The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1919-08-07
COTTON OUTLOOK
ONLY 67.1 PER CENT
CROP TWO WEEKS LATE AND
HAS DISEASED ROOT-NO
TAP ROOT

LaSC SATURDAY tne Ahlel1Soh WV
ton Association gave out the follow
ing statement:
"The government report shows
67.1 per cent. The American Cotton
Association report shows 81 per cent,
this report being the only correct
report issued of all private reports.
"The association is in receipt OF a
flood of kilograms from every Sec
tion of the country, and every phase
of cotton trade, from the producer
to the manufacturer, asking for de-
tail information. 1t being absolutely
impossible to reply to all of these
inquiries, however, the following
statement was issued:
In Poor Condition
"The general trade has no concep-
ton of the condition of the growing
crop. It is two or four weeks late; it
has a diseased root system, no tap
root; has less fruit than has ever
been known in the last twenty-five
years. Even with ideal seasons and
without insect damage and a late
frost only a moderate crop can be
made. With adverse seasons we are
facing a crop calamity. On account
of the sar~v condition of the crop,
the lateness of same and the above
conditions it offers an inviting field
to insect damage. Caterpillars would
bring a complete crop disaster. With
either adverse seasons or insect dam
age there would be more suffering
on account OF the need of raw cotton
than resulted in England during the
Civil War. In reply to inquiries con-
cernilg supply, cotton experts are
now morking on the cost of produc-
ton, supply and demand. With the
information before us we find that
the cost of production will be at
least one-third more than last year.
Profit for Producer
"a menimum price will be set,
based upon supply and demand, that
will bring to the producer profit in
line with the profits being made by
the manufacturers who are buying
cotton at the present prices and are
manufacturing it into cloth and
yarn. The manufacturer who post
pones buying cotton under these con-
ditions will find that he has adopted
an extremely poor business policy.
He will never live to see the day
when he will have the opportunity
of buying cotton as cheap as the
prices row prevailing. The minimum
prices of the American Cotton ASso-
ciation will be far in excess Of the
present prices. Beyond the question
of a doubt the cost Of production has
greatly increased.
: Preliminary Report
The American Cotton Association
is now making a preliminary condi.
ton report, showing conditions OF
cotton since July 25 up to date. This
condition indicated a still further
deterioration. Under these conditions
it would be absolutely impossible,
with even normal weather conditions
and without insect damage from now
on, to produce a crop in excess Of
100000 bales. The demand from
the world for raw cotton will be the
greatest ever known. 1t will exceed
supplies now on hand plus the yield
from the growing crop under normal
conditions by about 100000 bales.
Where will this cotton come from?
The spinners found when it was too
late they could not spin an imaginary
surplus of long staple cotton. We
state most positively that long sta
ple cotton the world over has been
absolutely exhausted. The manufac-
turers have an enormous amount OF
goods sold, based upon being able to
buy long staple cotton. This places
them in a dilemma as the purchas-
ers refuse to cancel. They can blame
none except themselves.
Concerning Short Staples
Concerning short staple cotton:
Included in the amount of short sta
ple cotton carried over on August l,
is an enormous amount of bolls which
are worthless and in addition to this
an enormous amount of rotten cot
ton. Our experts show the amount
of rotten cotton is the largest on
record. In addition to this. people are
being confused by these figures, not
realizing that they include linters
and regions. A man who actually
has spinnable cotton, if he sells it at
present prices, is living illustration
of fool and his money parting. Two
of the leading manufacturers in the
cotton trade have just informed me
that they can use cotton, basis mid
ding at from seventy to seventy
five cents per pound and make a
profit. In addition to this, one of the
leading manufacturers informs me,
81 have decided to accept your judg-
ment. l feel convinced that you are
correct, that man who has short
October cotton occupies very dan
gerous position, that for the first
time ever known in this cotton trade
those who hedge their cotton on the
exchange are faced with the certain
ty of enormous losses. The purchas-
ers of these contracts for the first
time will refuse to cancel: They will
demand white cotton under the new
ruling. They will take this action
because they know that there will be
In reply to the question being
asked in every section what Will De
hty a