The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-26
MEETING WELL ATTENDED
Increase Will Yield Two Million Dol
lars to Farmers
pa. R. n. sPEiGAT ELECTED PR[S DENT.
Farmers Urged to Establish Cooperative Mill.
For Manufacture Of Meal. Commit
tee Appointed to Issue an
Audrt IS. Meet Today


The meeting of cotton farmers and
ginners here yesterday, which was called
for the purpose of taking action with
reference to the price of cotton seed,
resulted in the organization of the
North Carolina Farmers State Asso-
ciation."
Twenty one counties were represent
ed and the meeting was largely attend
cd. The farmers who were present rep
resented county organizations and they
decided to meet the cotton seed oil trust
in it's effort to keep down the price of
cotton seed.
The farmers of the State were urged
by resolution unanimously adopted not
to sell their cotton seed for less than
twenty-five cents bushel or exchange
on basis of 1000 pounds of seed for
not less than 1888 1-3 pounds of cotton
seed meal.
The present price of cotton seed is
from eighteen to twenty-one cents and
the advantage that will. accrue to the
farmers of the State if they hold to the
price agreed upon last night is estimat-
ed at two million dollars.
Two meetings were held yesterday
afternoon and night, and the convention
adjourned until this morning at nine
o'clock.
Permanent organization was effected
last night by the election of the follow
ip~ officers
Prcsident-Dr r. H. Speight, of Edge
combe.
Vice President-Hector Mclean, of
Scotland
Secretary and Treasurer-T B. Par
ker, of Hillsboro
The resolWion, fixing the price of cot
ton seed, which the convention unani-
mously adopted is as follows:
Whereas the cotton crop is short and
there is an increased demand fer cotton
seed for feeding fertilizer and other pur-
poses and whereas the present offerings
of prices and terms of exchange for seed
are below the real value of the sood Be
it resolved:
That it is the deliberate judgment of
this convention that seed are now worth
to the farmers at home 25 cents a bushel
CIR should be exchanged on a basis of
1000 pounds of seed for not less than
1,3Co pounds of cotton seed mail to anal
we So per cent ammonia, and we advise
and urge the Gotten farmers of North
than above prices, and we ask the earn
est cooperation of every cotton grower
in North Carolina to this end
Resolved. That we invite the Gotten
growing States to form Cotton Farmers
Associations and assist us in securing and
maintaining these prices for cotton seed.
Mr.. S. l.. Patterson, on behalf of the
committee on Plans presented the fol-
lowing report which was adopted:
The Committee on Plans especially rec
cmmcnd:
ID BY careful analysis and feeding
tests it has been ascertained that cotton
seed are worth fully 25 cents per BUSH
] cl compared with other ammoniates as
a fertilizer, and arc worth 40 cents per
hushel as stock food. compared with the
present values OF corn.
We therefore urge the farmers of North
Carolina not to sell their cotton seed for
less than % cents per bushel. so as to
realize at least the lowest value of this
seed.
~ In order that the highest values
may be obtained in a rational way, more
cattle ought to be raised on the farms
to consume the surplus seed. This poll
cy would not only secure the fullest val
uos of the seed as food stuff, but by de-
credsing the supply OF seed in the mar
kcts would greatly enhance the value CT
the sncd in their relation as fertilizers,
and the oil from the seed for the vari-
Gus uses TO which it is put.
49, We urge farmers wherever possible
to build cooperative mills for grinding
heir own and neighbors' and so cut loose
from and be independent of the mill
combinations against their just rewards.
t4) Rather than sell seed for less than
n &c rnr h,c1H a1 Co.
to whom it may be inconvenient to cx-
Change their seed for meal, to use the
seed direct as fertilizer, either in COM
rest or by direct application, for they
may be fully assured their land will mar
kct the seed and return better values
than purchasers who combine to beat
down the Price.
,5.) Shall the farmer become indepen-
cent OF the cotton seed oil trust? And
Ct the tobacco trust and of the cotton
trust? He can do so only by system
cf diversified farming and stock raising.
and securing to himself the ability to hold
his PRODUCTS until he can force the mar
ktt instead of being it's slave.
The attendance was representative of
the cotton growing counties. Many of
the promipent and successful farmers in
Central and Eastern Carolina were pres
cnt. They manifested a. lively interest
in the question of securing better prices
for their products, and the message
they brought from their counties was
that all classes of farmers are ready to
unite in any concerted action that may
be taken to break the force of the arbi-
trary methods of the cotton seed oil
trust in fixing the price of cotton seed.
There were representatives from TWEEN
ty-one counties and letters We're receiv-
cd from farmers in other counties, who
are unable to be present, but who are
in full sympathy with the fight on the
trust.
The following delegates were present:
REAIJFORT-B w. Thompson, M. j.
Whitley w. d. Grimes.
CHATHAM. w. Atwater, T. G.