The Manchester correspondent of the "Economist" writes September 4:—Particulars have just been received of the American cotton crop for the season which being 14,588,591 bales, against 14,- 167,115 bales in 1912-13, and 16,138,- 426 bales in the previous season. It may be said that the cotton authorities in the United States have decided to alter the season, and henceforward the year from August 1 to July 31, instead of from September 1 to August 31 as hitherto. Increasing attention is now being given to the prospects for the new growth. This week the Department of Agriculture of the United States Government has issued ® condition report giving the ition up to August 25. The average condition on that date was stated to be 78 per cent., as compared with 76.4 per cent. on the corresponding date in July,. and 68.2 per cent. same time 12 months ago. Undoubtedly the plant has made very good progress during the last few weeks, and the offi statement seems to indicate a yield, given favourable conditions henceforward, of nearly 18,500,000 bales. Tu view of the trade disorganization as a result of the European war, it is doubtful whether all this raw material will be required.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.