The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-02-28
TO the Merchants and Cotton Growers
of the South.

Oh the SOuCh.
On Nov. 18th, we mailed out letters
of inquiry to nearly every cotton grow
ing county in the South and on the
10Th day of the same month we made
an estimate of this years total yield OF
10, 167, 74O bales or about the Govern
ment Figures of the 4th of Dec
After q careful investigation once
more of every cotton-growing county
in the U. s. we are convinced of the
fact that the total yield for 1905 and 6
will not be over l0,300, 900 bales.
Cotton is selling too cheap as COM
pared with the price of Everything else;
cotton goods are higher than they have
been for years and are not plentiful at
present prices, it being almost impossi-
6le to buy heavy goods al all.
The South has wonderful possiblli-
ties of q remarkable opportunity Of
continued prosperity. Why not grasp
it?
We can sell a crop of less than 10,
600, 900 bales of cotton next season at
from IL to Is cents, n of l1,0OO,O QUO
bales for IL cents and better, and yet If
we 20 ahead and make another crop OF
Is 800, 900 we may see scent cotton
again.
Now what is the common sense view
to take of this matter? If we raise q
moderate sized crop we are at less ex-
pense during the entire year and owe
lees at the end of the year and receive
more dollars for our small crop than
we will for our large one. Further
more, If you will reduce your acreage
in cotton you will necessarily increase
your acreage in corn and peas and
other feed stuffs and will hence be alb
solutely independent and can hold
your cotton or sell just as you see lit
and not at the behests Of other parties.
Again, the money that Is spent In
other States for corn, hay and feed
stuffs would be saved for u home
merchants and so 1t seems to US that
every merchant who reads this should
consider this one feature alone and in
sist that every customer that he is fur
nishing, plant enough land in corn to
make plenty to do him another year.
Bv raising enough corn to run him will
reduce the average farmers account
SAC. 90 to $50. 90 per annum.
If the South will STAND by the 5. q.
@. A. we will all be prosperous; 1t is
the best thing that has ever been start
ed for the Southern planter; the spin.
ner knows this, and the Spectator
knows this; o why cannot the plan
ter see it too.
IF we will live up to the teachings Of
the s. G. g. A. We will never have any
trouble getting what our cotton Is
worth, as we can have the spinner at
all times anxious to buy, and further
more 1t will largely do away with
speculation, for every one will be
afraid to sell cotton which he has not
on hand to deliver. Each and every
farmer will be like a gentleman who
was in our office a few days ago: he
had some cotton to sell, and when we
told him the very best we could give.
he remarked: Well, IWon't take It:
I dent have to sell, I have a crib full
of corn, plenty of meat to run me and
some 60 sell, so I will hold nv cotton
Now, what price could we get for our
cotton next year ii every n who
farms could say this.
We will appreciate it If every o
interested in the South will be no kind
as. to write us giving his idea as to how
much cotton yet remains in his county
unsold and az near as possible, how
many bales have been ginned from
Jan. 16to Feb. %. Also the per cent
age of increase or decrease of acreage.
We will be glad to furnish you with
any information we may have at any
time you will write US. We are not
spectators but friends of the South.
From information received to date,
this state will reduce it's acreage about
5 per cent and probably more.
Cotton IL all ginned and most of 1t is
sold, the small remnant not yet sold
being held by farmers who have a crib
fnll of corn and meat to sell.
Hoping to receive at least ten letters
from each cotton growing county in
the South, we are,
-, Yours truly,
Barbour-H erbert Co.