Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-19
BOIL WEEv|L FIGHT
LEFTT0GROWERS
Cotton Mill Owners Refuse to
Supply Funds for New
War on Pest.
BIZ J. C. ROYLE.
eose,.l pispa,ch TO The star.


NEW YORK, February 1s.--Cotton
goods manufacturers Of New England
have had the situation which involves
the production OF raw cotton viSor-
ously outlined to them within the last
few days by prominent growers Of the
south. They have been asked point
edIy what they proposed to do about
the scarcity OF raw cotton which the
growers insist faces the textile world.
In many cases the answer has been
equally pointed that they intended to
do little or nothing.
Growers in the southeast assert
first time since the civil war there 10
going to be no carry-over at the end
OF the 1928 crop year, July 81. They
say the boil weevil. negro migration
and other unfavorable circumstances
nave put an end to large cotton plan
tations in that section. They say cot
ton in the southeast now is being
raised by the small farmer on HRS
own land. by his own labor and
through intensive cultivation Of small
acreage.
Boil Weevil Fight Vital.
The growers Of Texas. which had
q big crop last year. agree with this
stand so far as the old cotton dis
tricts are concerned. They declare
that the average production per acre
point out that when lands are farmed
by tenants, in many cases, the latter
work until the cotton has a start on
the weeds and then sit on the porch
and wait until it is time to pick.
Both sections agree that the pro-
duction OF cotton by tenant farmers
on small tracts or by owners on
small tracts does not lend itself to
active opposition to the boil weevil.
They point out that If one or two
cultivators in a section make no ef-
fort to combat the pest the efforts
OF others are to some extent mini
nnized. The spraying 70 busting 70 cot
ton plants by aeroplane, they say.
lends itself only to large soiidified
tracts and that to attempt IL on
small and scattered farms is useless.
New Capital Needed.
The remedy, the growers say. lies
IN two courses Of action. One 10 In
the amalgamation and resettlement
the breaking and cultivation of lands
never before cultivated to cotton.
Either choice. it is estimated, will
require the influx of new capital. The
raising Of this capital self-interest,
IN the form OF provision for future
supplies Of reasonably priced cotton,
The answer in many cases has not
been encouraging. W. F Gracelon sec
rotary OF the Arkwright Club Of Bos-
ton, an organization Of textile men in
New England especially organized to
deal with problems arising in the trade,
said today:
''Of course, few mills do have an
Inter est in cotton fields and have had
FOR a number Of years with Indifferent
results. ! see no tendency toward ex-
n re In .loyo fofi Tn
the past year this organization has had
many requests for assistance for cotton
growers. and has conducted a campaign
for large subscriptions to fight the boil
to acquire plantations directly, and do
not anticipate any movement Of the
sort unless conditions change ma
terially.
Competition Biggest Problem.
Already ten Boston mills are en-.
Gagged in the industry in the south and
the problem Of meeting southern mill
have to contend with
The New England mills have
enough problems on their hands
without gambling on cotton produc-
fighting the boil weevil." said 4. II.
GaTside Of the Merchants National
Bank OF Boston. The question of a
supply Of raw cotton is simply one
OF price. Inere mas never been 9
time when sufficient cotton could not
have been bought at a. price since
the civil war, and under existing cir.
curnstances expect substantial in
crease in acreage and other efforts
to increase the crop the coming
season.
Exports Hold Up Well.
Exports are about equal to those
of last year, but consumption will
run about 100000 bales a month
short I look, therefore. for a carry
over Of 100000 bales. This, OF
course. Is tentative and subject to
change.
IT see nothing unsound in the Sit
uation financially. A shortage OF
cotton would not seem to impair the
security back of New England mill
paper in the hands of banks, since 1t
would increase the value. presum-
ahlY of the goods which form part