The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1906-03-07
COTTON AREA FOR 1906

What shall tho cotton urea nf the
South be III 1906? This qucatiop
can be asked by anyone. 1t car
alone be definitely and correctly
answered by that great army OF
cotton growers, who will solve tho
Pr"b'em f,'r msrlves and tho
""'ld within tho n"xt 80 days. Th
grat trl'on Convention, hicl
met at New Orl.ans. I,r., jim. l1"13
l9C6, aud tn" Ex cutiv- Committee
OF tho S"ntheri G. ,t,un. Assoc.a
ton, which cur,vered at tn" sam,
place on Jan. 18th, 'aoti' halmoni
tusly and wi,h"ut a DISSENTING
Voice, PASSED and recommend d the
following resolution:
"Be!ieving that the 25 per cent
reduction IN cotton acreage, recon-
mended and Insisted upon by the
Southern Cotton Association at it's
meeting in Nsw Orleans, La, O
year ago was emlnently wise and
sa'ntary, this committee auggests
with all the inaistence at it's cons
mand that for the year 1906 the
Cotton Association endeavor to con
tlnue that work, to the end that the
original 25 per cent reduction from
the acreage of 1904 may be accom-
plished in the year 1867
1t is generally admitted that the
reduction in cotton acreage for 1905
amounted to all average of Is per
cent. The demand for full red uction
or 20 per cent from the enormous
area planted 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 20 per cent last year will
not be asked to reduce again this
year, but they will be expected to
ho'd their acreage down to that
planted last year. Those farmers
who did not reduce last year are OK
pected to cut 25 per cent this year.
The man. who reduced Is per cent
last yearis expected to cut his acre
oge another ten per cent this YEAR
In other words, it ls,mperaLive that
the cotton area planted On every
farm in the,south this year shall be
at least 25 per cent loss than that
planted in the spring of 1904.
This is easily understood end
] should be strlctly carried into prac-
tical operation if the advice OF the
best brains from leading Southern
farmers, the Southern Cotton Asso-
citation and perils of over produc.
tion are to be needed. The farmers
are generally getting into position
of thrift and independence. 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.
DIvERsIFIcATIoN THE wATcHwoRD.
That the area planted in cotton
last year was too large there can be.
no question of doubt. But for the
bad climatic conditions prevailing
in the southwestern states, we would
have produced over 100000
bales and suffered tremendous de-
preston in prices. With the area
planted i'll 1905, which amounted
to 27,000,000 acres it is easily
possible, with normal seasons, to
produce a crop OF over 100000
bales. What is the sensible thing
to do; cut the acreage and produc.
ton within the limits Of consump>
tlon at good prices, or plant largely,
produce superabundantly and sell
at ruinous prices? This is the i'm
I, portant question which now con.
fronts every cotton grower in the
south. Diversifcatlon 10 the key
note to the proper solution of the
problem. Pant moro land in food
supply crops; less land in cotton ;
live at homes+and sell your staple
crops slowly, and at prices showing
profit on the years. labor. Cot.
ton Is today tho cheapest commodi
" On the market, figuring tho true
cost OF Its production. s...
The true doctrine of 3ioar,;e