says the report, 10 bad baling. The
Egyptian and Indian bales are pointed
out as much better. It is explained,
however, that reform of this lack here
will be exceedingly difficult because the
United States cotton is cultivated on
about 1.500, 900 farms distributed over
a very wide area, and ginned In more
than $4,000 establishments.
The varying local conditions and wide
expanse Of country render it difficult,
II not impossible, to introduce any uni
form system Of baling, and especially
one requiring heavy presses.
The idea of a cylindrical bale, which
has found some favor, is discouraged
by the census bureau. Scores Of in
ventions for baling cotton in cylindrical
form have been made during the past
decade, but only two have been put
into practical operation. One Of these
Is the Bessonette, or roundlap system,
and the other, the Lowry. The bales
turned out by these presses are about
20 inches in diameter and IS in length,
and average about $50 pounds in
weight.
These packages are kept in shape by
the cohesion of fibers and layers, and
require no iron bands. The cylindrical
bale has not proved entirely satisfac-
tory, and the tendency at this time is
toward an improvement in the square
bale, many believing that the density
Of that package may be SO increased
as to avoid the present necessity of re-
compression. Experiments are now be-
ing carried on with inventions promis-
Ing this result.-Census Bulletin.