Crittenden record=press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1907-1909, 1907-06-20
Bad Crop Prospects In the United States.

uoing enormous injury to the grow
ing crops. For the cotton planters,
wheat raisers, corn growers. and
farming interests generally, the year
1917 Is likely to be one Of the worst,
II not the worst, crop year within
their recollection.
In the South the weather was too
dry at planting time, and then too
cold and now too wet for proper cul-
lyation. -.
The worst conditions are apparent
in Tex,s, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mis-
sissippi, Alabama and Tennessee,
where the crop is reported from two
to six week, later than last year.
In these states the ground is now
foul and watersoaked. The plant
presents a grassy appearance and Is
overrun with weeds and grass.
In Texas and Louisiana millions
OF boil weevils are IN sight, but it is
too early for much damage from this
insect as yet In Mississippi cut
worms and other cool weather insects
have been killing the delicate young
plants.
10 Georgia and the Carollnas re.
ports are unfavorable. but not nearly
so much so as in the states further
West The crop appears to be
about two weeks late aud the aver
age conditions are about - per cent.
below last year.
The weather in the Southwest APP
pears to have been colder in May and
early June than in March.
Some crop experts of the South
west estimate that this years crop
will not be more than from 30 to 60
per cent. Of last year.
The serious shortage in the cotton
crop which is now threatened would
mean an enormous financial loss to
the United States except for the
fortunate fact that the Southern
states enjoy monopoly IN cotton
raising. There are very few sections
OF the world outside of our Southern
states which produces enough cotton
to cut any figure at all in the worlds
available supplies. The consumption
OF cotton throughout the world has
a tendency to increase and is only
limited by the actual amount that
can be raised in our Southern states.
The cotton planter IN this respect is
in much more commanding position
than is the wheat raiser who has to
compete with farmers in Russia,
India and the Argentine, which or
dinarily grow enormous crops of
wheat and are handled by much |
cheaper labor than can be obtained /
in the United States.
1t Is to be reasonably expected that
the price of cotton will show advances
which will perhaps more than com
pensate the planters for the big
shortage. At present the world.
total visible supply OF cotton amounts
to about 1, 500, 600 bales, as compar
ed with 3,97l. 600 bales a year ago
this time. l; may, therefore, be
some months before the price can
show sufficient advance to properly
reflect the big probable shortage 10
this years crop, 1t will probably
pay spinners to lay in large stocks
Of cotton while it can still be bought
At reasonably cheap prices. Later
IN, when the worlds visible sapply
IS found to be very insuthciently re-
olenished by the new crop, consum-
'rs may be required to pay prices
which may seem extraordinarily
nigh in comparison with previous
ears. The southern planter, on tue
'ther hand, no doubt will show wis
Iom in holding his present stocks of s
otton. The South at present is in ,
n extremely prosperous condition I
wing to fairly good crops and reas- I
nably high prices for years back,
o that If net financial returns from
his years crop prove unsatisfactory t
ct the South ought to be able to !
tand such loss without any serious {