Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-09-28
The Blighted Cotton Crop:

From n standpoint OIL actual pros
duction, the Governments report of
the condition of cotton on August 25,
lgiving a percentage of 49.3 is calam-
itous. From the economic standpoint,
it may mean the salvation of the
South. The ravages Of the boil weevil
have become so extensive that ~ per
cent of the crop is affected. Long Pc
RODS of wet, cool weather combined
to give a big weed which boil weevil
in the flush of early invasion attack
ed voraciously, destroying all squares
and bolls set in August, and even
attacking the larger bolls. A crop
of 100000 bales is estimated, in
comparison with 100000. bales
last year. Although private reports
had pretty thoroughly forecast the
situation, confirmation by the Gov
eminent was even more pronounced
and anyone could believe possible.
The response of the market-was an
advance of 131 to LA points.
AS long as a crisis of this kind had
to be reached, no better time could
have been chosen. Practically every
agency available in the South advo-,
Gated a 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 of
the South has been severe. Advance
ing prices for cotton will bring about
a revival of all business in the South,
the effects of which will be felt by
the whole country.
Ali 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 indefi-
nitely deferred. The American Cot.
lton Association has submitted a ref
erendum vote to the cotton producers
of the fourteen cotton growing states.
on the questions, first, of total elimi-
nation of the cotton crop for the.
year 1922, and if necessary, every
other year for the fighting of the in
roads of the boil weevil; second, linn
itation of production for five con-
secutive years, planting only one
fourth of the cultivated lands in cot
ton, with a view of producing for one.
year, 1922, not in excess of 6,000,ss
900 bales. Results thus far tabulated
are preponderatingly in favor of to-
tai elimination of the cotton crop
next year., even the point of forcing
it by legislation. Limitation of pro-
duction for five consecutive years is
also favored.
Regardless of the welfare of indi-
vidual 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 sure method,
that of emitting the crop entirely for
a season. If the boil weevil can be
stamped out for all time by emitting
the 1922 crop, then the raising of
cotton should be forbidden by law
next year. From the supply stand
point, it can be done. This, however,
is considering it only from the basis
of saving future crops, and is akin
to the drastic measures necessary to
stamp out any plague.
Curtailpent 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 a fair profit over his
production costs and is entitled to
adopt similar methods to the manu-
facturer or any other producer. 1t is
legitimate to reduce production to
a point where a surplus is obviated.
To reduce production to the point
-L... c ,oo,o;t1, ;e oroota5