The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-08-07
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From the South Carolina Agricuit,uist.
TEE PROPER PREPARATION OF COTTON AND
FLOUR FOB MARKET

aho preparing any crop which Is pfouuced,
is essential to ensure the proper profits to
the planter. He may have fine lands, pro-
pitious seasons and all tho incidents to sue
cessful production but, if the most careful
attention is not bestowed upon the gather
ing of his staples, lie is no better off in the
end than he who tills poor lands, and care.
fully husbands and protects its products
From the moment crop is matured it do.
mands, therefore, strict attention, and no la
Dor is better paid than its preservation and
protection from depreciation. If all the
cotton which is produced was saved, and
properly brought to market, it would swell
the production to degree unthought of by
those who 10 not look strictly into details.
If this VIII. not regarded by the larger
producers of cotton as essential, is fact,
how much is lost to the planters by the
careless and bungling manner in which the
staple crops are prepared for market? We
do not hazard a great deal in saying, that
from this alone the planters suffer more
than from even short pieces, and all other
depressing causes combined. Nor do we
assert anything but truth when we say, that
these losses to tho planters of South Caro-
lima would pay their taxes more than four
times over.
The careful picking and ginning OF cot
ton is most essential. Nothing pays better
than attention to these two operations. a
good cotton gin should be secured, and nj
tention paid to the manner in which the
ginning is performed. The condition of the
cotton should be perfect. IF it has been
properly summed before put in bulk, and Sc
curely housed against the effects of damp,
it will be in such order that the lint will 10
thrown from the brush-whce! in feathery,
fleecy state. If the gin is in proper condi-
ton, the staple will not knap, nor will the
fibre be cut by the saws. Kuapped cottons,
and that which is cut by the saws, always
sell for less than even dirty cottons, which
arc well ginncd, from the fact, that the
manufacturers have the proper machines for
cleaning it Of tho dirt and leaf left in it !;
but when the fibre is once DESTROYED, its
value is in like manner impaired. This cx-
emption from injury can only be properly
secured ky having both the cotton and gin
in perfect order. An oversecr should not
; only lie capable judge of these things, but
he should be ahle TO remedy any defects
which may occur in tho working of the
machinery of the motive power which drives
the gin, as We'll as in the gin ITSELF Tie
Georgia and Alabama cottons are preferred
i'll our shipping markets, not on account Of
the superiority of their staple, but merely
because they arc we'll ginned. In packing
cotton, six ropes should be used to eac!a
bale; for if one should break, there ae al
ways a sufficient number left 10 secure the
bale from bursting. The rope, too, is sci.
dom m expense to the planter, as it usual
| " brings as much as it costs, and hence lie
can afford to apply it without stint. Ii six
ropes are used, the sowing of the bales on
the side with twine can be dispensed with
for with close packing the bagging will
meet, and even If it does not there can be
no wastage at the sides. From the mode
in which cottons are packed in the screw
boxes in layers, tho wastage only occurs in
top, bottom and ends. Tho lrcads of
the bales should be securely and properly
sewed UP with twiae in the best manner.
After the bale is turned ont, avoid the CON-
mon custom of exposing it to the weather.
If it is worth gathering, picking and pack
ing for market, it certainly is worth pro.
tecting from the weather. If these partic.
ulars are strictly attended to, tile cotton
crop would bring the producer from one to
two cents per pound more than it does when
prepared in careless and Indifferent man.
ner.
Flour, though not so Important is never
theless worthy Of the same care and attcn.
ton. The barrels should have ten hoops,
and in all other particulars conform to the
act Of inspection how in force in this State.
Flour for expectation should never be sent
TO market in sacks. The reasons for this
are SO obvious, that they do, not require
mention. No fancy brands. srash as snper-
fine and extra-6ne, should be iRdnlged iu by
the miller, but be should simply place on
the barrels the name of his mill, with
private brand such, q, a, B, or G.. to desig-
nate its PARTICULAR 6alisy, 10 enable him to
invoice it TO his factor. cd ID ssto be- recosni.