The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1920-03-14

In all parts of the United States outside OF the
Southern States there was decrease last year, as
comnared with 1915 in the combined output OF corn
wheat and oats of 236,OO000O bushels while IN the
South these grains showed an increased production
of $500 O0Oabushels.
In corn the South made gain of 207 100000 BUSH
els in wheat an increase of 46,40O0OO bushels, and
in oats S2OO0O00 bushels.
In the rest of the country outside OF the South
the re was an increase in of 2075O0,OO0 bushels,
but decline in wheat of 26,700,000 bushels, and
falling off in the production of oats of over 4lo-
100000 bushels.
Under htese circumstances it is not surprising
that the South has made greater percentage OF
increase in the total value agricultural products
than the rest Of the country
According to figures compiled by the Manufactur-
ers Record from the monthly reports of the United
States Department of Agriculture, the estimated
value of all crops in 1919 for the South was $7O22
10000 and for the rest of the country outside OF
the country outside of the South, 49, 76S.277,00o
In other Words the South last year produced A
per cent of the entire crop values Of the country
in 1919 And of this amount the total cotton value,
including seed, was little more than $2,O45oOO OOo
nearly $5O0OOOO0OO being the value of its diversi-
fed crops. In these figures it must be understood
that no account is taken of the value of livestock
production in the South or elsewhere These stats
tics relate wholly to crops. r a,.
The value of the Souths crops in 1919, largely
made I'D by the enormous increase in its grain out
put was nearly $1,166,0O0000 more than in 1918,
while in the rest of the country there was a gain
of only 29,SOOOOO, this gain being made up in the
rest Of the country more largely by increased prices
than. by any gain in yield. as4 J,slApss oh sseaaf
The increase in the crop values Of the South in
1919 over 1918 was stated $1,166,00O 600, or -
per cent.
The increase in the rest of the country was $780,
100000, or per cent.
The increase in the total value for the country
81, 695 sos 900, or ~ per cent. a@ L
Comaring the crop values in 1919 over the avecSs
age for the fiyeyear period of 19131917 the South
shows gain of 1903 S28,OO, 1O5 per cent, while
in the rest of the country the gain $3,794212,
900, or rs per cent Thus nearly onehalf of the
entire gain made nj crop values in 1919 over the
average for the fve-year period Of 19131917 was
made by the South.
1t is important that it should be emphasized and
re-emphaszed that while there has been consider
able increase in the value of cotton the great in
in diversified agriculture in the South is
sponsibe for very large proportion of this increase
in the total value. 1t is startling fact in connec-
ton with the grain production of the country that
there was decline of $4,000 900 bushels in the rest
of the country last year in contrast with gain Of
335,5OO0O bushels in the Southern States
Not only would it be disaster to the South and
to the country, but disaster to the world if the
South tempted by the expectation of full prices
for cotton, should lessen its grain production. If
during 1919 the South had made no gain in grain
production, corn, wheat and oats, we wuld have
had net decrease for the country Of 236,00O0 900
bushels, which would have meant very much higher
prices for corn and meats than we are now having,
and upon the South will largely depend whether
during the next crop year we shall face something
of food famine or not
The increase in the United States winter wheat
acreage of % per cent, or 100000 acres, and a
similar percentage of decrease in rye, are among
the most significant signs of the times, showing the
tremendous decline in the grain producing regions
OF the West of the acreage given to winter ctops If
hits decline of 20 per cent in the acreage of wheat
and rye should be followed by similar decline in
the corn acreage, we would inevitably be confronted
by scarcity of food next winter which would be
appalling in its effect. decreased corn crop means
decreased meat production This is already in
evidence in Kansas and other par is of the West.
Unless the decrease which is taking place in the
West is offset by increase in the South. we shall
have prices for wheat, and meat products very
much higher than those now prevailing and under
those conditions even high-priced cotton would not
to the Southern planter offset the higher prices for
food and feedstufs, and the country at large would
be tremendous sufferer
The people who clamoring to induce the South
to increase its cotton acreage at the expense of its
food crops are doing either From direct selfish
motives, hoping to secure larger supply of raw
material for their own needs or else they are doing
it from density of ignorance and stupidity as to
economic conditions which makes them wholly unfit
to be public advisers There are many people claim
ing to be authorities who are writing for the press
Of the North as though they were mighty oracles,