The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-09-03
WE SHOULD HAVE BITTER PRICES FOE
COTTON SEED.

an address TO the cotton farmers,
ginners, and others interested in
procuring better prices for cotton
seed, this committee met Tuesday
in the city of Raleigh and authorized
the following letter:
HILLsBoRo, N. c., Aug. 81, 1901.
To the Cotton Farmers and GinneTs
of North Carolina,
GENTLEMEN This letter is issued
for the purpose of awakening In
you an interest in and appreciation
of the value of the cotton seed crop
this coming season.
As is well known, the corn crop in
the corn growing States is short in
fact, it is short in most sections of
the United States. We all know
that a short crop means higher
priced corn, which In turn @
higher priced hogs, cattle, etc., and
for their products. As these products
advance in price, substitutes, such
as compound land, oleomargarine,
b~utterine, etc., largely take their
places. These substitutes contain
cotton seed oil, hence the demand
for that will probably be greater
than ever before, consequently
higher prices. The cattle feeders
Of the West will have to substitute
some other feed for corn, and as cot
ton seed meal has proven TO be better
than corn for this purpose, it is, but
natural that they will largely sub.
stitute cotton seed meal for corn the
coming feeding season. In conse-
quence of these demands cotton
seed meal and oil will both bring
higher prices than heretofore. This
being true cotton seed also should
bring higher prices than they have
been selling for.
Within the past few months a syn
dictate has been taking options on
oil mills, and now, it is reported,
they own more than so per cent. Of
the mills in the South, or its equiva-
lent in output. The American Cot
ton Oil Company, it is claimed, owns
forty per cent, so there are less than
10 per cent. in output, according to
this calculation, that are indepen-
dent mills.
From recent occurrences it is prob
able that these two oil companies,
controlling over 90 per cent. of the
cotton seed oil products of the South,
may combine or have an understand
ing as TO the prices TO be paid for
cotton seed. The situation is such
that, in our opinion, the farmers
should take some action to protect
themselves and have some voice in
naming the price their own pro-
ducts will sell for. This can best be
done by cooperation in selling, which
can be accomplished. The cotton
seed crop of North Carolina will
probably be at a low estimate, TO-
600, 900 bushels. Of this crop
1000, 900 bushels will probably be
sold. If by cooperation of the farmers
the price a be advanced 10 cents
the bushel, it will give to the cot
ton farmers of the State $500, 900
for the crop than they other.
wise would get, but concert of &C
ton will be necessary to obtain the
desired results. It is to be hoped
that the farmers in all the cotton
growing States will take similar ac.
ton. To that end this letter will
be sent to every Southern State,
that success may be assured.
We deem this of enough impor.
lance to suggest that the farmers
meet in their respective counties at
the courthouse on Saturday, Sep
TENDER 81, and select delegates to at
tend a State meeting to be held in
the city of Raleigh, Wednesday, Sep
TENDER 25. If it is deemed advisable
meetings can be held ear
lier than September 81 each town
ship or neighborhood can determine
this for themselves.
The short corr crop and the high
prices consequent thereon have
made this a golden opportunity for
the cotton farmers, and it is for
them to say whether they will take
advantage of it or leave all the profits
from these conditions to the
the cotton seed oil mills. You may
rest assured that they will not turn
them down. In Justice to your own
interests you should step forward
aud offer to share these profits with