The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-12-13
FUTURE SUPPLY OF COTTON
Car the World Find New Sources of Cotton
s Production to Compete With the South ?

there was no likelihood for half a
century cf sufficient increase in
population III that region to mate
rally add to the worlds cotton
supply.
In the study of what England has
been trying to do for more than a
century in creating cotton grow
ins industry elsewhere. we can
not find that there is the slightest
indication of any greater relative
progress being made today than
was being made seventy-five years
ago. Wnen carefully slfted all OF
|the reports about cotton growing
in Africa and Brazil and elsewhere
amount only to a suggestion that
possibly within the next thirty to
fifty years some of these countries
may develop into fairly large cot
ton producing regions; but there is
no evidence whatever that for some
years to come will their cot
ton production increase to suffi-
cient extent to take care of the
worlds rapidly increasing demand
for cotton.
The essential thing for the South
to do is to produce first its Own
foodstuffs in order that every farm
or may be se1f-sustaining in the
matter. Of food and decrease its
cotton acreage to such an extent
that this may be properly handled
through intensive cultivation.
Cotton acreage should be largely
decreased. it should be more heav-
ily fortified and more intensively
cultivated, and under these condl-
tons the boil weevil problem may
be met and the South continue to
raise fair supply of cotton. We
see no likelihood. however, for some
years to come. of the South seri-
ously increasing its cotton supply
except at prices heretofore regard
ed as impossible to secure.
Moreover, it is the duty of every
well wisher Of the South to dis
courage increased acreage In cot
ton. and to encourage increased
acreage in foodstuffs. 1t would be a
calamity to this section if the
higher prices now prevailing should
tempt the farmers to prepare for
a larger acreage. They could not
cultivate it properly if they did SO.
.Slovenly cultivation would Simply
increase the ratases Of the boil
weeyil, and the destruction by the
weevii might far exceed any pos
sible Increase by larger acreage.
In a rather careful study for the
last forty years of the efforts which
have made for over a century to
grow cotton in other lands, the
Manufacturers Record still adheres
to the position which it has long
held, that there is no serious COM
petition with the South in sight for
many years. It does not believe
that the South should make any eff
fort to increase its cotton produc-
tien over the yield Of this. year, ex-
cept on basis Of prices which
would make the world pay a living
profit for this essential staple.
Measured By what should have
been a fair valuation for cotton
during the last fifty years, this sec
ton has made present to the
world out of its resources of muscle
and brain and soul of not less than
90 billion dollars.
During that period its cotton crop
has sold for at least 90 billion dol
lars less than a fair price would
have brought.
The South has given of its very
heart's bood for the enrichment OF
others. the manufacturers and the
wearers Of cotton goods throughout
the world. It has impoverished it
self for their benefit. It has kept
its small cotton growers in power
ty and in illiteracy. 1t has forced
them to live in huts unfit for human
llabitation. It has permitted them
to be enslaved. physically. financial
~ and mentally, by selling their
cotton at an average of less than
one-half Of the price at which it
should have been commanded dur
ing the last fifty years.
The Southern cotton growers are
now in position to say that they
Wilt not continue in slavery mere
Ely to enrich others who are abun-
dainty able to pay living price for
what they produce. If the 20 bill
l;on dollars which the South should
have received in addition to what
it has. had from the cotton crops
of the last fifty years had been paid
into this section there would have
been throughout the South a de-
gree Of prosperity commensurate
with it's marvellous advantages.
! Everywhere would be seen comfort
able homes for the cotton grower
Everywhere there M-culd be better
schools and better church build
ings and broader development OF
whites and blacks alike. Women
and children would have been kept
out of the cotton fields and the
wealth os this section TODAY would