The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-01
BETTER PRICES
FOR COTTON SEED
A Short Crop Ought to Guar
antee Higher Prices.
PARKER PRESENTS PLAN
A Method Of Selling That he Thinks
is Wise and Practicable.
COOPERATION IN SELLING COTTON sEfD
He Estimates That by his Plan The Farmers
Could Easily Get an Increase Of Ten
Cents Bushel For Their
PARKER PRESENTS PLAN
CO. OPERATION IN SELLING COTTON sEtD

recent meeting OF the state Farmers AL
lance authorizing the appointment of a
committee to issue an address to the cot
ton formers, ginners and others interested
in procuring better prices for cotton seed
this committee met in the city of Raj
eigh and authorized the following letter:
Hillsboro, N. c., August 81, 1901
To the Cotton Farmers and Ginners of
North Carolina:
Gentlemen: This letter is issued for
the purpose of awakening in you an in
terest 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 known 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 substitute cotton seed meal for
corn the coming feeding season. In con-
sequence 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 syndicate
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 equivalent in output The American
Cotton Oil Company, it is claimed, owns
40 per cent, so there are less than 10 per
cent. in output, according to this calcu-
lation, that are independent mills.
From recent occurrences it is probable
that these two oil companies, controlling
over 80 per cent of the cotton seed oil
products of the South, may combine or
have an understanding 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 them
selves 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 10,000O0O
bushels. OF this crop 100000 bushels
will probably be sold. II by cooperation
of the farmers the price can be advanced
10 cents on the bushel, it will give to the
cotton farmers of the State 500, goo more
for the crop than they otherwise would
get, but concert of action will be neces-
70 <olf oi t1n 1oCi rn6 n
to be hoped that the farmers in all the
cotton growing States will take similar
action To that end this letter will be
sent to every Southern State that success
may be assured.
We deem this of enough Importance to
suggest that the farmers meet in their
respective counties at the court house on
Saturday, September q, and select dele
gates to attend a State meeting to be held
in the city of Raleigh, Wednesday, Sep
TENDER % If it is deemed advisable
township meetings can be held earlier
than September 81; each township or
neighborhood can determine this for
themselves.
The short corn crop and the high prices
consequent thereon have made this a
golden opportunity for the cotton farm
ers. 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 should step forward and offer to share
these profits with the mill men.
This letter is addressed to every cotton
farmer and ginner in the State, from the
least to the largest Let them all CO.
ope rate. Let no reasonable excuse keep
you away from the meetings.
T p DARKER s q A