The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1911-07-26
CROP REPORTS A FRAUD
NO ESTIMATES ON COTTON CROP
WILL BE ISSUED.
Senator Smith Points Out the Alb
suridity of the Guess to the Sec.
retary Of Agriculture.

retary Of Agriculture.
Senator e. D. Smith gave out the
following interview Thursday, after
a call on the Secretary Of Agricul-
ture:
"On July "a statement Of the con-
dition of the cotton crop was issued
from the department OF agriculture
putting the condition at 88.2 per
cent of normal, as compared with
a ten year average of 80 per cent.
Also, that the acreage Of cotton was
about 35,000,0o0 acres. To quote
the exact language of the alleged re.
port in this respect, II SAYS
1.-The report shows condition Of
the crop to- be higher than on any
corresponding date in the last ten
years. A month ago the general
condition was S.5 per cent above the
ten year average. Today it is 1913
per cent above the ten-year average.
The acreage Of cotton this year
is about 35, 100000, allowing for the
average amount of abandonment,
about 100000 acres, the indica-
tons are that approximately 34,-
O00,0 acres of cotton will be har-
vested.
The condition indicates prob
able yield of 2O2.S pounds per acre,
which, on 100000 acres would
mean 6,SO5, 100000 pounds, or about
14,425,OOo bales
This being the first estimate Of
the kind and realizing its immense
value to the speculator and gambler
l believed that there was some mis-
take somewhere. It makes no differ
ence as to the fact, this is a mere
guess, for coming, as it is alleged
to have done, from the agricultural
department, it carried with it Off
cial weight, and therefore, was cal
culated to have vastly more effect
upon the market than any private
guess could have. I, therefore, this
morning, interviewed Secretary Will
son in person. He informed me this
estimate was without the sanctios Of
Jaw, and that on account Of the
r,any influences that are likely to
occur in effeeting the final yield or
the crop, !: vas !nc:isnness for aRy
one t.: attempt to.-forecast the yield
at this date. That, if this did come
from any Of his divisions, that it
was the first and the last time it
would occur.
.'Of course. the damage to a large
extent has been done. That is, It's
effect on the price of cotton has al
ready been felt, but it is due to the
public, the cotton growers and the
legitimate cotton dealers to know
that the agricultural department
does not lend it's sanction to the
alleged estimate.
Gas ar illustration of the absur-
dity of an attempt to make guess
now, in 1908 we had 32,344,000
acres, and made 13,432,000 bales;
in 1910 we had 32,403,000 acres,
and made 11,560,000 bales; in 1906
we had 31,374,OO0 acres, and made
13,305,000 bales; in 1907 we had
1871, 900 acres, and made 1885,
600 bales.
'Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ar
kansas, Mississippi and Alabama are
infested with the weevil. The pest
begins its ravages about the 18th Of
July. The extent of its ravages are
largely dependent upon the condition
of the weather If there is an ex-
cess Of rain the damage done by the
weevil is increased; if there is not
an excess Of rain the damage is less
ened. Already many complaints are
coming in from these sections of too
much rain. This factor, together
with many others that the cotton
trade if familiar with, make it i'm
possible to foretell what the ultimate
yield may be. And I am extremely
gratifed to know from the Secretary
in person, that this dangerous and
preliminary estimate will not be
made again.