The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-07-04
Valuable Facts Furnished
Bv u. S. Census Bu-
reau's Bulletins
tBy the Associated Press

letin. III. Oh cotton production for 1910.
The worlds crop last year was short Of
the quantity needed for the annual con
sumption.
The area Of the world in which cotton
can be successfully grown Is vast, but
owing to the varying conditions in the
sections where it will grow its produc-
ton is found Improbable except in we'll
defined areas. Because of the insuffciency
of the supply Of this fiber to meet fully
the demands of the trade AID because OF
the desire Of European manufacturers TO
be independent of the Influences due TO
the prenonderance of the American crop.
many efforts have been made in recent
years to extend the cultivation of cotton
to new fields. While failure has often
resulted, success has attended these ef-
forts in Il number of countries, among
which may be mentioned Russian Turkes-
tan. Peru. British India, and Persia In
these countries, especially the first two,
its extension has been taken up i'll q more
serious works have
been built and improved machinery in
stalled for treating the fiber. Efforts have
been made to foster the cultivation of cot
ton in Il number Of other countries. but
the United States still produces about
two-thirds OF the entire mill supply of
the world. British India, Egypt, RUSSIA.
and China follow in order of Importance.
Nine and "a Half Billion Pounds in 1910:
The worlds production in 1910, amounted
to 9,3S5.1NG.ON pounds. with an estimated
value Of about 1,2J0, 600, 600.
In 1890 the West Indies furnished about
20 per cent of the total cotton supply Of
the world, the Mediterranean countries 20
per cent, and Brazil s per cent. The guam
States and British India combined was
1T that time less than l per cent of the
total. while its cultivation had not been
begun in Egypt. In 1910 the United States
contributed 500 per cent of the total quan-
tity Of commercial cotton; British India,
~ per cent; Egypt : per cent, and
that were prominent in the production Of
cotton in 1890, Brazil and Asiat'c Turkey
alone have retained any importance.
Cotton Area in Thu United States.
The greatest cotton-growing section in
the world, both in area and production,
IS located in the southeastern part of the
of Virginia. Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas,
and New Mexico, as we'll as the States
lying to the s~ouhtward. This cotton pro
ducing area is about 800 miles long from
east to west and about 800 miles in width.
Within the past few years the cultivation
Of cotton has been undertaken in Arizona
and California, and considerable success
has attained it's growth iii the latter State.
The total area of the counties in which
cotton was sinned from the crop of 1910
is approximately 625, 600 square miles. or
about 100000 900 acres. OF this. only about
one acre i'll every - was devoted to cot
ton.
Production in The Island Possessions.
AT one time the cultivation of cotton in
Porto Rico formed an important indus
try. and records show that in 1897 five
million pounds were exported. From that
~ I'll IL but
increased during the Civil War in the
United States. Since 1870 no cotton has
been exported. and at present its %cultiva-
ton on the island has been practically
abandoned.
Cotton growing was introduced into the
Hawaiian Islands in 1917 by the Spaniards.
and Il cotton mill was erected in 1888. Be
yohd demonstrating the possibility of
growing the plant. very little was accom-
plished in the production of the staple.
Although the climate and soil are suited
10 Its cultivation and he hotter varieties
thrive, the use of the land for more re
munerative crops makes its extensive pro
duction in these islands improbable.
Cotton was first introduced into the
Philippine Island by the Spaniards. A
1ong.staple variety was cultivated. from
which Il fine grade OF cloth was made and
exported. Recently. however, the produc-
ton has been very small and of an in
ferior grade. 1t is estimated that the
crop of 1910 furnished about $500 bales
of 800 pounds each to the total supply of
cotton for mill consumption.
British India Crop.
The cotton plant is indigenous to India.
and its fiber has been employed by the
people of that country for making cloth
ing for thousands of years. This produc-
tien. however. did not attain commercial
Importance in the modern sense until its
culture there. as in many other countries.
felt the stimulating effect of the high
prices for cotton which resulted from the
demoraliZed conditions caused by the Civil
War in the United States.
The area devoted to the growth of cot
ton in 1910 was 2l.24S,oD acres. an in
crease Of 1927 600 acres. or : per cent
over the acreage for 1909. The acreage
for 1910 exceeded the average for the
l4year period, beginning with 1897. by
4,OtN.S91 acres. The crop Of 1910 amounted
to 3.l0S. 100 bales of 800 pounds each. which
is 2G4. 100 bales. CT I per cent. less than
the weld for 1909. though an increase of
GA .26S bales over the average for tho
l4-year period. 1t is observed that, in
the past year. though the acreage has in
creased and the production decreased the
14-Eear period.
The crop of 1910 was somewhat smaller
than that of 1909. which was a phenome-
nally large one. and is disappointing when
we consider that the worlds production
Tor the past year WIS still short of the
quantity needed for the annual conSump-
lion The decrease III the production is
dre largely to weather conditions. the
rainfall in seine portions of the country
having ieen excess We and i'll others in