The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-07-04
i. s: ESTIMATES
COTTON CROP
Show. . Decrease Of 100000 Bales
Under Last Years Production
Acreage Reduction 81 Per
Cent, tho Total Being
33,s60,o00.

33,96U,VVO.
Washington, July IA cotton
crop of about 100000 bales smaller
than last years was forecast for
this wear by the department OF agr'-
culture today in estimating prospec-
tive production at 10,ss6,Oo0 bales.
Acreage this year shows a cut OF
81 per cent from last years the
decrease being s,247,Ooo acres the
total being ss,seo,ooo. The agitation
for a reduction in acreage which the
department of agriculture says oc-
,a ~ everv cotton-growing
state, the scarcity and high prlce OIL
labor and unfavorable planting ~ea'
ther caused the heavy decreases
The propaganda for reduction OF
acreage affected principally the lar
ger growers, according to the de-
rartment, but most of the smaller
nronr;etors and tenant farmers MAIN
t,;ned or even increased their plant
mos this wear. Many other farmers
who had not grown cotton for years
nlanted it this season hoping to re-
ceiye the high prices prevailing az
planting time.
Most sections report the crop late
and a scarcity of labor. Boil weeVhs
are reported very active in a large
portion of the belt.
In a statement on the cotton re-
port, the department said:
"The heavy cut of 81 per cent IN
1.-THE area devoted to cotton planting
/ |thh year has resulted from the scar
city and high price Of labor, unfavor'
able weather for planting and aoan-
'donment of fields in many sections
because of inability to get the plant
worked out of the grass, coupled with
an agitation in every cotton state Tor
reduction in the acreage.
"The propaganda for reduction OF
kcreaee affected principally the lar
E,er planters, but most of the small
propr,etors and tenant farmers who
bad disposed Of their 1918 crop at
high prices, maintained or even IN
creased their paintings. Many other
farmers who had not grown cotton
[or years planted it this season hop
ns to receive the high prices pre-
aling at planting time.
sIn portions of Texas, Oklahoma
nd along the northern border OF cot
on production, wheat was planted
hst fall because of the government
Fuaranseel price. In the sea island
ections Of Georgia and Florida there
a heavy reduction in acreage plant
3 to cotton because Of boil weevi
avages, as Is the case also in the
ewiy-infested sections OF Georgia
nd South Carolina, considerable
btton already planted having been
lowed UP and planted to other crops.
"There is general complaint IN
ost sections Of lateness too much
lin, grassy fields and a scarcity OF
bor. Because Of the mild winter
1918 and the wet season to date,
eevils are reported as very active
southern and eastern Texas, Ark
sas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaba-
a, Florida, large portion OF Geor-
and in southeastern South Caro-
ia. North Carolina reports infes-
lion by lice. Hail did local damage
Texas and Oklahoma. The weather
the northern part of the belt has
en- too cool for cotton. There is
t little tap-root. Droughty condi'
ms were complained of in portions
South Carolina only"
Washington, July 1.-Cotton pro-
.tion this year was forecast today
10,9Se,000 equivalent 500-pound
les by the department of agricul-
Ee, basing its estimate on the June
condition of the growing crop
ich was 70 per cent of normal
an area Of sS,s6o,OoO acres un'
cultivation on that date.
The acreage and condition on June
by states. this year, follows:
(Cont;nued from Page One)