The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-05-31
COTTON ACREAGE
SLIGHTLY INCREASED
Plant Small But Healthy: Great Pro-
gress in Three Weeks of Ideal Wea-
Their: Replanting Necessary in Many
Sections: Labor Shortage Causes
Concern.

A cotton acreage of 101.S per cent
compared with last year is indicated
by reports sent in by Commercial APP
peal correspondents. A condition OF
81 per cent compared with normal IS
indicated.
Government figures last year to May
% showed condition of $50. The
ten year average is TEL.
The acreage increase means 34,677,-
900 acres devoted to the 1888 crop
against 34,0S6,000 in 1917, excluding
in both instances Virginia, Missouri,
Florida and less important cotton pro-
ducing states, which in 1917 had com
bined total production of $4,000 acres.
It may be said, and the case presents
itself as a probability rathsr than a
possibility, that revision Of acreage
figures a month from now will show
an actual decrease as compared with
last year. This prospect is due to the
fact that up to May 20 from 5 to %
per cent of the lands intended for cot
ton had not been planted.
Late paintings last year was one OF
the chief causes of the short crop. The
other was the early frost in the fall.
All paintings should have been COM
pleted by May 10. Rather than risk
another season abbreviated at both
ends like last year contributed to the
farmers school of experience, farmers
say they will plant corn. Lands that
cannot be planted in sufficient time to
assure a growing season of reasonable
length will be Abandoned to quicker
crops.
A great deal of replanting has
been necessary. While no figures have
been compiled to ascertain the effort
required in this direction, it is prob
ably safe to say that % to 40 per cent
of the crop planted did not come up
to stand that could be proftabily
worked, or was killed.
Farmers, in their anxiety to be be-
forehanded with their work were lur-
ed by the spring-like weather about
Easter to plant unusually early. Cold
snaps which came along later caught
lot of these paintings in the crook;
some was nipped after coming up and
cold rains played the mischief with
the seed that remained in the ground.
Texas, Oklahoma, portions Of Louis
lana, Georgia, and South Carolina,
were especial sufferers from damage
to these early paintings. Seed put in
the ground about the average date
for planting in the various localities
Jared better.
Every correspondent of the several
hundred from whom replies were rc4
ceived made some mention of the labor
situation. With few exceptions a
shortage was reported. Notwith-
standing this fact the correspondent of
the opinion that the crop was endan-
gered was also an exception.
The present acreage is sufficient for
a 13,5O0,0OO to 14,500,O00 bale crop.
Alabama leads in acreage increase
and Tennessee in condition. South
Carolina, one Of the most important
producing states, indicates the lowest
condition. Savannah, Ga. reported
signs of boil weevil.
Texas is being watched this year.
The breaking OF the long drought IL,
that state may mean that the slightde.
crese in acreage may be more than
Offset by improved conditions
An increase of Is to % per cent is
indicated in the use Of fertilizers in
sections customarily using fertilizer.
1t is difficult, however, to tell just
how much oft his increase is being US
ed for cotton, because most Of the in
crease has been in sections which have
greatly increased food crops andwhich
are fertilizing these crops heavily,
1t has been necessary to omit a
! great many summaries because tae
correspondents answered questions
categorically instead Of reducing their
answers to narrative form Manifest
| ly it was impossible to rewrite so many
answers. The data contained in these
answers, however, has been utilized in
the acreage estimate and condition
\ figures.
Continued warm weather seems Ia
be the present hope. The weather has
ben ideal for the past three weeks,
"A USE THE OLD