The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-03-26

pdFG OF 1t Is at railroad stations for
shipment, on board cars, on docks
and on board vessels for which drafts
have alrerdy been given, and the
money available at once. When the
visible supply showed 5000, 900 bales,
less than 10000 of it was in the
principal markets and ports of the
United States, and much of that was
the property of manufacturers, but
suppose this System would stop COM
petition and force us to carry more
than now, it could not increase it
much, as many of the mills only buy
as they need it, and the transit cot
ton continue a large factor in the
stocks.
Banks will be glad to cash our
drafts and loan money on stored cot
ton, especially if we have a large
capital of our own. The Organiza-
tiOn will need, besides the present
officers, a treasurer, statistician,
graders, samplers, weighers, ship
perS, etc. These are matters of de-
tail and will be determ ined hereafter.
The greatest problem is raising the
money, but this can be done if sub
scriptiOns are taken in every county
of the cotton district and shares
made $40 each. This would be the
small planters opportunity to unite
IN Il strong combination to protect
their interests. By paying ten cents
for middling cotton and allowing
that for every bale that takes "a share
of stock would pay for the stock and
leave about as much as most plant
erS are now getting for their cotton.
This would reach more planters than
we are aware of. l want the small
turmel 5 interested in this movement,
for they need this protection more
than any others. Men of means can
take care of themselves. l do not
mean they are not wanted, for they
are. We want their money and
good Judgment both, but l make an
especial appeal to the small farm
ers because they think their mites
are SO small they can do nothing,
and often feel slighted in all
business affairs. When all of
these mites are gathered up it
Will surprise even the statiStician,
and when the corporation is formed
they will have d voice in the price of
their own products and IL safe invest
ment besides, and will enable them
to school their children and get some
of the comforts of life.
lido not believe in pessimistic ideas,
nor in crOuking because our business
is not as prosperous as others, nor in
trying to check the progress of the
other lawful industries, but let US
profit by their example and adopt all
honorable methods used by them to
advance the prices of our products.
High prices for cotton does not in
jure other industries, but is bless
ing to all.
Two short crops in succession has
caused better prices, but have not
yet compensated the planter for the
loss, if the receipts are an indica-
tion of the amount raised. 1t is said
they are holding it, yet the mer-
chants report good collections. How
is this unless the cotton is being
marketed? The fact of the planters
paying up is no evidence of having
eived remunerative prices, but
shows the privations they undergo.
Not many people live poor from
choice, but from necessity. Some
are forced to deny themselves from
lack of credit, others from an honest
desire to meet their obligations,
knowing they cannot pay large ac-
counts with the usual prices for cot
ton
We are urged to build more fac
tories, to create better demand.
do not oppose that, the mills ought
to be in the South. The climate and
raw material are both here, but will
this enhance the value of cotton to
any nppreciuble extent? The spin
ners have already combined to in
crease the price of yarns. L have
not yet seen where they say nything
of paying more for cotton. l say
they have al right to ask profit for
their products. No business can
prosper without profit, and they
have u right to combine to maintain