The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-06-10
HENDERSON. N. c., THURSDAY JUNE 10 1909

three to eight pounds There is no
reason or justice in loading % to 30
pounds OF tare on each bale in addi-
ton to the usual damp and country
damage, involving millions in loss
and waste. They have the erroneous
Impression that the planters are re-
sponsible for the evils, and that their
organizations are purely for the pur-
pose OF advancing the price OF cotton.
The facts are, planters sell cotton net
weight. with about 21 pounds tare,
Or sell in seed. The ginners ami com
pressers seem to be the offenders
They are making concentrated Of
forts to grow cotton throughout
Europe and their colonies. They are
backed by their governments with
subsidies, extensive railway schemes
which have been granted in Africa
and other cotton growing colonies,
also by the British Cotton Growing
Association. They emphasize with
much interest the growing of cotton
in the English, French, German and
other colonies. Some express the
optimistic belief that the cotton
country Of the future is yet to be
opened up. That West Africa alone
will within ten or twenty years be
able, granted, of course, that the
necessary railroads be constructed,
to supply 10000, 900 bales of cotton
annually, and at the same time pro-
vide the natives with remunerative
employment. The German spinners
are engaged in cotton growing to
some extent
The English manufacturers seem
the most aggressive in insisting that
their colonies shall extend aud in
crease the cultivation of cotton, that
while the price is high it will be much !
easier to stimulate it's growth, stat
ing that they are dependent for some
thing like 75 per cent. of their re-
quirements on American cotton.
They are not willing from business
standpoint, to be dependent on one
country for so large a percentage of
their supply of this important mate
rial, especially when taken into con-
sideration the continued increasing
demands and competition of Ameri- |
can manufacturers and generally +
mated that the increase in consump-
tion of cotton is 100000 bales per |
annum, which will take 100000 |
acres. 1t is an open question whether
this increase can be counted upon for |
a period OF years. If SO, other sources
OF supply must be developed or the |
raw cotton supply may become insuf-
ticient for the worlds requirements.
The question was frequently asked |
why we produced only 12,5OO,OOO !
bales from 100000 acres. This
interesting inquiry at once suggested
that in future the Southern States
would be looked to for increased sup
plies. The Southern States, without |
boasting of monopoly, can, at a
lair price, with sufficient labor and a
more intensive system of farming,
produce sufficient cotton for the re-
qulrements of the worlds consump-
tion. They can make the cotton if |
prices are remunerative. Why not |
see that their cotton is delivered in
proper and satisfactory shape? By
adopting this method they would |
nullfy to some extent these colonial |
schemes.
The cotton states should establish |
u standard bale by statute, and re-
quire that all cotton sold from these |
states should conform. The associa-
tion OF farmers, ginners, compressers
and manufacturers. should combine |
and insist that the evils complained |
OF should be eradicated, that the |
Southern cotton interest be put on a