Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-05-31
LARGE INCREASE COTTON ACREAGE
 NOW PERCEIVED
National Chamber of Com merce Committee Also Re
 ports More Feedstuffs.

Washington, May 30.-The outlook is for a cotton acreage between To and 20 per cent larger than last year. probably nearer the. former hSure than inc latter, according to a spe- cial committee of the chamber or commerce of the United States, o1 which A. w. Douglas of St. Lotus is chairman. Despite the great incresae this year, the committee declares there cannot be expected an equal ln- crease in the total production. IL contends that large yields Of all ag- ricultural staples depend more upon the production per acre than upon the total acreage. Reports throughout the cotton belt indicate conditions diametrically opposite to those Of a year ago. The high price Of cotton prevailing for some months past stimulated planting this spring.
 Peace Will Ind'ease Demand.
 The general feeling among the cot ton planters and farmers seems to he. according to what the national chamber committee says, that since the cotton industry lived through a cataclysm such as the European war, it can stand any turn ot 1or- tune. Furthermore, it is pointed out that with the coming of peace, there must be renewed demand for cotton products. Hence, the planters figured it was safe and wise once more to put in larger acreage.
 This acreage varies greatly in diff ferent sections of the country, being influenced to large extent by, the weather prevailing at the time ol planting. The increase is heavy Tn oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas. M1ssls- sippi and Alabama, in the order nam ed, and in certain sections Of other states, as in portions of Louisiana and North Carolina. This is said to mean that in the central South ana Southwest the conditions were more favorable during the spring than Ill the South Atlantic states from Virginia to Florida. where the season was re- ported abnormally cool and dry, The conclusion of the committee is that in these latter states the acreage is con sjderably less than west of the Ale gheny mountains.
 Lack of Fertilizer Factor.
 A further influence in the South Atlantic states, the committee reports, is to be found in the very great scarcity of fertilizers, which are n,dch more essential in these states in the raising of cotton than in the cotton belt further west In 1915 the use of fertilizers M3ehe cotton growing states was abakM 40 per cent less than in 1914, and this year there is 3 stillf further decreas&of aboGt 25 per cent less, than a.1e15. It was point ed ap44rs that this means decrease ln production per acre, especially in the South Atlantic states and portions ol Alabama and Arkanses which of late have grown to use fertilizers In large measure. Trouble was reported ln some of the states west of the Mis- sissippi river in getting good seed. With but few local exceptions, thu committee states. the acreage devot ed to grains and forage of all kinds this year in the South is as large al year ago, which in turn was re cord breaking season.
 Diyersification of Crops.
 "The general condition of bein| | SGll-COAldluCus Ol loAo144S9 S-i ~AAAS " it's needs both for man and beast-' condition brought about by the bol weevil invasion and the effect oe tn European war--seems now to hay crystalized into a habit" the repor | goes on. "The Southern farme4 an ! planter has found from eXperienc !, that the cheapest wa,S to raise totto Is first to raise enough grains for tn sustenance of his family, his flock i sod herds, and then it is entirel wise in an economic way to plant al the cotton he can take care of."
 } The planting of other products grains and forage-has taken new d rections in portions of Oklahoma an particularly in northern Texas, wher the peanut industry has become ( great local moment according to tl committee. Not only is there d. mand for the oil for fine salad pu