The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-10-24
eOTTOR CROP RUINED.
MR. e. D. SMITH DECLARES THAT
so PER CENT. is LOST.
Boil Weevn is Spreading-Dread Pest
Has Come as Far as the Mississ-
ippi River and May Be Across Now.

ippi River and May Be Across Now.
Columbia. Oct. 17.-Mr. E. D.
Smith of the Southern Cotton Associa-
ton left Columbia yesterday for At
lanta, where he will address the cot
ton men of Georgia on the fair
grounds in that city today.
Mr.. Smith but a few days ago re-
turned from an extensive trip through
the western part Of the cotton belt.
and before leaving yesterday gave to
The state an interesting interview re-
.garding his observations Of the cotton
crop and conditions in that section.
In speaking first of the effects of the
storm, Mr.. Smith said:
s.since September 25 have visited
every cotton state, winding up at Or
sangeburg, S. c., Monday. Oct. s. MY
trip, therefore, covered period IN
which the gulf storm that covered
eastern Louisiana, all OF MISSISSIPPI
Arkansas and Alabama occurred. The
conditions, as found them previous
TO the storm, did not warrant the ex-
peetation of a yield very greatly III
Excess f last year. The effect OF the
storm can never be fully estimated
until the final yield of the crop is
known. There certainly has never
been a. more disastrous storm in its
effect upon cotton in the history OF
cotton growing.
e.In the States where it ragged worst
=at least SO per cent. Of the entire ma
.tured crop was open; the fields were
white from Alabama to Texas. In
the lowlands the cotton was beaten
down and over large territory water
from three to five inches deep covered
the ground, and a great amount Of
cotton not yet open was submerged
and all the open cotton that was beat
zen out was ruined.
sThe continued wet weather subse-
suuens to the storm caused great oeal
to sprout in the boil and rotring OF
unopened bolls. The vitality Of the
plant was greatly impaired by the
force of the wind and the effects Of
the rain. Since then, the unprece-
.dented cold wave, accompanied with
Killing frost, has practically covered
the entire eastern half Of the cotton
belt.
I'm Texas and the territories where
neither storm nor frost has yet been
we found that the yield promised to
be in excess of last year, but eve-a IN
this section the final outlook IS probe
matcal; for the reason that boil
worm, caterpillar and boll weeFii
have covered a greater territory than
ever in the history of Texas. The en-
tire Brazos valley of central and east
.ern Texas has not made any cotton
since the 18th Of September, nor will
it make any more on account Of the
boil weevil. Therefore, a frost in Tex
as would have practically no effect on
the ultimate yield of her crop
.sThe boil weevn has extended this
year over the entire Red river valley
in Texas and into western and south
ern Arkansas and into Oklahoma and
Indian Territory, and is now within 20
miles of the Mississippi, probably hay
ing crossed this river this month
Therefore, in my opinion, the yield of
this crop will not very greatly exceed
if it does exceed at all, the yield of
last year. To sum the whole matter
up. the conditions are these: The Wee
vii has mao a top crop in Texas i'm
possible: any citizen Of that State will
tell you that no more cotton will be
maae IL he cotton-growing section OF
Texas DIS season.
East oe the Mississippi the storm
-slan mage and then, in addition to that,
t.44s- fnese mas cut off any possibility OF
any further maturing and the destruc-
ton of that that was partially ma
tured. The crop was conceded by@ah
to be from two to three to four weeks
late; the frost is from three to four
weeks early. Therefore taking these
5 conditions all together, the outturn o.
this crop must be exceedingly small
in comparison with what was expected
a few weeks ago.
.eThe headlines in The State q few
DAYS ago were little misleading, in
that they made it appear that advis-
ed the farmers to sell their cotton at
10 cents aapound. What I said then
I repeat now: That the association
fixed the line in their judgment below
which no one should sell pound of
.cotton-at 1Oc. I advised the farmers
- fro,o this fcrJre No accOT@ lg