The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-09-17
WE SHOULD HAVE BETTER PRICES FOR
COTTON SEED.

an address to the cotton farmers,
ginners, and others interested in
procuring better prices for cotton
iced, this committee met Tuesday in
the city of Raleigh and authorized
the following letter:
HILLsBORO, N. c., Aug. 81, 1901.
ITO 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 we'll 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 means
higher priced hogs, cattle, ETC., and
for their products. AS these products
advance in price, substitutes, such
as compound lard, oleomargarine,
~butterine, 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 cotton
seed meal has proven to be better
than corn for this purpose, it is but
natural that they will largely substi-
tute 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 it's equalent in
output. The American Cotton 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 independ.
ent mills.
From recent occurrences it is prob
able that these two oil companies,
controlling over 80 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 products
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, 10, 900, 900 bush
els. OF this crop 1000, 900 bushels
will probably be sold. If by coop
GRAFTON of the farmers the price can
he advanced 10 cents on the bushel,
it will give to the cotton farmers of
the State 800, 900 more for the crop
than they otherwise would get, but
concert of action will be necessary
to obtain the desired results. 1t is
to be hoped that the farmers in all
the cotton growing Sta liE8vill take
similar action. To that { Il this let
ter will be sent to every Southern
State, that coe may be assured.
We deem this of enough import
ance to suggest that the farmers
meet in their respective counties at
the court house on Saturday, Sep
TENDER 81, and select delegates to
attend q State meeting to be held in
the city Of Raleigh, wednesday, Sep
tembor 25. If it is deemed advisable
township meetings can be held ear
lier than September 81; each town
ship or neighborhOod can determine
this for themselves.
The short crop and the high prices
consequent thereon have made this a
opportunity for the cotton
farmers and it is for them to say
whether they will take advantage of
it or leave all the profits arising from
these conditions to the cotton seed
oil mills. You may rest assured
that they will not turn them down.
In Justice to your own interests you
step forward and offer to
share these profits with the mill