The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1919-04-15
COTTON PROSPECTS
OF WIDE INTEREST
LITTLE FLOWING BEEN POSI-
BILE IN So PER CENT. OF AREA.
LESS FERTILIZER BOUGHT.

The eyes of the world are now
turned toward the cotton-growing
section of the United States, and
questions are being asked as to
weather conditions, crop prepare
tions, labor conditions, organizations
of farmers to reduce cotton acreage,
the change in acreage, fertilizers,
crop diversifcation and the holding
movement.
James L. Watkins & Son, cotton
statistical bureau of H. F. Bachman
& Co., of New York, has compiled
figures up to March IA from ques-
tionnaires sent to 639 cotton grow
ing counties, showing that the wealth
er has been favorable for crop prep
aration in sixty counties, partly ia
vorable in twenty-eight counties, and
unfavorable in 551 counties. in 9TH
er words reports show that in SO per
cent. of the cotton area the rainfall,
especially east of the Mississippi, has
! been so excessive that very little
blowing has been possible. In nearly
20 per cent. of this area no prepare
ton whatever has been made. In the
| southwest the weather has been more
| favorable, and more progress has
| been made in preparing the cotton
| lands.
Farmers Three Weeks Behind.
In only sixty-nine counties was it
found that crop preparations were
about normal as to time. In 531
counties the farmers averaged three
weeks behind time. In ten counties
preparations are some twelve days
ahead of normal
In 293 counties labor conditions
are about normal. In 345 counties
there is a shortage of labor. More
i than As per cent. of the counties re-
porting state chat the labor situation
is serious. This is especially true in
the southeast, where labor is not on
! ly insufficient, but where the demand
is for So to $4 day for ordinary
ploughmen. In the southwestern sec
ton day labor is commanding So a
day and more.
In APT counties the farmers have
organized for the purpose of reduc-
| ing acreage. The various pledges
average a cut of about one-third in
acreage. In Georgia and the Carroll
mas, however, this means that the
| farmer who has been cultivatlng tif-
teen to eighteen acres to the plough
will this year cultivate ten to twelve
acres to the plough. With favorable
weather and more intensive cultiva-
ton this cut in acreage may not
mean any less cotton produced. In
| 210 counties there is no organized
effort to reduce acreage, but in a
| total of 627 counties the indications
are that the cut in cotton acreage
will amount to about 16 per cent.
Fertilizer Reduced rs Per Cent.
The indications are that the cot
ton farmers are reducing the use of
| fertilizers more than rs per cent.
! This is due to two facts: First, an
increase of some $40 a ton in the
price; second, spot cotton is still
! quoted several cents below the actual
cost of production. The indicated
cuts in the percentage for fertilizers
| for the several southeastern states
are as follows: North Carolina, 78;
South Carolina, IA; Georgia, 70;
Alabama, 40; Florida, 81; 'Mississip-
pi, 49, Louisiana, 80; Tennessee, 81.
In virtually all those counties
where farmers are pledged to reduce
the cotton acreage they are also
pledged to diversifcation of crops.
In other counties, however, there will
be a voluntary Investigation in a
marked degree.
Farmers Still Holding.
Of the holding movement about all
there is to be said is that the farm
ers are still holding.