The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-05-22
THE SMALL BALE.


THE STATESMAN relative to the sub
stitution of the small bale of cotton to
the large one, is question in which
every cotton farmer should feel inter
ested. The economic principle in
volved is the first point of considera-
ton and the determination of this
should effect its final settlement.
That there should be opposition on
the part of gin owners is not sur
prise, and yet there are those even
among this interested class who are
possessed of intelligence enough not
to interpose an objection should an
enlightened sentiment demand the
change. 1t is needless to say that
the position assumed by these men
is only reasonable, but, after all,
this is question that most
vitality affects the farmers, and to
them should be accorded the right of
its settlement. The point as to the
cost of making the change to the
needed mechanical appliances is only
secondary, if greater advantages are
to be derived, Herein lies the true
merit of the proposition.
1t must be admitted as a general
principle, and one of special consid-
Grafton in this discussion, that what
ever tends to increase the cost of
marketing commercial product tends
and does add to the cost of its produc-
ton. 1t is fallacious TO suppose, as
some evidently do, that the interest
of the producer of given article Of
commercial exchange ceases with the
possession of the producer. His in
terest continues beyond this parting
with it as owner, and this interest is
net merely quasi, but is actual till it
reaches the consumer in fact
and then and not till
then is he able to regale
himself in the comforting assurance
that his interest as the producer
ceases to be affected. Upon this
broad and general principle of what
might be termed community interest
is our social structure founded. An
tagonism here is always injurious, if
not fatal. Now, as between the
necessary handling, storage, etc., Of
the large bale of 500 pounds weight
and the small bale of 125 pounds be-
fore reaching their final destination
where both are to be opened there can
be no difference of opinion as to the
economic advantage favoring the
small bale. The cost of covering and
pressing would be lessened.
1t is often necessary in discussion
like this to 60 into the details of the
points involved in order to secure a
more general understanding of the
real merits of the subject, but your
correspondent has little inclination and
less time to do so even were he as
sured that he would be accorded
the required space. There is, how
ever, one point that due respect for
interests of Others demands should
be again alluded to before closing this
article. If the adoption of the small
bale as more economical substitute
for the large one involved simply the
disposition of one years crop and not
perhaps that of all subsequent crops,
then the vital issues involved would
lose their vitality and the question
would be not living one, as it is and
must continue to be, until it shall be
clothed in the fullness of truth and
mark another step in the progress OF
intelligence, bat would, perforce of
the same great truth, die as it would
justly deserve.
AS to the congresses, they are but
the ma tural growth of the large bale
and but one of the unnecessary taxes
imposed on the cotton grower.
DAN M. McRAE.
THE CENSUS.
A few words with regard to the
numbering of the people next month
will not be out of place here, as the
statistics to be collected will be of i'm
portance to the farmer. It's intended
to get more agricultural information
in this than in any previous census,
and it can only be secured by the CO.
operation of agriculturists. The
farmer will be required to state his
acres and how they were utilized last
year. He should therefore be pre-
pared to tell the enumerator how many
acres he had in each crop, how many
bales of cotton, bushels of corn, oats or
other grain he raised, what it cost TO
raise them, and what price they were
sold. He will also have to state the
number of his stock and their value.
This should and will be an easy mat
ter to every man who carries on his
farm in business like manner. The
information wanted once in ten years
is exactly what every farmer should
be able to furnish on five minutes
notice at the end of every year, and
If he cannot . he is not farming