The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-25
STANDARDIZING COTTON
government Taking Steps to Estab-
lish Basis for Marketing Of Cotton
TO Avoid Differences Between
Markcts--Effective September 1.
1910.
From Augusta Chronicle.

From Augusta Chronicle.
Mr.. Barbot, a cotton expert of New,
York, temporarily representing the
United States government in the mat.
ter of furghering the proposed sys-
tenn of standard grades of cotton in
all markets of the world, was in the
city yesterday, and made an interest
ing talk to the members of the Au-
gusta Cotton Exchange relative to the
introducing of the uniform grading
system In the Augusta market.
Under the present system of mar
keting cotton throughout the world
there Is wide variation in the mat
ter of grade which to degree hand
leaps the grower, dealer and consum-
er. For instance middling in Angus
ia is Of a different grade from midi
ding In New Orleans. or New York.
or Liverpool, or even Savannah or
S'tshl NNtSNA h0A hCtos
Some time ago experts from the
various larger cotton centres of the
country, at the instigation of the Fed
eral government, investigated exhaus-
lively the matter of cotton grades and
arrived at basis upon which cotton
may be marketed in any part of the
country on standard basis under
such system that it will grade the
same at any point. viz, that cotton
sold In Augusta, for instance as mid
ding will oe middling in New York,
New Orleans, Liverpool or any other
market. This fact was published
through the Federal department of
agriculture. and, when the recon-
mendation Of the commission of STAN
dard grades was adopted, the matter
OF securing general cooperation was
taken up by the government 1t is
this work upon which Mr.. Barbot is
engaged, and for which he is espe-
cially fitted through long experience
In one of the largest cotton markets
In the world, and an institution which,
though not in the cotton belt, has
more influence In the world traffic of
the staple than any other.
Mr.. Barbot's especial duty is that
of visiting the larger and more i'm.
portant cotton centres of the United
States; such as'Augusta, New Orleans
Memphis, Savannah. Galveston, Hous-
ton, and instructing the members OF
the cotton exchanges in the system
of standard or universal grading and
preparing them for its adoption on q
specified date.
1t Is practically certainty tha,
such specified standard grades will be
adopted throughout the entire cottor
belt, based upon types presented tc
those interested by tine United States
government, as passed upon by the
several experts referred to, and thai
at such time the traffic in the prn.
cipal agricultural industry of the
South. and one of the most importan,
of the world. will be so absolutel,
uniform that markets at widely di-
vergent points as to distance will be
exact as to the enterprise upon which
they are engaged.
This contemplated change of grades
from the present unstable system to
one of uniformity and harmony II
now expected to take place all ove1
the country on September 1. 1910, the
beginning of the next cotton season
thus giving the entire country ample
time to become familiar with the
changes so contemplated, and which
should eventually prove of world
wide benefit.
During the interval Mr.. Barbot will
continue such visits as that to Angus
ta yesterday, and the instruction OF
those interested in and connected
with the cotton business in the in
tended. standard system of grading