The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-05-27
BASIC COTTON FACTS.


Inc governments weekly repOFtS:
as to how climatic conditions are af-
fecting the growth of the cotton
plant are. by far, the most trustwor-
thy information to be had, certainly
more trustworthy than any that come
from private sources.
However, basic conditions under
which the plant begins its life modi-
fy, often very vitality so, the influence
these climatic developments have up
on the final outturn. Hence, to in
telligently interpret these weekly re-
ports it is essential to have a clear
understanding as to- whether, and to-
what extent, the beginning was be-
low or above normal.
The Importance of this was dis
cussed at some length in these letters
on March 20, so no discussion in de-
tail is necessa ry here, except perhaps.
to reemphasize its importance by
pointing out that il the plant begins
it's life something below normal, it is
reasonable that it will take favorable
conditions something above normal
to bring the final yield up to any
thing like a normal average. In 9TH
er words, the modifying effects Of the
start must be carefully considered, or
we are apt to go astray in estimating
the effect of current climatic develop
n ents Of the final yield.
Preparations: The preparation is
somewhat more imperfect than last
year which was below normal. Last
year, this was due to unfavorable
weather during the plowing season
and to an inadequate labor supply.
This year, the unfaverable weather
has been greater in extent than last
and the labor supply has been less
This labor situation is common to
every part of the belt. An excess of
moisture has been common in the
East this season and lack Of it has
been common in the West. This ap-
plies to the time during which the
soil is prepared for the seed. Recent
.ly the tendency has been to reverse
these conditions.
Planting: 1t appears that about 80
Fer cent of the crop is yet to be
planted. This does not include the
amount to be replanted which is con-
siderably more than has been neces-
sary in recent years. The start Is
about thirty days late.
Stands: The stands are poor. 1t is
claimed that this is due to low tenn
peratures and excessive moisture east
of the river and too little moisture
west of the river. While this is to
some extent true, it appears to be due
to a much greater extent to imper-
feet seed, the result Of excessive rains
during the harvesting season last
year. The fact that poor stands are
common to practically every part OF
the belt tends to confirm this con-
clusion.
Fertilizers: The information as to-
fertilizers is rather scant and unsat-
isfactory. Such as is to be had indi-
Gates considerable increase over the
amount used last year which, at least
looks reasonable. The effect of fer
tilizers will be neutralized to some ex-.
tent by prevailing weather conditions.
Labor: The labor situation can be
summed up as inadequate, inefficient
and Indifferent. They are demanding
about $25 per month more than last
year and the demand continues great
er than the supply even at this ad-
vance. Some authorities estimate the
shortage at rs per cent. The hasty
and imperfect preparation which is
general, indicates. however, that the
shortage is something more than this
. Acreage: Landlords are taking m
to consideration as they never did be-
fore, that it takes about four times
more labor to harvest the crop, within
the normal season, than it does to
cultivate it. They realize also. that
il not harvested within the season, II
usually means very great loss IN
both weight and quality, and, conse-
quetnly, a very great increase in the
cost OF production. This has been a
potent factor in preventing the big
increase anticipated last fall, and
will probably KEEP the increase. If
there is any at all, within negligible
limits.
/ Summary: Indifferent preparations;
late start and poor stands are CON-
mon, except in inconsiderable areas,
4 " SNCIy pdil VI luc USll. L Ills
dicates a general weakness, in the
crop that favorable conditions from
now on could not, reasonably, be ex-
pected 10 overcome, at least, suffi-
ciently to insure the production Of
such crop as the urgent needs OF,
the world call for. Such seem a fair
estimate Of the basic conditions UNI
: der which the crop begins its life
this year.
The outlook naturally suggests: II
an inadequate labor supply is making
proper preparation and cultivation
difficult now, what will be the effect
of this inadoquacy when it comes TO
harvesting the crop? Does it not
mean that most of the crop must be
harvested out Of season, or that all
excessive price must be paid 10 So
cure sufficient labor to harvest it in
season?
In either case, does il not point to
4 crcat increase in the cost Of the