The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-09-21
The B11cHrED cofToN eRof

From the standpoint of actual pro-
duction, the Governments report lof
the condition of cotton on Aug. rs
giving a percentage Of 1913 is calam-
itous. From the economic standpoint,
it may mean the salvation of the
South. The ravages of the boil Wee
vii, have become so extensive that II
per cent. of the crop is affected. Long
periods of wet, cool weather combin-
ed to give big weed which boil wee
vii in the flush of early invasion at
tackled vpraciously, destroying all
squares and bolls set during August
and even attacking the larger bolls.
A crop Of 100000 bales is estimat-
ed, in comparison with 100000
bales last year. Although private re-
ports had pretty thoroughly forecast
the situation, confirmation by the
Government was even more pronounc-
ed than anyone could believe posi-
BILE. The response of the market was
an advance of 131 to 144 points. .
AS long as crisis of this kind had
to be reached, no better time could
have been chosen. Practically every
agency available in the South advo-
Gated reduction in acreage for this
years crop Of so per cent, but sue
ceeded in obtaining only 80 per cent,
although this, was considered a re-
markable accomplishment. Nature
seems to have completed the task for
them, for another large crop on the
heels of the large carryover from last
year would have spelled disaster. Cot
ton has been practically unstable for
almost a year and the prostration o.
the South has been severe. Advanc-
ing prices for cotton will bring about
revival of all business in the South,
the effects Of which will be felt by
the whole country. -
All this, however, has to do with
present conditions of supply and de-
mand. In the course of time it will
be, necessary to look once more to the
South for a large production Of cot
ton. That will not be next year or the
year after, but it will not be indefn-
itely deferred. The American Cotton
Association has submitted a referen-
dunn vote to the cotton producers of
the fourteen cotton growing states on
the questions, first, of total elimina-
ton Of the cotton crop for the year
1922, and if necessary, every other
year for the fighting of the inroads
of the boil weevil; second, limitation
of production for five consecutive
years, planting only one-fourth OF
the cultivated lands in cotton, with
q view of producing for the year
1922 not in excess of 5000, 900 bales.
Results thus far tabulated are pre-
ponderatingly in favor of total elm
nation of the cotton crop next year,
even the point Of forcing it by legis-
lation. Limitation of production for
five consecutive years is also favored.
: Regardless of the welfare of indi-
Hdual farmers, the ravages of the
boil weevil must be stopped. Heroic
measures are necessary. All efforts
made thus far have been futile, so
that resort has practically become
necessary to the one sur e method,
that of omitting the crop entirely for
a season. If the boil weevil can be
stamped out for all time by omitting
the 1922 crop, then the raising Of cot
ton should be- forbidden by law next
year. From the supply standpoint, it
can be done. This, however, is con-
sidering it only from the basis of saw
ing future crops, and is akin to the
drastic measures necessary to stamp
out any plague.
Curtailment of production to force
higher prices is another phase of the
question entirely. 1t is defensible on
exactly the same grounds as the man
ufacturer shutting down his plant
when he is overstocked. The farmer
is entitled to fair profit over his
production costs and is entitled to
adopt similar methods to the manu-
facturer or any other producer. 1t is