St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1909-12-04
COTTON SEED MILLS
ARE FACING A CRISIS
HsW Prices Of ~By-Pfedasts Due 10 Easrsassa
Bsnasa saa sAsrsags 81 codoa SEED.
CLOSE-DONNS FEARED
Ne Chaass, EzPsFls say, II Cslisa seed
and Predicts Eysr siding back
to Former FFless.

Cotton seed mills, both in Texas
and Louisiana, and in other parts Of
the South, as well, according to in
formation secured today, are facing
the highest prices for cotton seed in
the history Of the business, with the
outlook for prices still going higher
before the year ends. On account of
these high prices, some Of the mills
have already closed. A report from
Houston last night was that two
Of the four mills there had shut
down. The effect Of this cost Of seed
is shown in the price Of crude oil,
that is now costing Az cents a gal
lon, as compared to about 81 cents
at the same time last year, says the
New Orleans States Of the Both inst.
While some Of this advance is nat
urally accounted for by the cotton
seed oil interests On the ground Of a
shortage in output Of cotton seed
this year, as compared to that Of last
year, still the greater part at the adj
vance is believed to be due to the in
creased demand for the products
manufactured from cotton seed oil.
This is according to statements made
today by officials Of the Southern Cot
ton Seed Oil Company. Their esti-
mates are that the cotton seed out
put is less this year than last year By
from 10 to Is per cent. The de-
mand for the b~y-produets is believed
to have increased BY more than 50
per cent.
IN view of this situation, cotton
sssed oil is considered to have reached
d new level in price, below which con
tinued and increased demand is ex-
pected to make it impossible to fall
Mr.. Patton, the wheat king, and at
least the heir apparent to the cottor
throne, recently said that the demand
FOR cotton would have so Increased
before the determination Of the Dol
. Weevil would allow increased supply
as forever to keep the price iron
falling to the figures that fosmerl
. obtained. This is practically the vieS
taken Of the cotton seed oil msrke
by the local interests. As one ofieia
. of the Southern Company said today
! IF the shortage in the crop were th
s only raasaa &dk present high price
5 we might expect lower prices in ea'
D of 8 bigger crop next year. But Il
D increased demand for the oil and u
D by-products, compound lard and OF
q ers, is even q more important fact
9 in the high prices than the lack
y supply Of seed. Besides this q
q mand, in all likelihood will contin
g to increase u the public become ed
Gated to the uses Of cotton seed
8 products, 80 that it seems pretty v
8 assured that the former low pFie
o viii never again obtain.
O While the exports to Europe
. the refined cotton seed oil are
g ported if not actually to have
" creased, at least not to have
creased any this season, due TO
increased use there Of cheaper p
nut and olive oils, the manufactur
have been able to sell their chief
product, compound lard, at the p
vailing high price in the Uni
!. states on account Of the record p
that nov obtains for natural lard
this country.
. From the statements Of the ma
m ~facturers, this planter appears g
the one who IS reapiag the chief
son eft from bhe prices. While this
seem contrary 10 practice and esl
ishsdrnasom, stiH the uanafacfuI
ton say that this year he has grown !
ia business methods, has taken
vantage 81 tie Big demand for
RVS cotton seed, and By withholding
croD. has practically assured hlal
of still higher prices befofs the
Rag the rear. This rear the mana
~turers are seeking the producer.
amount al cotton seed 30 far sold
rear III aeclaed 10 be- no more
half what Mad been sold up g
same signs last rear.