The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1925-02-17
COTTON OUTLOOK THIS
YEAR DEEMED GOOD
DEPARTMENT OF RICU L
TIRE GIVES VIEWS ON
LIKELY PRODUCTION.

.bgn in 1924 from the standpoint of
,roduction costs, is encouraging 9TH
a-oise say economists of the fed
era1 Department of Agriculture, who
have been weighing experiences OF
the past year with prospects for the
coming season.
From present indications they con-
clude that stocks at the end of the
current season will not be large, for
e;pn demand should be maintained, in
drstry has been using up its accumu-
lated stocks and cotton growers in
general are in an improved financial
condition. 1t appears that the world
could absorb at sustained prices a
CROP OF 100000 to 100000 bales
In view of these facts the government
department feels that producers in
those sections where conditions are
favorable for cotton production at
present prices would be justified in
planting not to exceed their 1924
acreage.
Greater Consumption Predicted.
1T now appears probable that the
consumption of American cotton dur
inc the season of 1924-25 will be con-
siderably greater than that of last
season." say agricultural economists,
"and that although the carryover at
the end of the season will be some
what in excess OF that from the last
crop it will not be burdensome
From the movement OF the 1924
crop it may be inferred that the pres
ent seasons supply of American cot
ton will be we'll enough digested to
permit easy distribution of the 1925
crop. Exports to date have been much
heavier than last year. European pur
chasers have been buying freely and
there is greater activity in the cotton
mills in England and Germany than
at this time last year. The stabiliza
ton of exchange has made 1t possible
Tor European merchants to participate
to a larger extent in the handling OF
the crop, and stocks in European ports
which for the past three years have
been abnormally low are now increas-
ing
"On the other hand, though mills
in Great Britain have slightly increas-
ed the number of working hours per
week over last year, they are still on
short-time schedule with but little
il any increase in exports OF Cotton
goods. United States exports OF raw
cotton to France, Italy and Japan are
Substantially greater than last year.
Export Movement Considered.
officials of the Agricultural Depart
IL, +I,a IN
the export movement was offset by
the low consumption OF American
mills in the early fall, compared with
the fal1 of 1923. But, on the other
hand. the American industry appears
to be liquidated fully and stocks OF
manufactured goods are much less
throughout the industry, so far as as
certainable at this time. Mill stocks OF
raw cotton also are less than last year.
Consequently any increases in consum-
er demand would be likely to be telt
promptly in the movement OF raw
cotton.
Looking at the conditions under
which the 1925 crop will be produced
the Agricultural Department con-
cludes that although the present crop
was OF about the same value as that
OF the year before, it was produced
more uniformly throughout the cotton
belt than in the two preceding sea-
sons. AS a result financial conditions
have been materially improved par
ticularly in regions that have escaped
the boil weevil Banking conditions
are generally good and interest rates
are lower.
Higher Cost Predicted.
Present indications, the government
feels. are that the 1925 cotton crop
will be produced at a slightly higher
cost per acre than the two preceding
crops. The trend of wages paid to
farm labor is slightly upward, espe-
cialy in Texas, Oklahoma, North
Carolina and Alabama, where compe-
tition with industries is most notice
able. The cost of keeping mules Will
be appreciably higher owing to higher
feed prices. Wholesale prices OF ma
terials used in the manufacture OF Ter
tilizers indicate that this cost will be
somewhat higher. These three items
OF cost approximate two-thlrds OF the
total cost OF production, taking the
cotton belt as whole.
w nile many OF the llIdJOl NOo''
a tendency upward there are few
costs that in many regions have a
tendency toward lower levels, lnvesti-
cations of the Department OF Agrlcul-
ture show. Among these are farm
machinery, seed and calcium arsenate'
From present indications calcium ar
senate will be available at the lowest
price prevailing since it was recon-
mended for Weevil control.
Situation Summed Up.
In summing up the cotton situation
Tor the present year officials OF the
Agricultural Department declare that
assuming a continuance OF business
prosperity and barring unusual deVei-
opments, the world could absorb at
sustained prices a crop OF American
cotton in l925-26 Of 100000 to -
UOO000 bales However, III the event
that the producers of cotton respond
to prices OF the pre-planting season III
the same manner that they have Tor
the last 10 years there will be de-
crease in acreage, although the bet
ter financial conditions in the cotton
belt with producers in a position to