The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1903-01-17

The Great Cotton Seed Industry.
The inauguration of active work by

The Great Cotton Seed Industry.
The inauguration of active work by
the Colfax Cotton Oil Co. in this CON-
munity We regard as suspicious, and
it prompts rs to say few words
about this great industry, which has
lately become one of the chief factors
in our country's prosperity.
1t is stated by the Memphis Morn
ing News that there are 500 cotton
seed oil mills in the Southern States,
the largest portion of them ha wing
been built within the last ten years.
Texas maintains supremacy in the
business, having about one third of
the total number. Georgia, South
Carolina and Mississippi are about
identical in importance, and combined
they have about one-third Of the total
number of mills. Alabama, Louisi-
ana and North Carolina, in the order
of their rank in the business, have be-
tween 80 and 40 mills each.
The great Importance OF this indus
try is but little appreciated by most
persons. As the Colfax Cotton Oil
Company has just let out its con-
tract for brick buildings and the ma
chinery, to be in operation in time to
take off the crop of 1908, it may not
be amiss to review some of the bene-
fits that will result from this enter
prise. Elsewhere in this issue We print
the proceedings of the directors of the
oil company, which those interested
in details may read with profit.
The resulting benefits Of this mill
at COlfax will be manifold. In addi-
ton TO giving employment to good
crew, it also gives US a permanent
and reliable market for seed at our
doors. When one reflects that only
a few years ago this product was no.
table chiefly for it's failure to be util-
lied tor any practical profit, this fea-
ture opens up a wide field of advan-
tage and gain not necessary to name
and itemize, as the thing is patent
to every intelligent man.
In the two chief products of the
crushing business. oil and oil cake, or
meal, the Southern States now have
an annual output and export trade
of $25, 900. 900 to $50, OOO, 900, and
the domestic trade is just about the
same figure, and both foreign and do
nestle trade are steadily increasing.
Allied industries of manufacturing
soaps, lints, fertilizers, etc., and the
feeding and fattening of cattle for
market, are among the economies
and profits that go with the business
of making oil from cotton seed.
Perhaps one of the best results to
be brought about will be the estab-
lishment of uniform and reliable prices
for cotton seed. The average price
paid by the mills for the past year
has been about $40 per ton, and it is
thought something near this figure
will rule for the coming season. This
stability Of prices for this product
gives US relia BILE article of commerce,
and cotton seed are now quoted and
bought and sold in the cotton ex.
changes, after the manner of cotton,
grain and other products. As con-
sequence the cotton seed crop has be.
come q most Importance factor in
agricultural and commercial est.
mates, while the farmers have come
to rely upon this crop for nearly hall
of their expected profits as cotton
planters.
We congratulate the stockholders
OF the oil company, and also the citi-
Gems of this community on the launch.
ing OF this enterprise in our midst
and feel safe in predicting that it il
only a precursor and forerunner Of
other splendid enterprises that will
soon be inaugurated here.
CrOuU