The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-09
PROSPECT OF COTTON
COMMISSIONER WILKINSON LOOKS
 FOR POOR CROP. W
Thinks Price VIII He Good, However, and Suggests Fall Weather May Permit of Late-MatufIng
 CrOD.

Prophesying a poor crop, but good prices for cotton. Hon. J. A. Wilkinson, Commissioner of Agriculture and In- dustries. bids the farmers of Alabama to be of good cheer That we may yet have weather in late Fall in which late crop of cotton may Dc made and gathered. is a suggestion that he requests the planters of the State to take next to their hearts.
 Commissioner Wilkinson prepared a long letter in which he set forth his views upon the crop. He regards the report of the Federal Bureau as re- gards Alabama too high but he hopes that Alabama may pick up and make a comparatively good crop.
 A copy of his letter follows:
 The Government report, which has just been published. shows that the general condition of the cotton crop Is about 70 per cent of what we might term our general average. It also shows that the area planted. and to be planted in the South. equals that of last year. It shows the condition of Alabama to be 65 per cent of an average crop. and the acreage planted per cent less than planted last year.
 ''On June 4th, when this report was made, 1t was probably somewhat an over-estimate of the conditions in Ala bama. We have information from many points over the West and think the Government report Is higher than the information that has been furnished this office as to conditions west of the Mississippi.
 Tt is early in the season and good crops may come even from very late planting One extreme generally fol- lows another, and we may yet have a late Fall fin which to gather crops. At this time 1t seems impossible to make big crop. and we have every reason to believe that we will have good prices in the Fall. The increasing demand by the spinners of the world for cotton. the phenomenal prosperity of all cotton mills. the ability and disposition of cotton growers to hold their cotton for better and more equitable price. the small supply of good cotton on hand, all tend to indicate. as we have said. a better price for our staple product In case as 1t Is believed. the worlds con- sumption will be greater than the pro- auction during 1s07-0s. then tho cotton crop will command a price much higher than for many years past.
 Perhaps the law of supply and de- mAnd has less to do with the price of cotton than with other products of the farm or manufacturing industries. This may be owing to several things; one Is the lack of unity of action among our people and the disposition of each individual to seek his own interest without regard to the effect his action may have upon the community of i'm terest. To Illustrate this, our farmers too often sell their cotton in the early spring, even before 1t is planted, to be delivered as fast as gathered and mado ready for the market, and though some many claim this to be a business prop osition, 1t is evident to the thoughtful mind, that this action will materially interfere with business propositions as put forth by the Southern Cotton As- sociation or Farmers Union. These organizations we are glad to say. are moving along lines 10 put us in a po- sition to secure. not a fabulous. but an equitable price for this international commodity.
 Tt Is stated upon what seems to be good authority, that the mills have sold their products months ahead on R basis of 15 cents for the raw material" Assuming this to be true, then the farmer should get the price fixed by the mills themselves, which would give both a legitimate profit on their busi- ness.
 "In case a full crop should be made this season, that Is, as much as twelve and one-half million bales, then there Is no reason for any alarm. because the worlds increased demand for our cotton will take every bale and the price should not decline."