Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-26
SANDY. Dusty and Mixed Cottons.

SanOys Dusty anu ml4oN OosSOAS'
The following article which we find in
the New Orleans Price Current, contains
suggestions so timely that we produce 1t
entire. That paper remarks: s-.
We have already had occasion TO cali the
attention of our planting friends TO the sub
ject of sandy and dusty cottoDs, and also TO
negligence in packing more than one grade
of cotton in the same bale.
These cases have now become so frequent
and grievous, that we may be pardoDed for
again bringing the subject before them.
According to the trade regulations in every
cotton market in the world, mixed cottons
are declared understandable, and constant
reclamations come from Europe for damage
in value on such cottons.
Whenever more than one grade of cotton
exists in the same bale, and it is discovered
before the cotton is shipped, as is very
likely to be the case, each bale being strict
" examined in the press, the factors can
not obtain a price above the value of the
lowest quality found in the bale, and fire.
quently not even that, as the whole cotton
trade do not wish to have anything to do
with mixed cottons, they being subject to
such disagreeable and unsatisfactory re-
suits. Should sale be effected the planter
is the loser, as the lowest grade found in
the bale establishes the value. These cot
tons have generally TO be sold to pickers,
who break up the bales and sell them with
cotton samp Pies.
As regards dusty and sandy cottons, their
great abundance this season has attracted
particular attention, and called forth from
the cotton trade in Europe, as well as in
America, the strongest denunciations, so
much so, that now nearly all foreign and
domestic orders state explicitly ono dusty
or sandy cottons," thus leaving these grades
solely at the mercy of outside buyers and
pickers, regular buyers until for a few days
past, refusing them In toto as unmerchan5-
able. They are consequently disposed of
at very heavy decline in price, compared
with equal qualities, free from dust-caus-
ing great loss to the planter. From the ex-
perience of the last two years, we lean to
the opinion that for the future there will
be absolutely no sale for such cottons, IN
less at a great sacrifice. The following
shows the results of % bales carefully
cleaned by proper machinery in one of our
city pickeries:
Five bales of cotton weighing 2,305 Tbs,
when cleaned of dust and sand, weighed
1870 Tbs, losing $40 fbs, or 115 TBS per pale
or % per cent.
Four bales very sandy lost 40 per cent.
-Four bales cotton on yard pickings, full Of
dirt, lost 20 per cent. Six bales dusty (not
saudyl lost 10 per cent. Four bales dusty
lost 20 per cent.
These facts demonstrated cotton buyers
what losses manufacturers may expect if
they purchase dusty or sandy cottons, and
explain fully why European buyers shun
such, as they have to pay freight and duty
upon the dirt contained in a cotton bale. |
The prevalence of sandy cotton this year,
reviVes the recollection of an amusing |
story circulated some years since, of a Man. |
chester spinner, who, for years, had thrown |
the dirt contained in American cotton upon |
a particular spot, until quite mound was |
raised. On one Fourth of July he planted |
on this tumulus of extinct bales the |
American flag, and had band of music to |
play Hail Columbia, as he expressed it, on |
i'American Soil"
The facts we have given may seem calcu-
lated to have an undue bearing influence |
on the cotton described, but their publica-
ton is necessary to protect factors from IN
lust misapprehensions of its market value
by planters and country merchants.
In connection with the above, we give
the following from the Memphis appeal:
1t will be well for the country dealers to
notice what we have reported above as to
dusty cottons. They must not expect that
such cottops will stand in the msIket the |
squal of other cotton of the same grade |
hat is free from dust. Dust weighs heavy |
and will not make yarn while it will throw
difficulties into the way of yarn making. |
A pound of cotton with dust in it, though |
he dust be not included ia the weight, is
not equal to pound of cotton. without the
lust. The dust alone is therefore, when
mingled with bale of cotton, not only |
worth nothing, but is worth less than
nothing.
In pricing bale of dusty cotton the es-
,imated weight of the dust must be taken
rom what the price would be if the cotton
was pure, then the injury done to the cot
,on by the presence OF the dust among it
must be allowed for and deducted-zwhat
remains is the value of the cotton as it
stands. By this process We have dusty
cotton now selling in market at 10c a
pound. Is is well the planter should clear
y understand this and save disappoint-
ment. The cotton factor has not only to
contend with dusty cottons, but, We most
-hroughly regret to say, with dishonesty
packed cottons. Cotton that is packed with
i high grade all outside the bale, and an in
ferior one within, or that has broken Wag-
On tires, bricks and other weighty but val
leless articles within, is put up fraudulent
y, aud the law brands the perpetralor of
such deed with a name the very meanest
,hudders 10 transmit TO his child.
iS horad on5 coar0ho1 diliuauflU /
10 it is discovered that rascality has been
It work, and some of those who know that
hey are among the guilty may sleep at
light if they can, after we have inform
ID them that they may be the persons who
nay be selected to answer at the bar of
ustice, and to receive the punishment they
merit, as an example to deter other rogues
rom following their criminal conduct.