The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-05-26
HENDERSON, n. c., THURSDAY, MAY 26, 1904.
this time on, and many OF the old
fashioned, out of date ones must go
out of business.

this time Oh, and many OF the old
fashioned, out of date ones must 90
out of business.
For the last few years oil has been
selling at from 33 to 81 cents +. o. b.
mills; today it is selling at % to %
cents (. o. b. mills The mills that
are in operation and building can
produce double the quantity of oil
per annum that will be consumed by
the world, and without a doubt this
condition of affairs will exist for
many years to come. There is only
one thing for the cotton seed oil peo-
pie of the south to do which can save
them from absolute disaster, namely,
less insane ecompetition among them
selves of seed, and reduction in the
cost OF manufacturing the seed. The
cost OF the raw material is going
higher each season, the markets for
the oil contracting, and competition
sharper all along the line. 1t has been
stated that the average price per ton
of seed through South Carolina this
year has been something like $21.
| Against this price of seed | give the
| following as the returns from the
products of a ton OF seed, and the
expense of manufacturing same. Be
low will be found the quantity and
the price obtained from a ton of seed
manufatcred under the present con-
ditions. Forty gallons of oil at 23
cents per gallon, 1920; 30 pounds
lint at 5 IL cents per pound, 81 .65;
775 pounds meal at S1.2O per hun
dred, $3.50; $40 pounds hulls at 30
cents, 81 46; making total of
$22.61. Now if we add to the cost
of the seed 1925, the cost of manu-
featuring the seed into this product,
| the seed and the manufacturing will
come to S244 while the actual net
returns from this ton of seeds at
S22.G1 makes an absolute loss OF
81 GA per ton on every ton OF seed
manufactured under the present con-
ditions. 1t is not apparent in the
above statement, but there is an ac-
tual loss of from Is to 100 pounds
in each and every ton of seed, in the
shape of dirt, sand, notes, etc. This
loss amounts to about ) per cent.
am sorry to say some farmers know
well how to sand their seed.
There is to my mind absolutely not
one ray of consolation for the out
look of the industry. | am reminded
OF the condition ofaffairs that existed
in Egypt thousands of years ago
We have had our seven fat years
which in my opinion is to be followed
by the inevitable seven lean years. |
would suggest to the cotton seed
manufacturers OfSOuth Carolina that
there be organized within the State
a cotton seed crushers association
which if properly conducted would be
of incalculable benefit to the busi-
ness. We could thoroughly discuss
all questions pertaining to the indus
try and it's management. | am OF
the opinion that by an exchange OF
ideas among the managers and super
intendents we could materially lesson
a good deal of the cost of manufac-
ture and also in the purchase and
sale of the products. This free inter-
change of ideas, and becoming 'ac-
quainted and in touch with each
other would be of great benefit to
those engaged in the business. If ]
am not alone in this opinion, let
some of the craft take the lead in es-
tablishing a crushers association III
South Carolina as now exists in Texas
and some other Southern States.
There are other things which |
would like to call the attention of the
crushers Of the State to, but as the
article is already too long | will close
hoping to hear from Others on the
subject ALVIN ETHEREDGE.
| Saluda, May 5.