The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-02-27
Reduce the Cotton Acreage.


This is the time of the year when
the talk Of reduction Of cotton acre
age is most talked of. This year there
has been less exploitation in the press
generally, but is is pleasing to note
that the cotton association has not
halted in its labors and is urging
the farmers to a material reduction.
The Cotton Journal Of recent date
contained a timely and a sensible edi-
torjal on the subject which we print
herewith as voicing the sentiments
Of the wisest southerners.
The Journal says:
The most vital question for the cot
ton growers Of the south to settle at
be planted in cotton this spring.
It IS quite evident that farmers all
over the south are beginning to real
ize that, If as large an acreage as was
planted in 1906 be again planted in
1907, followed by good seasons, an
excessive crop will be raised. The
crop Of 1906 is showing up much
larger than most people believed
could be possible two or three months
ago. The size of the crop will be al
most as deceptive as the big crop Of
1904 was, because the conditions un-
der which the present crop matured
were very much worse than those Of
1904. The summer and fall Of 1904
were ideal for development, maturity
and gathering. With the acreage
planted that year crop Of 13,6o0,-
600 bales was harvested, and for a
time very low prices prevailed. The
next year the acreage was reduced af-
ter a, very hard and active campaign
along that line, and prices ranged
around six and seven cents during the
planting season.
In the fall of 1905, another large
crop was produced under a decreased
acreage, amounting to 11,S46,00O
bales, which sold, however, at an av-
erage price Of II cents. The farmers
success in holding up prices on the
second largest crop they had ever
grown in the face Of the bumper. yield
2 year previous, induced them to ex-
pand their cotton area in the spring
of 1905 again.
There is but little doubt that had
the seasons of last year been as IA
vorable throughout the whole belt as
they were in 1904, the crop Of 1906
would have exceeded the bumper
yield.
AS it is, suffering from all the dis
asters that fell upon it, we are now
assured that the yield will be consid-
erably greater than any crop ever
before grown in the south, with the
exception of the big crop in 1904.
In the face of these three large
crops, one succeeding the other, the
farmers have fortunately been able to
maintain an average price for the sta
pie. basis middling, of about 10 cents
per pound. It will not do, however,
for farmers, in the light Of this en-
couraging fact, to grow too reclllessly
and expand the acreage beyond rea-
sonable bounds 1t Will not do to neg
lect the equally important matter OF
growing an abundant supply of food
crops at home. 1t will not do to de-
pend altogether on the great staple
crop to run the farm, pay all expenses
and clear profit to the growers.
Disappointment viii result sure and
certain.
There is no question but that the
cotton growers are at the meeting OF
the ways. Another larg crop plant
ed now will do great harm even il
it does not completely overthrow the
success and the organization Of seve-
raj years.
Now is the time to reduce. The cot
ton planter who fails is derelict in
,7,,+v 70 b;,,ose1f and To his fellows