The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-07-04
Department of Agriculture Esti-
mates 1t Will Be 1O,9S6.OOO
Bales-Acreage Cut.
CROP IN POOR CONDITION
South Carolina is Estimated
to Have 2,706,O0O Acres
and the Condition of Crop
Is 7S.

Washington, July 3-Cotton pro-
duction this year was forecast at
10,9S6,000 equivalent 5OO-pound
bales by the department of agricul
ture, basing it's estimate on the June
25 condition of the growing crop
which was 700 per cent of a normal
and an area Of 33,96O,OOO acres un
der cultivation on that date.
cotton crop Of about 100000
bales smaller than last years was
forecast for this year by the de-
partment of agriculture in estimating
prospective production at 1886
900 bales.
/ acreage this year shows cut of
81 per cent from last years, the
decrease being 3,247,O0O acres, the
total being 33.96O,OOO. The agita-
| tion for a reduction in acreage which
the department of agriculture says
occurred in every cotton growing
state. the scarcity and high price of
labor and unfavorabe planting
weather. caused the heavy decrease
The propaganda for reduction OF
acreage affected principally the lar
: ger growers, according to the de-
partment, but Of the smaller pro-
prietors and tenant farmers main
tanned or even increased their plant
ings this year. Many other farmers
who had not grown cotton for years
planted it this season hoping to re-
cetve the high prices prevailing at
: planting time.
I Most sections report the crop late
and scarcity of labor Boil Wee
wills 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
the area devoted to cotton planting
this year has reulted from the scar.
y. city and high price OF labor, unfavor.
able weather for planting and aban.
donment Of fields in many sections
| because of inability to get the plant
worked out of the grass. coupled
f with an agitation in every cotton
e state for reduction in acreage
-. "The propaganda for reduction OF
acreage affected principally the lar
ger planters. but of the small pro
' prietors and tenant farmers, who
Il had disposed OF their 1918 crop al
high prices. maintained or even in.
creased their paintings. Many Other
farmers who had not planted cotton
for years planted this year, hoping
l to get high price.
: "In portions of Texas, Oklahoma
and along the northern border OF
cotton production. wheat was plant.
ed last fall because of the govern.
ment guarantee. In the Sea Island
sections of Georgia and Florida there
is a heavy reduction in acreage
planted to cotton because Of boil
: weevil ravage as is also the case in
l the newly infested sections Of Geor
gia and South Carolina, considerable
cotton already planted having beer
There is a general complaint ir
' some sections of lateness, too much
rain. grassy fields and scarcity OF
labor. Because of the mild winter
= OF 1913 and the wet season to date
we"Nils are reported as very active in
southern and eastern Texas. Arkan-
sas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama
1 Florida, n large portion Of Georgia
and in southeastern South Carolina
North Carolina reports infestatiOn
by lice. Hail did local damage in
Texas and oklahoma The weather
: in the northern part in the belt has
been too cool for cotton. There Is
but little tap-root. Droughty condi.
3 tions were complained OF in portions
of South Carolina only"
The acreage and condition or
\ June 25. by states. follows:
= Virginia, $4,000 acres and condi.
T tion 80.
!. North Carolina, ,454 900 and SO
3 South Carolina, 2.706, 900 and 7S
: Georgia, 5.262,OO0 and 72.
: Florida, 10000 and 81.
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