The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-04-28
BETTER TO BUY COTTON THIS
YEAR THAN TO GROW 1T


from II, 100000 bales. That amount
is fully 2,0o0,0OO,0OO bales larger
than was threatened before the
Christmas holidays, when the acreage
committee predicted that the carry
over would not be less than 100000
bales. Thus it is that our fears have
not only been confirmed but the stu
alton is even worse than we seemed
warranted in predicting few months
ago.
A desperate effort has been made
during the last three weeks to advance
the price of cotton. It is trick of
those who want cheap cotton, to ad-
vance the price about planting time.
The trick has been used so often that
1T can now deceive no one. Efforts to
advance the price of cotton, while de-
termined, have failed, and this fact of
itself should be sufficient warning
to farmers not to be misled. When
those who want cheap cotton and who
ordinarily control the price of cotton
cannot advance the price for a pur-
pose, it is not likely that the farmer
will be able to advance it.
Cotton acreage must be reduced
and the reduction must be adequate.
Anything less than SO per cent COM
pard with last year will not be ade-
quate.
There~is now enough cotton in the
world unspun to last nearly two years.
The world will carry over this year
more American cotton than was spun
during the past twelve months.
The carry-over, including linters,
may approximate II, 100000 bales, or
from five to six times a normal carry
over Of American cotton.
The United States cannot consume
more than about 100000 bales of
| cotton annually.
Europe, which ordinarily takes the
surplus of the American crop, or
about so per cent. of the crop, is very
| unpromising as market, because of
| deprecated currency and lack of Sc
curlty to offer as basis of credit
The buying power of the world is
far below normal, but the supply of
cotton is now vastly in excess of ev-
cry normal requirement.
1t Will cost more to produce a now
crop than it can be sold for at pres
ent prices and there IS no present
prospect that prices will advance.
Cotton can now he bought cheaper
than ii can be produeeI. 1t is better.
therefore, to buy cotton or to hold
what you now own than 10 grow more.
Every bale purehased tends to ad-
Vance prices; every acre planted tend.
to make prices 60 down.
Unless Gotten can be produced
proftably it would be worse than fol-
~ to attempt to produce it at all.
1t is impossible to recover losses bv
mourning more losses-.that is the
road to bankruptcy.
unless cotton can be sold it will NOT
pay debts or taxes, neither can we
eat it.
Cotton is no longer a cash COM
modify.
For the first time in your life, it is
dlfhcult if not impossible to sell cot
| ton.
Inc cotton farmer, at the best, re-
ceives returns for his labor but once a
year. He turns his capital only once q
year, whereas under diversified sys-
TEN OF farming, returns are received
many times year.
| ANY one crop system is uneconomic.
because under it no plan of farm man.
agement can be devised which will,
give maximum yearly use of tools,
equipment and labor. The one crop
farmer, particularly the cotton farm
er' hnds it difficult if not impossible to
keep prohtably employed the wear
round.
If you grow cotton without GROWING
1000 Tor man and feed for beast. we
snail all be worse OF than BANKRUPT.
maybe starving this winter when the
WIND whistles through our meatless
smoke houses and cornless corn cribs.
Diversified farming will raise the
standard of living in the South.
diversified farming will mako
healthier and happier women and chill
dren, more and better schools and
churches, manlier and more content
ed men. In short, more ambitious.
better educated, thinking and more
intelligent citizenship.
FARMERS who have depended ent;re-
~ upon cotton and cotton alone. are
virtually bankrupt today, whereas
farmers who have diversified more or
less, have food for themselves and
FAMILIES and feed for their stock and
money in the bank.
The South stands at the parting of
the ways. 1t is up to you.
Every farmer ought to own a cow.
sow and some chickens.
| Mt0hk Will