The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-01-12
C0KER GIVES
COST OF COTTON
Discusses Present Situation in
Comprehensive Manner
A PROBLEM FOR NATION
Facts and Figures All Should
Know Concerning South's
Great Crop

Hartsville, Jan. 1O.-The Coker
| Cotton company, of Hartsville. of
which Mr.. David r. ColIer is presi-
dent, has just sent out to its custom
ers cotton news letter which in
comparatively brief space covers the
situation Of the south today in a way
that is exceptionally informing and
comprehensive. Mr.. Coker discusses
the cost Of making cotton and the ef-
feet upon the south and the country
OF the present low prices and gives
facts and figures which ought to be
known to all His letter follows:
AS the staple situation has shown
very little change since our letter OF
December i, we thought that our Gus
toners might like to have as discuss
the cost Of the production of cotton
and Its relation to the present and
future situation. We believe that few
outside Of the south, and by no means
all in the south, realize the distress
Ing features OF the present situation
or are able to diagnose their effect
upon the civilization Of the south and
the future OF the cotton industry A
brief consideration Of the facts how
ever. will promptly convince everyone
interested in the industry, whether in
the north or the south, that there Ia
no future for II at present prices and
that continuation Of present condi-
tons would threaten the civilization
Of the south.
Government statistics show that the
average production Of lint cotton in
the south Is between one-third and
four-tenths bales per. acre, but In or
der to show how impossible the pres
ent situation is we are going to first
discuss production figures under the
ideal conditions of a bale per acre
production at Is cents-a price above
the present market.
The bulk OF the crop Of the south
IS produced on share crop system,
the most popular snare contract in
this section being one undder which
the landowner furnishes the land,
buildings. planting seed and fertilizer
and the tenant furnishes the livestock
tools and labor. Ginning and baiing
expenses arc divided. Landlord and
enant divide the cotton equally, but
the landlord receives all Of the seed.
he the returns to landlord and tenant
On a twenty-acre crop of cotton pro-
duc!ng ole bale per acre.
The farm will contain about thirty
acres including little woodland and
n few acres for corn and other minor
crops. If the land is good enough to
produce bale per acre q fair valua-
'ticn for the farm including building
Will be between $1,000 and $4,000
y minimum charge for rent on the
cotton land. therefore, to cover in
ierest, repairs and taxes would be no
less than S25 per acre. The landlord
expecting bale OF cotton per acre
would buy not less than $50 worth OF
tertilizer per acre for the cotton and
as he must exercise supervision over
ms cropporS, charge of SIS per acre
Tor supervision should be made. The
total OF these expenses is $50 per acre.
fils returns Will be one-half bale OF
cotton al Is cents-$37.50; seed, $40;
total, $47.50; less one-half ginning.
-. Net income, $i4.50 per acre.
These figures show net loss to the
landowner Of $3.50 per acre Some
may object to the charging Of rent
and supervision to crop expenses. TO
his we answer that these are neces-
sary preliminary expenses for crop
production without which capital can
not be secured.
To make this crop tho tenant fur
hisheS mule and feed costing per
year SIPS; depreciation on imple-
mcnts, taxes, etc, $25: hire for pick
Ing ten bales Of cotton, $3.50; one-ha!f
~ iDy tAtn
labor Of himself, wife and three chill
drcn.
! iteceiptS from ten bales of cotton
at Is cents per pound ..... $3.50
Expenses besides labor of family $50
Divide this amount by 365 and you
get the magnificent sum OF $l.07 per
day with which the tenant must pur-
chase clothing, shoes and household
equipment and must supply a large
part OF the food for the family and
besides must pay the doctor and the
preacher if they are paid. 1t is true
that the tenant raises some corn.
few vegetable and sometimes has Il
pig or a few chickens. The pitiful
poverty under which most OF thcm
live. however, keeps them moving
from place to place. the average term
OF farm tenancy being about two
years. and it is the exception rather
than the rule for the tenant to have
any livestock besides his mule or any
poultry
Please uot' that with cotton at Is
cents per pound S1.O7 is the maximum
. a IA
the labor Of himself, his wife and
three children in producing the ideal
yield OF one bale Of cotton per acre
on twenty acres and this is Il larger
acreage than the average one-horse
crop in this section and must be fur
thCr Curiaiied this year. The tier,
Cor picking ten bales is absolutely
necessary for tho tenant and his fam