The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-08-14
As It Looks In Texas
By w. B.-YEARY, Cotton Specialist, State Department Of AcricnIture. Texas.

&Grlcuttures Ic1Hss
 It is generally conceded that the 1919 cotton crop will be a short one, and pos sibly shorter than either of the four pre- ceding it. Considering the expense of producing it, the short yield and the con- ceded~large demand for cotton, a much higher price than has been paid during the past two seasons are naturally an- ticipated. But the south has had experi- ence enough in the past to know it will not do to depend upon what conditions of supply and demand would justify. The past four crops have been very short, and the past two have been very expensive ;y make. The demand has exceeded the pro- duction of the four crops and reserves have been used to keep such mills run ming as were permitted to have cotton until the reserve of spinable cotton is about exhausted.
 The expense of production, the supply and demand, and the value of cotton as compared to its competitors, silk, wool and flax, have fully justified the highest prices it has sold for. Still, strenuous eff fort by combinations of manipulators were made to force these crops to sell for 15 cents. and but for the strong or ganization of the farmers by the depart ments of agriculture of the cotton pro- ducing states to name a price and hold for it, it is conceded by cotton experts, spinners and brokers that IS cents would have been about the price which the two crops would have sold for.
 So it will not do for farmers. merchants or banks who depend upon cotton as their money crop to relax their efforts and depend upon favorable supply and de- mand conditions to maintain profitable prices. We must remember there is at the other end an ever awake enemy to profitable prices, and to the producers controlling the price. They are studying every scheme conceivable to reduce the price and prevent the producers having a voice in it. Controlling spot cotton is the only weapon that will win
 Financing schemes and new cotton as- sociations world cotton conferences and other movements, originated and fostered by spinners and cotton gamblers, should not be considered as efforts to aid the producers to maintain profitable prices. If any of these should develop aid to the producers a monkey wrench" Is sure to be thrown in the main driving wheel and it's work stopped Now is the time for the friends of cotton to keep wide awake; hold public meetings. discuss con ditions and be prepared to handle the crop to the best advantage of all. This should include means of meeting obliga- tions of the farmers without selling enough to oversupply the demands of the spinners and being prepared to stop sell ing at once if slump occurs. Present financing conditions. negotiable warehouse receipts, the reserve banks and other available helps make it easily possible to maintain prices without injury to busi- ness.
 The legislature of Texas has adjourned after finishing the appropriation bills. In this respect it will be interesting to farm CTS to know that the bureau of markets and that of the institutes. both of the department of agriculture, the channels through which aids in marketing cotton pass fared better than they have been the past two seasons, and great improve ments toward stabilization of prices are anticipated the next two years.
 Extreme activity towards strong coop eration between bankers, merchants ana farmers from now until the crop is dis posed of should be the uppermost thought. To dispose of the crop as fast as gathered should not be dreamed or. Foreign nations cannot buy 1t so fast, neither are there ships enough to haul it as fast. To attempt to sell it faster than it can be paid for and shipped sim ply invites a slump and plays into the hands of the enemy.
 Several members of the legislature who have made cotton marketing a study have rendered their services, and helr from this department may be depended upon at public gatherings if requests are made Cor them when not engaged.