The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-05-15

Edgar of Duval, to whom all communica-
lions should be addressed.l
HE WANTS THE SMALL BALE.
70 the Editor of the Statesman:
SRA few days ago 1 read "Gin-
ner's" article in your paper and your
remarks on it. Now, as this is the
first ever read or heard about chang
ing the size of bale of cotton, l may
not be fit to umpire the fight, but will
say that it seems to be clearer than
mud that the small bale would be
better for the farmer, whatever its
effect might be on the gin mai.
Every farmer ought to know that
whatever damage befalls the bale be-
tween the time it leaves the press
until it goes into the hands of the
mill man comes out of the producers
pocket. To pack cotton in small bales
that any lad could handle, and which
could be stored away under cover and
protected with cotton sack or wrap
per, would prevent the great loss we
now have to bear. 1t doesn't need a
ghost to prove this. Anybody with
horse-sense can see that, and wonder
that some "crank" didn't think of it
years ago. 1t is easy to see why the
gin man objects. / would put him to
some expense to get a new press; but
if that is the only objection to the
small bale, and 1 can't think of any
other, then let us have the small bale.
Yours, &C.,
BALE TO THE ACRE.
Fredricksburgh.
BAGGING AND TIES.
Many cotton farmers are under the
delusion that they are paid for bag
ging and ties when they sell their cot
ton, and buyers will sometimes so far
presume on the ignorance of the
farmer as to argue that he (the farmer)
makes handsome profit on the jute
and iron covering. The cotton raiser
has to pay the gin man, not only toll
for ginning, but from 81 to $1.25 for
materials with which tv ship his pro-
duct to it's final market. For this he
never gets any return beyond the con-
venience in handling his cotton till
he sells it. 1t is true that nominally
he is paid for the gross weight of his
bale, but in reality he only gets the
net value of the cotton. The cotton
factor, knowing that the spinner will
deduct the weight of bagging and ties
from gross of bale, pays the producer
a reduced price per pound to cover the
difference, and he also protects him
self in the same way against shrink
age and damage from dirt and other
causes. And so it comes to pass that
the cotton raiser loses the price Of
bagging and ties and has to pay for
all damage to his cotton till it reaches
the mill, and even then has to pay a
tariff tax over and above value of cot
ton and fair profit on manufacturing
before he can again handle any of it.
Verify is the fleece taken completely
from the lamb. If a merchant buys a
bill of goods from a manufacturer he
is charged with boxes or wrappers in
which these goods are transported
to the purchase, and this is recog-
nized as just and proper charge, but
with the farne the operation is just
reversed, and he has to pay for the
covering and protection and insure
against all losses of his cotton during
all its journeyings from the gin to the
mill. The custom has been too long
established to be changed in a day,
but if farmers organizations will take
the matter in hand the reform of this
abuse, though long delayed, will sure
ly come.
THE DAM.
1t may almost be said that the cleo
ton was carried nemine dissentiente.
The immortal half hundred who re-
corded their votes against the scheme
will now, it is to be hoped, recognize
the force of the old Roman adage-
"Vox Populi, Vox Dei"-and swing
into line.
Austin has redeemed her character
and can no longer be called the
Metropolis of Texas. She has demon
strated that she is live city, inhab-
tied by live men, and that the tabled
mossbacks have either left her borders
or become so mummifed as to count
for nothing in her public affairs.
1t is now level betting that Austin
will be the first city in Texas to have
100000 population. Anybody want to
bet?
CORN CULTIVATION.
The recent long spell of rain has
put all crops badly in the grass, and
young cotton in such a precarious
condition that farmers are liable to
neglect their corn in order to save the
youthful "king." 1t is much easier to
give farmer advice under these con-
ditions than for him to followit. Every
crop needs attention at the same time
and unless labor can be controlled,
something will have to be partially
neglected for time. This is the time
when the good judgment, industry and
expediency of a farmer shows up, and
by putting in his labor where it is
most needed he will pull through
when neighbor less gifted will stick
in the mud.
When corn has not had its full cul-
tivation il ought now to get it, as 1T
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