The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1919-07-03
COTTONCROP MUCH
LESS THAN IN 1918
Forecast of Department of Agricul-
ture Places Prospective Production
at 10,985,800 Bales, Reduction
of 81 per Cent. For the Year.

Washington, July IA cotton crop
about 100000 bales smaller than
last years was forecast for this year
by the department of agriculture to-
day in estimating prospective pro-
duction at 10,9S5,O00 bales.
Acreage this year shows a cut of
1871 per cent. from last years, the de-
crease being 3,247,000 acres, the total
being 33,960,000. The agitation for a
reduction in acreage which the de-
partment of agriculture says occurred
in every cotton growing state, the
scarcity and high price of labor and
unfavorable planting weather caused
the heavy decrease.
The propaganda for reduction of
acreage affected principally the large
growers, according to the department,
but most of all the small proprietors
and tenant farmers maintained or
even increased their paintings this
year. Many other farmers who had
not grown cotton for years planted it
this season hoping to receive the high
prices prevailing at planting time
Most sections report the crop late
and scarcity of labor Boil weevils
are reported very active in large
portion of the belt.
In statement on the cotton report,
the department said:
"The heavy cut of 81 per cent. in
the area devoted to cotton this year
hos ,.ac,,l+al fro,,, tho ooaro;4x, onl
high price of labor, unfavorahle
weather for planting and, abandon
ment of fields in many sections be-
cause of inability to get the plant out
of the grass, coupled with an agita-
tion in every cotton state for reduc-
tion in the acreage.
"The propaganda for reduction of
acreage affected principally the larg-
er planters, but most of the small pro-
prietors and tenant farmers who had
disposed Of their 1916 crop at high
prices maintained or even increased
their paintings. Many other farmers
who had not grown cotton for years,
planted it this season, hoping to re-
ceive the high prices prevailing at
planting time.
'In portions of Texas and Oklaho-
ma and along the norther border Of
cotton production, wheat was plant
ed last fall because of the government
guaranteed price. In the Sea Island
sections of Georgia and Florida there
is heavy reduction in acreage plant
ed to cotton because of boil weeyil
ravages, as is the case also in the
newly infested sections of Georgia
and South Carolina, considerable cot
ton aLeady planted having been
plowed up and planted to other crops.
There is general complaint in most
sections of lateness, too much rain,
grassy fields, and a scarcity of labor.
Because of the mild winter of 1918
and the wet season to date, weevils
are reported as very active in south
ern Texas, eastern Texas, Arkansas,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
Florida, large portion of Georgia,
and in southeastern South Carolina.
North Carolina reports infectuation
by lice. Hail did local damage in
Texas and Oklahoma. The weather
in the northern part of the belt has
been too cool for cotton. There is but
little tap root. Drouthy conditions
were complained of in portions of
South Carolina only"
Condition by States.
The acreage and condition on June
25 in Arkansas was 2,701 900 and "a;
Oklahoma, 2,356,o00 and SO; Louisi-
ana, LAS, 900 and 61; Tennessee,
755, 900 and Ga; Texas, 10,755,000 and
60 The production last year was
12,040,532 bales.