The Bossier banner., 1892-03-17
FARMER AND PLANTER.
TO COTTON GROWERS.

Address Issued by the Committee OF the
Cotton-Growers' Congress Held in At
lanta, Ga.
With bankruptcy staring the cotton
producer in the face, brought about by
either over-production or contraction,
caused by adopting the gold standard
of values, it becomes the duty of every
cotton-grower to consider the remedy.
Your committee, appointed to address
you upon this subject at the recent Cot
ton-Growers' congress held in Atlanta,
makes the following suggestions for
your earnest consideration:
There should be organized in each cotton
growing state an association of the cotton
producers and in each county sub association
to act with the Cotton Growers congress- re-
Gently organized in Atlanta, according to the
following resolutions:
Resolred, That the president of this conven-
tion be authorized to call this or a similar con-
vention at such time and place as IN MS ludg-
ment may be best to the interest OF the cotton
growers of the south.
Resolred, That the representa- ton in this con.
vention shall be double the representation that
each state has in the lower house of congress-
the delegates to be appointed by the presidents
of the various state agricultural societies and
alliances. That when delegates can not attend
they shall be allowed to appoint their own alter
mates.
We should urge upon the various cotton ex-
changes in the cotton states to act with the cot
ton growers to formulate rules to govern the
cotton trade in all its branches.
We should urge upon the legislatures OF the
southern states to enact law requiring all
transportation companies not to receive any
bale of cotton that is not well packed and fully
covered
The planters should require the factors to
take better care of the cotton consigned to
them
In reducing the acreage we should consider
the requirement of the world for American cot
ton, and conform production to the wants
of the consumer. 1t is mistaken idea that by
reducing the crop below the consumption of the
world that we can increase the price, when
such course would check consumption and
stimulate the culture of cotton in other coun-
tries, and bring about an equilibrium of
prices Therefore, we should endeavor
to regulate by the reduction in acreage
the production of cotton to the actual consump-
ton of the world, or in other words, we would
get as much per pound for 10000 bale crop
as with 100000 bale crop; and when we con-
slider the average yield of cotton per acre is l79
pounds, we can in some measure regulate the
production; but at all times we must consider
the effects of the season upon the yield of crops
| which is beyond our control. AS a general
| thing, large crops follow small ones, and vice
| versa. In the intensive system we should regu-
late the production in the same ratio as the non
| intensive system, always keeping before us the
| actual consumption of the world; that Is, to
| regulate our production to meet that consump-
| ton without creating surplus. If we can do
| this we will receive remunerative prices for our
cotton.
Wherever practicable the cotton raiser should
| sell direct to the southern mills, as the grower
would save commission, freigh t, drayage, insur-
ance, loss in weight, and last, but not least, ex
travagant sampling. The southern mills would
| save freight and excessive sampling.
| We should endeavor to have the cotton sold
| in bulk, as it can be done cheaper than being
| sold in detail. There are too many middle men.
There should be adopted uniform size and
weight in packing cotton; uniform size would
be beneficial for foreign shipment. We should
adopt standard size of bale, and require the
| press builders to conform to the standard. We
| should discard gins that knap or cut the staple.
| In ginning cotton samples should be considered
| before cleaning the seed.
| Classification should be regulated at the south
| and uniform, which can be done by the united
| action of the cotton growers and the cotton ex-
| changes of the southern states
Good cotton is made or injured by the cotton
| pickers, and we should regulate the prices of
picking by the cleanliness with which it is picked
| The uniform price by paying for cotton alone
| by the hundred should be abandoned, or in other
| words clean picker should be paid more than
tenn we will have clean cotton, and save the
| money we now pay for trash and dirt. We must
pick cotton free from all foreign substances.
1t is almost impossible to prevent what is
called mixed packed bales, for often we plant
two grades of land which produce two kinds OF
| cotton, and we often mix cotton that has never
| been rained on with that that has stood in the
| field and has been rained upon; these causes
| with others, make mixed packed bales, and the
| producer is blamed and taken advantage on &C.
count of cause which he could prevent.
| By thorough organization of the cotton
| growers in the cotton states, we can regulate
| cotton production and protect ourselves from
| all unjust exactions, demands and advantages
| which are now. taken of us because of our dis
| organized condition In union and combination
we must look for protection and redemption.
| We must form no entangling alliances, but
| preserve our individuality with the great object
in view, to increase the price of cotton, to reg
| ulate production to the wants of consumption
| to advance the personal, moral educational and
| financial welfare of the cotton growers and to
relieve them of the bondage of debt and power
| ty they are now slaves to. By organization and
union, with harmony in our council, we can con-
troll our affairs, advance our interest, and pro-
tect ourselves. Let organization be the watch.
word OF the cotton grower, and in union there
is strength and protection.
JAMES BARRETT, Georgia
| D. L. Brown. Alabama
| j. A. SLIGH, South Carolina
| .. Committee.
D. p. DUNCAN, JAMES BARRETT