The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-09-21
President Alexander Tells
Farmers not to Turn it
Over to Spectators
SMALLEST CROP IN YEARS
The President OF the Farmers Union
Urges Farmers to E4 Warehouse
CefIf( ateS and Market Cotton,
Slowiy-The Only Sensible and
B~uSineSS-like Way.

Farmers Of North Carolina:
Are you going to reap the benefit OF
the high prices that are sure to pre-
vail before half of the present crop is
sold, or are you going to turn over your
crop to the spectators as fast as you
get it ready for market, and let them
hold it until demanded by the marketr
The cotton and tobacco crops are usu-
ally sold in about four months. yet
these crops canno be used in that
time, but must last twelve months.
or until another crop is ready for mar
ket. Therefore. somebody must hold
the crop until demanded by the manu-
f%acturer. The Spectator has been do
ing this and making more money out
OF it than the man who produced it.
Now then, if it pays him to borrow
money to pay for the crop, rent his Of
fee and employ several men to handle
it. why vii it not pay you to hold
Jour own crop? You don't have to pay
office rent, or hire several men to
handle it. You may not need to Dor
row money on your crop. but if you
do, you can get it by storing it in a
warehouse and using the warehouse
receipt as collateral. This is just what
the speculator does. Then why won't
you do it, and thus save to the pro-
Queer the profits that now go to the
middle man?
Smallest Crop in Years.
That this will be the smallest crop
of cotton in several years is already
conceded by the government, the
%spinneps, the spectators and all wei!
posted farmers. The world has less
than three-fourths Of a million bale:
on hand, from last years crop. con-
sumption Of cotton is increasing every
year. Therefore, it is the opinion OF
many we'll Informed men, with whom
l have talked. that cotton will. within
q few months reach as high a point a.
it did under the Sully boom.
Every farmer can arrange to hold
at least a part of his crop. Many car
hold all of their crop for several
months.
Let me urge you to make use OF the
warehouse certificate, and market
your crop slowly as demanded. This
is the only sensible, business-like way
cf marketing.
As to Tobacco.
I would say to the tobacco armers
that the recent dry weather has more
than offset the increase in acreage.
and there will not be a big crop OF to-
bacco. Get together and stand as one
man: presenting a solid array or
strong. determined men against the
dollars Of the American tobacco trust.
Your cause is a righteous one. and
thrice armed is he who has his quar-
rel just A convention of tobacco
farmers will be called in DanVille, Va,
about the last of September. Look out
for the date and be sure to attend.
A word to the local unions. Have
YOU received the cotton seed circular
sent out by the State union? II you
have not then write to Secretary r. G.
| FAIRIES, Kings Mountain, and he VIII
send Won one. The call our mem
hers together and see how many or
them will pledge themselves to carry
out the propositions contained IN that
circular. Do this at once.
Now, then. fellow-farmers, the mat
ter rests with you. Will you acqult
yourselves like men. and win a glo-
Iious victory? or will you sc on in the
ruts, following the suicidal policy Of
rushing all you have to sell on me
market at whatever price it Will bring.
Respectfully
H. @. ALEXANDER.