The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-03-30
MANNING URGES FARMERS
TO PLANT LESS COTTON

appeal to the farmers of South Caro-
lima to plant less cotton and more
foodstuffs is made by former Govern
or Richard I. Manning in statement
issued yesterday. He declares that to
plant another normal crop of cotton
means hard times for every farmer
and every business interest in the
South. He urges that the banks lead
the South to prosperity in the pres
ent crisis by insisting upon radical
reduction in cotton acreage.
The statement issued by Mr. Man.
ming follows:
"The cotton South faces crisis.
She is impoverished by the wealth in
quantity of her chief staple, cotton.
"Let US know the truth and face
the facts.
"The government estimates cotton
carryover on July 81, 1921 at 1885,
208 bales. The Memphis committee
estimated that if the cotton crop OF
1921 shall be the same as the crop OF
1920, we will have carryover on
July 81, 1922 of 16,517,9Os bales;
enough cotton to last nearly two
years.
Get it out of your head that any
thing but the supply. and worlds
ability to buy, fixes the price Of cot
ton," says DR.. Bradford Knapp.
In 1920 South Carolina imported
m corn, s15,ooo,oOo hay, $4,000
600; oats s1O,OO0,O0o; meat $40, ,OO0-
900; flour s2O,OOo,OOo; eggs ss,ooo,-
600 and so on in other foodstuffs, all
of which we can raise cheaper than
we can buy with money from cotton.
"The cotton crop Of 1920 was the
most expensive crop ever raised. We
made more than we could harvest, and
have more low grade cotton than
ever before. The price has fallen from
over 40 cents and 10 cents basis mid
ding. But, the cotton on hand will
not average middling and the average
Price is much below 10 cents. Is there
any business sense in raising any
more low grade cotton? Cotton is be-
low prev war prices. Fertilizers, Ia
Dor, 'harware, foodstuffs, and every
thing that is needed in making crop
are far above pre-war prices. There
fore, there is not gamblers chance
for prcft in raising normal crop
this year. 1t is certain, unacceptable
loss. Land owners, share-croppers and
tenant farmers will all be subject to
loss. as we'll as every other business
interest in the South. The South
should and must continue to ra:e
cotton, but it can not do so unless it
returns living wage and fair pro-
fit to the producer.
"The remedy is self-evident.
"The Memphis plan provides that
two thirds of the cultivated area
should be in food and feed crops and
one-third of the area in cotton. This
plan will increase food production and
decrease production of cotton.
"When manufacturers find that
there is over production they curtail
production. There is an excess supply
Of cotton, more than the world can
,uy. It is, therefore, good business
Cor US to reduce cotton production
by reducing cotton acreage. Every
agency that will convince the cotton
producer of the necessity of reduc-
tion should be actively engaged.
"Our banks must be looked to as
leaders in this proposition. To them
farmers turn for advice, for help and
for credit. The banks have saved the
South from bankruptcy by holding
cotton from market in which there
IS little demand. In this acute crisis
they can lead the South to prosperity
by insisting on radical reduction in
otton acreage.
"To plant another normal crop
means hard times for every farmer
and every business in the South. To
plant less cotton, means better grade
of cotton and more money. The pro-
dueer will then be independent, and