The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1916-03-11
HIGHER PRICES FOR COTTON
southern Farmer Has Brighter Out
look Than for Several Years
High Prices Assured.

The southern farmer, although he
mas produced less cotton in 1915 than
Tor several years and much less than
last year, has a brighter and more
hopeful outlook than for many years.
Some jump at the conclusion that
this is solely because he has produced
less cotton. but this is by no means the
only reason. The bumper crop of last
year would have brought ten cents a
pound. but for the business panic,
forced marketing and false statements
reiterated by practically all the So
called cotton authorities" The small
or crop is responsible for a demand
ior cotton in excess of the supply, but
the price can only be maintained by
the independence of the producer.
writes TAFT Butler in the Progressive
Farmer.
When debts have to be paid in the
South cotton must be sold, and II is
only by lessening the debts, by pro-
ducing food and feed supplies on the
farm. that independence can be main
tanned.
The cotton farmers of the South are
going to get good price for their cot
ton this year as much because of the
TACT that they have diversified to a
large extent as because of the fact
that the crop is small. Had we been
as Independent of the supply mer-
chants and as free from debt last
year as we are this, it would have ad-
ded at least two cents per pound to
the price of cotton.
With cotton selling at a profitable
price at this time, the South stands
on the brink of danger, probably
greater than ever before in her his
tory. Safety exists only in maintain
ing the progress towards feeding our
selves, which We have made in 1915. IL
we fail to sow large oat and wheat
crop this fall and seed the bare lands
With cover, pasture and sOil-improv-
ng crops, no power on earth will pre-
rent large cotton acreage next year
The cotton acreage will be increased
text year, there is no doubt of that,
tut by determining to produce all the
eedstuffs and other supplies we need
or 1916, the increase in the acreage
4 cotton will not be so great We can
ot only hold down the increase in the
otton acreage, but also lessen the bad
Hects OF any increase which may oc-
ur, only by starting now to grow next
ears supplies.
If the price of cotton remains high
re are almost certain to lose some of /;
lie progress which we have made 1
lis year toward "Diversification and |
dependence" but to go back to old !
leas and conditions will be suicidal {
ats and wheat 90 better seeded [
lrlier than is generally advised '
nd practiced. The Hessian fly does G
tile damage to wheat in the South, v
here the crop has not been gener- a
ly grown, and for that reason it may [
'obably be sown earlier than gener- V
ly recommended. With oats earlier q
eding is Of tremendous advantage.
The only way to hold the cotton t
reage within bounds next spring is O
seed large acreage of oats. Oats C
ID corn are safe crops in the South. o
ay crops are safe and always profit a
lie. Wheat, to a limited extent. is a f
cd and safe crop in the northern b
ird of the cotton belt if sown on C,
cd land. These crops must be used W
keep down the cotton acreage. To R
e extent they can be used on the Il
m, at least, they pay as we'll as cot fe
! and better when the cotton crop is
, large
rhe southern farmer will be put to
severe test next spring. II he is
Sc and is capable of learning from
1erience he will not plant a larger
cage to cotton in 1916 than he did
1915. If he fails in this crucial test.
he falls under the temptation to
mt all cotton next year the wheels
progress will be stopped and will
We with greater difficulty for many
RS to come.