The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1906-04-12
BANKERS, FARMERS, COTTON
The Acreage May be Slightly Increas-
ed This Year Over Last But Not
Over 1904.


ed This Year Over Last But Not
Over 1904.
A special to the Columbia, Is. CT
Slate from Baltimore says:
Summarizing Is pages of letters on
the cotton acreage outlook from
several hundred bankers in North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia.
Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Tex
as, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma,
and Indian Territory, the States prac-
tically embracing the cotton belt of
the South The Manufacturers Record
SAYS this week:
1.-The replies indicate a tendency
toward a slight increase in acreage
for the cotton belt as a whole, an in
crease, however, not overcoming the
decrease IN 1905 from the acreage of
1904, and a tendency to be restrained
by certain natural factors. The re-
plies show steady advance i'll diversif-
cation of crops, a irmer purpose than
ever on the part of bankers and farm
ers to stand together for the common
good and a greater degree of comfort
among the growers.
"There is a general purpose appear
ent all along the line for the bankers
and growers to continue, even with
greater zeal, the policy of cooperation
which worked so successfully dur
ing the past season. This does not, of
course imply less acreage as a whole
in 1906 than in 1905, although such a
reduction in promised in a number of
localities. Nor does it imply that the
acreage in some States will not be in
creased. New lands in Texas, Okla
hOma, Indian Territory and Arkansas,
and, indeed, in such older States as
Georgia, South Carolina and Missis-
sippi, sre being opened up and are
going into cotton. In sections like the
delta of Mississippi, where no fertili-
zer<is yet used, Oh where it is really
cheaper to buy supplies than to raise
them with cotton at 10 or II cents, a
moderate increase in acreage may be
expected and many individuals will
plant from 5 to 10 per cent wider than
last year. But in the main the bankers
are not encouraging any great expan-
sion, but, on the other hand, are stand
ing by the wisdom of the past -
months and are receiving from the
farmers hearty support. Some far
mers are still holding, not because
they expect much better prices, but
because they do not need the money,
and those who may not be satisfied
with the price at the time they gin the
coming crop are assured that they
Will have no difficulty i'll obtaining ac-
cancellations from the banks and mer-
chants who are backing ur. the grow
ers In legitimate plans to make their
crop a paying one. AT the same time
4 voice of caution is raised against
any combination TO get excessive
prices, hat being held as censurable
as are efforts of Wall street bears to
depress prices. Here and there, where
experience has, not taught wisdom,
the all-cotton idea Is abroad, and some
few planters really favor a permanent
Scent basis for the staple.
1.-The readiness with which the
growers favor conservatism III plant
ing this year and their determination
TO work along with the banks are due
to the steadily increasing comfort of
the many. The day of the old credit
system is passing, and now the grow
ers are found in various stages of
prosperity, from ability to pay off
old debts and to lift mortgages to
ability to lend money themselves.
Their bank accounts are greater then
ever before and they are investing
their surplus in permanent forms.
They are buying more land and bring
ing the present holdings to a high
state Of cultivation. New homes with
modern conveniences are being built
and old ones are being improved. Up
to-date implements and machinery are
being purchased, a better grade of live
stock is appearing, some farmers are
investing in town property and NOV
ing in so that their children may enjoy
better school facilities, the farms be-
ing rented, and more bank stock and
cotton mill stock and cotton seed oil
mill ctooL oro hoinr hold NV tbo Gov