Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1922-05-31
COMMISSIONER HA&Ris,s VIEWS
After Seeing Conditions in Texas and
Other Cotton Ccnters-HoId!
Columbia, S. c., May 27.

started on my way to attend a Pure
food and Drug Convention to be
held in Galveston, Texas, on the Sth,
9th, 10th and 18th. In order that
might see as much of the present
condition Of the crops as possible,
from New Orleans | went over the
Sunset Route to Houston, Texas, and
In coming back / came over the
Southern Pacific railroad to Dallas
and Fort Worth. From Fort Worth
| came over the Texas Pacific by way
Of Little Rock, Ark, Memphis, Tenn,
through northern Alabama by way Of
birmingham and North Georgia to
Atlanta. These two routes carried
me over some Of the best cotton land
in the following States: The Pied
mont belt Of South Carolina and
Georgia on by Montgomery and Mo-
bile, Ala. From New Orleans | went
through LU ,isiana into Texas. On
my return ,riD 1 camc through Ar
kansas and Tcnnesses. | saw men
from every section Of the cotton belt.
so 7 got direct and positive facts in
regard to each section Of the great
State Of Texas.
In South Texas, where the cotton
Is now fruiting, the boil weevil is
reported IN greater numbers than
ever before at this season OF the year
and doing greater damage, as the
winter was SO warm that great num-
bers came through in active condi-
lion. In West Texas we hear great
deal OF dope put out by the bear
spectators stating what fine pros
pect they have there. On the 18th
Of this month they had one of the
worst storms that had ever been
known in that section. All the low
lands were overflowed and the worst
hail storm that ever visited that sec
ton were among their disasters. 1t
was reported that at least 10000
acres Of cotton was damaged.
From Houston to Fort Worth,
distance of 800 miles, | travelled in
the daylight. That was on the 18th.
crossed four rivers on that trip, and
each was out Of it's banks, the waters
sasssIa
portion Of this land will not be plant,
ed this year. If they have any more
rain it could not be planted before
the early days Of June.
On my arrival in Dallas 1 called
at the Federal Farm Bureau office,
which is located there, handling the
cooperative Marketing Association
of farm products. l saw the presi-
dent, Mr.. Orr. l found him to be
very pleasant gentleman and we'll in
formed as to crop conditions. l ask
ed him what proportion Of the Texas
crop was to be planted and to be
planted over. He said that at least
so per cent Of the crop up to the
] Sth Of this month (May), taking
tho flooded districts into considera-
ton, was YET 20 plant, and from what
could see l think he was about cor
rect.
| saw great many good farmers,
also business men and some bankers,
who have lived in Texas for forty
years, and they have kept in close
touch with agricultural conditions.
They all said Texas has the poorest
prospect for a crop to this date they
had seen in forty years, and they
could not make anything like an ay-
erage crop this year owing to the
likeness Of the planting and eXces-
sive floods and cold, rainy weather.
| saw some good cotton dealers who
don't hesitate to say that with ideal
seasons from now on 1--WE cannot
make over eight and a half to nine
million bales this year."
Now, rs to acreage, IL 1T had not
been for the floods and heavy rains,
Texas would have increased Is per
cent in acreage, but on account of
| the floods she will not more than
| duplicate her 1921 acreage, and |
doubt if she does that. Arkansas cam
not increase on account Of the same
conditions existing in that State. The
only States increasing in acreage are
Oklahoma and North Carolina. TAX
ing the cotton belt as a whole there
will be no increase in acreage this
year. | rather believe there will bo
a decrease in the acreage.
have said all the time that we
were going to sec cotton very much
higher, and that in 1928 we would
sec cotton higher than it sold for in
1919. ] am still Of that opinion. We
now have q real world famine in
cotton-the world Is nearly naked
No one has had anything like as
many cotton goods as they need, and
the world is now beginning to get
uneasy as to where the cotton fabric
is to come from to clothe 1t with
Every yard Of cotton goods you buy
now you pay on a basis of 80 cents
a pound for cotton, and from this
date on you will see material rise
in price. Don't sell bale unless you
have to. receive many letters al
most every day now stating that the
boil weevil Is sucking the bud Of tho
cotton.
want to urge the farmers to plant
row Of corn every eight feet across
tho cotton rows. And remember to