COTTON HISTORY 385 



357. Competition in cotton culture. — It is often said 

 that the United States has a practical monopoly of cotton 

 culture. This is largely true, but changing conditions in 

 all parts of the world make it possible for the foreign 

 grower of cotton to become a more formidable competitor 

 of the American cotton producer than has been the case 

 in the past. 



The following facts suggest the possibility of constantly 

 increasing competition from abroad : — 



(1) Great efforts have been made during the past few 

 years, especially by the British and German governments 

 in their African possessions, to build up centers of cotton 

 production. These attempts, unhke those made during the 

 Civil War, were made in countries believed to have climatic 

 conditions well suited to the growth of the cotton plant. 

 In some of these countries, notably in German East Africa, 

 British East Africa, and Uganda, these efforts are resulting 

 in a rapid increase each year in the number of bales pro- 

 duced, which suggests that the climatic and other con- 

 ditions are favorable. 



(2) A high price for American cotton always stimulates 

 foreign cotton production. The American farmer expects 

 high prices for cotton in the future, partly because of the 

 injury inflicted on the American crop each year by the 

 boll-weevil in its eastward march. The probable high 

 prices would have the effect of increasing cotton produc- 

 tion in Africa and Asia. 



(3) Improvement in the methods of cultivation in India 

 can greatly increase the cotton production of that coun- 

 try. Extension of the government's irrigation system 

 will have the same effect. Improvement in the quality 



2c 



