Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-11-29
FARMER ANDPLANTER
COTTON IN THE SOUTH.
President Peters of the Texas Cot
ton Growers Association Pre-
sents "a Few Thoughts.

made so by their own choice.
We have the greatest agricultural
product on earth, a necessity ih~ev-
cry corner in the world; can be stored
and kept without deterioration Tor
years and yet we allow II TO control
us.
The history of cotton dates back
for thousands of years. The Hindoos
used it 500 years before Christ. 1t was
introduced into China by the Tartars
when they conquered that country.
Palestine and Egypt produced 1t when
the Romans acquired that country,
showing that ithad been in Use from
time immemorial. At the present
time the United States produce about
10 per cent of the worlds consunp-
ton, the south being especially adapt
ed to its production.
The value of cotton when spun in
coarse fabric is double, and the finer
the weave the greater the value of the
fabric.
The seed are one of the principal
sources of income now to the pro-
Queer. The value of q ton of cott' n
seed at present is about $24. The
mills are entitled to some, and 81
per ton would pay any well man
aged mill a fine profit for crushing. 1t
would pay the producers best to feed
the seed if they can not get the value
from the buyers. Hon. Edward At
kinson, of Boston, said IF Vermont
could get the value of the cotton seed
alone it would pay them to raise it,"
This present crop of cotton is ne
linowledged by all authorities to be
very short; in fact, the present con
dition is the lowest average condi-
ton, with one exception, in twenty
years. Then why do the prices stay
so low-about two cents lower than
this time last year? One of the prin-
cipal reasons is the spectators in
New York and New Orleans have sold
the crop many times over, and on ac-
count of being able to deliver any
old thing that is wrapped in baggine
and ties on their contracts they are
able to keep the prices down, hoping
in the meantime the producer, be
coming tired, will turn lose his hold
ing to supply their immediate wants
Mr.. Neills false estimate on crops
has cost the farmers of the south not
less than $100,O00,000, but, fortunate
ly, all have lost confidence in hin
now.
AS remedy, | would suggest thai
the government pass laws compelling
operators on exchange to deliver OF
all contracts for agricultural products
the grades sold and not allow the sub
stitution of any lower or inferior
grandes. Then spot cotton will not b'
selling in Texas at New York quota
tons and two cents per pound more
than chalk mark cotton.
The United States should license al
ginners, and in their application TO
license they should make a statemen
of size of boiler, engine, how man.
and what size gin stands they have
what kind of presses, round o
square; whether they gin for the pub
lie or only for themselves.
The permit to do business shoul'
be small, say 81 per year, but the.
should be compelled to make report
every week on blanks furnished them
the amount of cotton ginned and com
pare with last season, and other in
quiries demanded by the government
with heavy penalty attached TO
noncompliance with the law. A sum
mary of these reports should be pub
lished Immediately, so that all ca
know what amount of cotton
ginned, and by January the depart
ment would be able to say how muc
the cotton crop would be and not b
compelled to wait eight month
longer to be attacked by all kinds o
guessers and spectators.
Farmers in the south should de
mand that their representatives i
congress work for the enactment O
these laws. 1t would do away wit
Neil and all other wild and wool
guessers, and the mill owners and or
orators could buy their supply, know
ing what the crop would be.
God has been merciful to the cotto
farmer this year-kinder and NOR
merciful to them than they are t
themselves. He has sent the MeXica
boil weevil and the drought in Texal
and excessive rains east of the Mi!
sissirpi river. That is all that ha
saved us from another calamity c
four-ccnt cotton.
The way to raise cotton successful
ly is TO, first, make the farm self-su
tanning; raise plenty of food proc
ucts, not only for yourself, but fo
your stock. Keep plenty Of hog
Now that we have market all tn
year round for hogs, we should suppl
it. There is no place in the Unite
States that can raise hogs chcape
that Texas, with good feed and pa
ture all the year round. So plant a
falfa and corn. Make improved catt
and hogs your staple money crop ft
che year, and with the immense pacl
cry buildings nearly established, yo
will find ready market at profitab
prices for your stock, and your Ian
will double in value in ten years.
Second. DO not raise any more co
ton than you can gather yoursel
then you will be able to hold and pl
it or the market when the price
satisfactory.
Educate yourself by attending II
meeting of the Farmers congress
College station, now on a permanel
basis and held every year. Have sci
to you the bulletins issued from Il
national and state departments
agriculture. They are free, only sci
your address on postal, with reque
to send bulletins. Send your sens