Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-04-22
COTTON SLUMP
STRIKES HARD
BLOW TO SOUTH
Thousands of Bales Rotting-
Farmers Will Diversity
Crops.
CRISIS OF HISTORY

ATLANTA, Ca, April 22-Facing the
grimmest fight since the days Of the re-
construction that followed the war be-
tween the States, Southern farmers today
are ready to practically abandon cotton
as the backbone of their crops and swing
over to commodities which will bring
them more revenue. They hope they will
not have to be drastic enough to serious
ly OBJECT production of this staple, which
in the past has brought many thousands
OF millions annually into this section,
but already steps have been taken to cut
into this years planting with sufficient
vigor, they believe, to force prices back
to something near normal
Conservative estimates place the num-
Der of cotton bales on the farms and in
warehouses now at 10000, 900. There are
fields scattered over the South spotted
white with cotton which has been left
to rot on the stalk. Formers would
rather it stayed there than go to the ex-
pense Of picking, ginning and shipping.
Many things have contributed to the
condition which makes the lot Of farmers
in Dixie unusually hard First, when
the North began Offering wages which
attracted the field hands. Some Of these
are now returning to the South, but many
others are not. Therefore, wages mount
ed to a prohibitive rate. White men are
not constructed to stand the whitening
heat of Southern cotton fields
Freight rates have shot up until ship
ment Of raw cotton now is a serious
business
Still-cotton prices are lower now than
before the war.
A canvas Of the situation in the "old
South" and extending into Oklahoma
Texas and Missouri, shows that State
departments have taker official cogniz-
ance of the situation and are urging
steps to Offset what might happen If
planters continued In the old way and
planted big cotton crops.
Soy beans, something comparatively
new in crops Of this country, will be
planted by many farmers. 1t is a val
liable food product with oil products con-
tributing to its value
These facts have been developed in
Investigations by the International News
Service:
Georgia's cotton acreage for this year
will not exceed one half that of 1920.
provided a survey made by the State
Is correct. Food and feed products will
require It.
Tennessee, which has one of the worlds
greatest cotton markets-Memphis-d
not raise a great deal of cotton, but
Memphis organizations are backing a
movement to cut the acreage Of that State
in half.
Nothing definite has been learned yet
in Oklahoma City circles regarding this
years crop, but strong pressure is being
brought to bear TO make the crop smaller
by half Letterheads now being used by
-
toon which shows a whirlpool on the
edge of the shore, diversified crops"
farmer struggles in the whirlpool, which
is marked the one-crop cotton whirl-
pool" IF we could arrange to raise
5000 600 bales in 1921 instead of 10000
bales the credit of the South would be
greatly improved" says a note on this
letterhead.
Florida-Various crops are being sub
stituted for cotton. Corn, peanuts, sugar
cane. hay, soy beans and similar prod
ucts will be increased this year to take
the place of cotton. Florida remember,
raises a large amount of sea island cot
ton, the rare long staple product which
grows only on the southern islands and
seacoast.
Arkansas-The propaganda has not fl
tered into Arkansas with full Roadway,
and State officials are doubtful if the
crop there will be decreased more than
enc fifth. Food products win be grown
where cotton IS abandoned.
Texas--Cooperative marketing under
way. Crop will be cut 80 per cent.
North Carolina-Cotton will be cut one
third. Corn peas, soy beang, potatoes
and other food crops win replsce it.
Louisiana-The reduction in this State
will be from so to 40 per cent, according
TO State estimates. Corn, velvet beans
and truck crops will be planted
Missouri - Watermelons, canteloupes.
potatoes, sweet potatoes and similar prod
ucts will cut heavily into cotton crops
here. County officials have organized to
help cotton growers.
administering definite, but 1t is
presumed this State will follow others.
South Carolina-Crop will be greatly
cut, probably 80 per cent, and food prod
ucts mainly substituted.
TOO EARLY FOR
1921 ESTIMATE.
1t is really too early Just now to gain
an accurate estimate of the 1921 crop,
for planting does not begin until May,
but pledges of farmers during the drive
conducted throughout the winter forms a
basis for computation. The only fear is
expressed by cotton handlers, who de-
clare many farmers will depend on their
neighbors to cut while they will con-
tiHue to plant heavily.
Cooperative marketing plans are max
Ing their entrance. One of these is be-
Ing heavily backed in Georgia. Ten
nessee. also, is strongly behind one.
Farmers under this plan would be obliged
to deliver their cotton to a central sta
ton, which would control its marketing
II in,
the price, to a great extent, would be sta
bhized. Oklahoma farmers have been
combined in one of these plans Texas ia
organizing.
ANfA1ONS OF Us%SAS