Semi=weekly graphic., 1898-07-02
AN ADDRESS
To the Farmers and Gtnners Of
 Arkansas.

lNE hLuFf, AfK.i June q, lSSo. To the Farmers and Ginners of
 Pine Bluff Territory:
 Owing 5o many reclamntions and claims for damage made against American cotton, extensive expert ments have been made in various Southern states during the past season having in view the adoption of a uniform gin box and mode of packing cotton The Idea has been to get an ideal, uniform bale which would save money. to the farmer and be an advantage all round. Ex- periments in the Galveston terri tory resulted h saving from 70 to 90 cents per o4.e u ,.elRht alone; this was done by using a gin 24x54 inches in size; ties weighing 45 lbs to the bundle of 30, and bagging weighing 2 1.4 lbs to the yard and well sewed at the ends.
 This matter has now been taken up by the transportation companies, insurance men, ginner's associa- tions, cotton buyers, congresses and cotton exchanges in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas, and they are sending out circulars urging the farmers and ginners of those states to bale their cotton as above described. They urge that had this been done during the past season the South would have saved $5, 300, 000.00 of which $500, GOO would have come to Arkansas. From the unanimity of the movement to adopt the 24x54 inch gin box we are satisfied the farmers and ginners of Arkansas will be at a decided disadvantage if they do not adopt the same. Ship owners say the ribs of their vessels are 30 inches apart and the 24x54 bale when compressed will fit closely between the ribs, the cotton will be more dense, therefore, they can carry such cotton at much cheaper rate. Insurance men say that the 24x54 inch bale will have such density when compressed and shape which will fit so closely In the ships that danger from fire will be much less, therefore they can lower insurance rates consider ably. Cotton buyers say that a 24x54 in. bale will suffer no damage from wagon wheels, will be well covered by the baggin and will come into market in such improved condition tbat they can pay lnore for it, getting as they will lower insurance and freights and having less claims against it. Compress men say that they can press the 24x54 inch bale to a density of B to 40 lbs per cubic foot, covering the bale better and lowering both freight and insurance.
 All these things will put money in the ia rmer's pocket.
 In consideration of these facts, we, the undersigned planters, gin ners, cotton buyers, factors and merchants of Pine Bluff, urge the ginners of our territory to make their gin boxes 24x54 inches this change where necessary can be very easily made, and at an average cost not exceeding $8; We also ad- wise farmers 10 patroniza ginners who use 24x54 inch box.
 We also approve and endorse the action taken upon this subject by the state convention of planters. ginners, cotton buyers and compress men held at Little Rock on May 3. We would earnestly request every ginner receiving a copy of this cir cuIar to notify s. Geisreiter, of Pine Bluff, of his intention to make his gin box 24x54 inches.
 !, Leo Andrews, E. T. Wilkins,
 Louis Altheimer, s. Bluuhenthal
 L. Roth, & Go.