Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-02-16
Cotton Statistics Given and
Seriousness of Situation
Presented.

Declaring that the time has come
when the truth regarding the cotton
situation must be driven to every
farmer in the state, the South Caro-
lima Division of the American Cotton
Association has issued a statement
appealing to every organization in
South Carolina to assist it in its ef-
forts to secure an acreage reduction
in the state this year.
Statistics are given which tend to
show that on the first of next August,
before bale of the 1921 crop is
picked, there will be on hand sur
plus of over 100000 bales, or al
most one year crop. 1t is declared
that the planting of anything like
a normal acreage in cotton this year
will be simple suicidal business
policy, not a,one for farmers but
for every business interest in the
South. For this reason it is declared
that the business and professional
men should be active in the move
ment to secure acreage reduction.
s'The gravity of the situation con-
fronting the South as regards the
planting of another cotton crop and
the apprehension on our part that
there are thousands of people in our
state who do not comprehend just
what we are up against impels US to
issue this appeal to the farmers, bus
mess and professional men of South
Carolina" says the statement issued
by the South Carolina Division of
the American Cotton Association.
eve feel that it is our duty to place
the facts squarely before them, as
startling as they are, in order that
every organized agency in the state
may join in with us in our efforts to
see to it that no farmer in South Car
olina plants over one-third of his
cultivated land in cotton this year.
To do otherwise will be to invite dis
aster and financial bankruptcy.
Gone of the most alarming fea-
lures of the present situation is that
there are so many who contend that
thew can not meet the requirements
of the association that they plant
only one-third of their land in cot
ton. They seem not to stop to con-
slider that it would perhaps be better
that they plant no cotton at all than
to plant it and be forced to sell next
fall at price far below the cost of
production, which we believe they
will surely have to do if over one
half crop is raised this year. To those
who still have their last years crop
on hand we would say that the pres
ent indications are that they would
profit by not planting bale because
a half crop this year would mean that
they would get more for their last
years crop than they would get for
last years crop and this years crop
combined if over half-crop is
planted this year.
"Now what are the facts about
the cotton situation? Here they are,
and we hope every farmer in South
Carolina, white and colored, who can
read, will read them and that some
body will read them to every one
who can not read:
"On August 1, 1920, there was a
surplus of American cotton on hand,
according to Hester, of 6,oS6,OOO
bales.
'The ten-year average amount of
American cotton on hand August 1,
is 100000 bales.
'It is thus seen that the surplus
on hand on last August 1, was almost
six times larger than the average
amount on hand at that time.
"The probable amount of surplus
cotton on hand on August l., 1921,
is estimated by those who are in good
position to know, at over 100000
bales, or almost a one-year crop.
"The greatest consumption OF
American Cotton ever known in one
year was 100000 bales. Ten
year average of consumption of
American cotton prior to the great
war was 100000 bales. With so
many of the foreign mills shut down
you may figure for yourself as to how
much will be consumed this year.
."The American crop of 13,O0O,-
600 bales this year indicates world
supply of all kinds of cotton, includ-