The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-10-28
THE TARE ON n, COTTON.
The Cotton Bnyers and the Farmcrs
Fall about 1t.

Il
Farmers and cotton buyers are in
terested in a recent order issued by
cotton buyers in several OF the coun-
ties concerning the way cotton should
be baled and tied. The order stated
that no cotton would be received with
more than six yards of bagging ami
six ties, and as many Of the farmers
had already exceeded this amount. a
notice has been issued by Mr. x. w.
Thompson, master of the Georgia
State grange, as follows:
Tine cepted weight of cotton Is
about 500 pounds per bale; the Gus.
tomarmy tare on cotton baled for
market, fixed by foreign markets, is
.O6 cent. The Liverpool cotton ex-
change, the Amsterdam Cotton
Brokers' ass. citation and the Bremen
cotton exchange admit that this tare
allowance is correct. Now this will
allow as tare for an Amer can bale Of
cotton 80 pounds. Six yards Of bag,
ging weighs / 2 pounds when the usual
brands Of bagging are used. The
Farmers and the Standard weighing
from I to 2 pounds to the yard. aud
six ties weigh pounds, mak'rg 81
pounds actual weight. Thus it will
be seen that the cotton exchance i,
claim and fix the price to cover 80
pounds tare when in reality only 21
pounds actual weight Of baggiug and
ties is put on, when 6 yards OF bagging
and ties are ustd, and, besides, the
bagging is rosold to the farmer for
about three-fourths the price of new
bagging ard the ties are spliced and
resoid for little less than new ties.
Thus you will see that the cotton
exchanges and the manufacturers are
annually robbing the farmers of 8
pounds Of cotton, besides getting
back three fourths of the original cost
of the baggaing and ties Now 1 con-
tend that & yards Of bagglng will not
sufficiently cover bale of cotton.
Six yards cover the top and bottom,
while the sides are left entirely uu.
covered and exposed, and would not
advocate, neither would 1 advise, the
farmers to use any surplus bagging in
covering their cotton, but l do ear
nestly advocate the use Of sufficient
quantity Of bagging to completely
cover the bale, which Is absolutely
necessary for the prot ction Of the
Gotten against exposure to dirt, trash
and for the diminuation Of lessen :
tile danger by fire.
For such co upiete covering it
will take at lea,s . yards of bagging,
which with ties, weighs 81 pounds,
being three pounds less than foreign
cotton exchanges deduct for tare.
Du. there is another phase of the
Question that / wish TO call your
earnest attention TO. 1t is this:
What right have these cotton buyers,
cotton exchanges and cotton manufac.
turers to dictate to the farmers how
we shall wrap our cotton? We would
not, aud do not, dictate 10 those we
buy from hCw they must wrap their
parcels, and l most earnestly advise
tue farmers not to he dictated to in
this matter. The cotton world fixes
the price That We must take, the
merchants fix the price that we must
give and now come the cotton buyers
debating how we must wrap our cot
tol to suit them, adding the threat
that If we do not do as they say they
will dock our cotton to suit them.
Fellow farmers, are you going to
submit to such arrogance? l earnest
ly and urgently ADVISE cur farmers
not to submit. We have some rights.
We have the numbers, the influence
and the power, and If we assert our
rights as we should our influence and
power will be felt. Let every commu-
nifty at once call meeting OF farmers
and discuss this ma ter, and resolve
to stand together as one man and re
S'st this p oclamaton of the Gotten
buyer. Wrap your co,ttn up, not
using more Than enough bagsing TO
do this. Offer it upon the market
and if they don't want it hold, some
body else will want 1t, and if you sell
and single pound Is docked 90 to the
nearest trial justice and sue Tor cotton
not paid for"