Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-02-02
COTTON AREA FOR 1906.
Will II Be Ten Per Cent Greater Than
That of 1905.
TO BE CONTINUED.


That of 1905.
Correspondence Of the Yorkville Enquirer.
ATLANTA, January 30.-What shall
the cotton acreage Of the south be in
1906? This question can be asked
by anyone. It can alone be definitely
and correctly answered by that great
army Of cotton growers, who will
solve the problem for themselves and
the world within the next 80 days.
The great cotton convention, which
met at New Orleans La, January IL
to 13. 1905, and the executive COM
mittee of the Southern association,
which convened at the same place on
January 18th, both, harmoniously and
without dissenting voice, passed and
recommended the following resolu-
ton: ~.
"Believeing that the rs per cent re-
duction In cotton acreage, recommend
ed and insisted upon by the Southern
Cotton association at its meeting at
New Orleans, La, year ago was emf
nently wise and salutary, this commit
tee suggests with all the insistence at
Cotton association endeavor to con-
tinue that work, to the end that the
original 25 per cent reduction from
the acreage of 1904 may be accomplish
ed in the year 1906"
It Is generally admitted that the re-
duction in cotton acreage for 1906
amounted to an average Of is per cent.
The demand for full reduction Of 25
per cent from the enormous area
planted In 1904 would mean that we
must still further reduce the area
planted in 1905 from that Of 1905 at
least 10 per cent. Those farmers who
reduced their cotton acreage 25 per
cent last year will not be asked to re-
duce again this year, but they will be
expected to hold their acreage down
to that planted last year. Those far
mers 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 10 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 rs per cent less than that plant
ed in the spring Of 1904.
This is easily understood and should
be strictly carried into practical oper-
tatfon II the advice OF the best brains
from leading southern farmers, the
Southern Cotton association and the
perils Of overproduction are to be
needed. The farmers are generally
getting into a position Of thrift and
independence. This Is due to the fact
for the past few years, with but one
exception, the crops Of cotton grown,
have not materially exceeded the de-
mands for consumption, and fairly
good prices have prevailed.
That the area planted In cotton last
| year was too large there can be no
question Of doubt. But for the climat-
ic conditions prevailing in the south
western states, we would have pro-
duced 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, 1t
| 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 hold produc-
| tion within the limits of consumption
at good prices, or plant largely, pro-
duce superabundantly and sell at ruin
GUS prices? This is the question which
now confroHts every cotton grower In
the south. Diversification is the key
note to the proper solution OF the prob
lem. Plant more land In food supply
Il
home and sell your staple crops slow
ly, and at prices, showing profit on
the years labor. Cotton is today the
cheapest commodity on the market,
| figuring the true cost Of its production
The true doctrine Of diversifcation
and reduction in cotton acreage will
be preached from every hilltop and
valley. by the officers and members Of
the Southern Cotton association, dur
| ing the next 80 days. The entire
southern press will be urged to lift
its voice, in behalf Of these two fun
damental propositions upon which the
south must stake her fortunes. in 1905.
The wise man will heed this advice, and
exercise every possible influence over
any Of his neighbors who are not dis
posed to exercise prudence before 1t Is
| too late. Make your farms self-sus-
tanning and grow happy and prosper
ous
AS the markets Of the world are
gradually broadened and the demand
| increases, then, and not till then, let
the acreage planted in cotton be in
creased Regulate the supply to meet
| the present existing demand for con-
sumption, and thereby have a control
ling voice in the prices Of the raw pro-
duct No power on earth can control
prices, when the legitimate laws OF
supply and demand are recklessly dis
regarded. The farmers are the arbi-
| ters of their future fortunes. We Will
point the way to success. Pause and
reflect before 1t is to late.
HARvIE JORDAN,
President Southern Cotton Associa-
tion.