The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-05-23

balances are largely predicated upon
the amount of foreign sales.
1t is estimated that the annual con-
of American cotton for the
past lou years has averaged 1850
e37 bales. The largest amount con-
sumed in any one year of this period
was from August 81. 1908. to August
81, 1909. when consumption reached
12,o9S,2S0 bales. The smallest
amount for any year of this period
was the year ending August 81. 1910,
When only 11,145.17s bales were ac-
tual1y consumed. This. however, does
not take into account the total
amount of American cotton which
was taken directly from the markets
by spinners, also 10000 bales OF India
cotton alone, imported. The increased
production of American cotton has
not kept pace with the increase Of the
worlds cotton spindles. In 1907 the
total estimated number of cotton
spindles in the world were 114.096.-
1913. At the close of August. 1910.
they had increased to an estimated
total of 133,3S4,794 or an increase of
IL per cen in three years. Notwith-
standing this enormous increase of the
worlds spindles, during the same
period, there was a reduction of over
two and one-half millions of bales Of
American cotton produced, for three
years. 1~9O7-0S-09, as compared with
the production of similar periods Of
1904-O5-06. Yet there was an esti-
mated increase Of sever millions Of
acres in the years 1~907-0S-09 greater
than 19O4-O5-06. In other words,
while the number of spindles and
acreage increased enormously, the
production Of American cotton de-
clined. Climatic conditions enter
largely in to the yield Of the cotton
fields. The expansion of the cotton
mill industry in the South a been
phenomenal within the last twenty
five years. 1t is not unreasonable to
expect that, with increased facilities
and more perfect organization, a very
much larger expansion will be made
within the next twenty-five years, not
only in the Southern States, but in the
world.
1t is estimated that if all the
%spind1es in the South today were
operated full time. with cotton at
present values, they would produce
more than three hundred and fifty to
four hundred millions of dollars worth
of goods per annum The commission
cost Of selling these goods and the
burden Of these expenses, when ag-
gregated. is something enormous, as
compared with the usual risk and
%ervices rendered. There seems no
escape from this expense. so long as
the present methods Of distribution
continue. h larger corporations. or
those who are in position to maintain
their selling agencies, find sale for
their goods at much less cost than the
unorganiZed and smaller mills. Groups
of mills are merging, relieving them
selves of expensive management and
commissions. A selling agency. owned
and operated by a-rumber Of mills
Jointly, would likely accomplish
equally as good results. The evil OF
consigning and receiving on
products is almost ruinOus in it's eff
fects. and should receive careful con
sheraton. Goods hat reach the
market through this channel usually
go into storage as "stOck goods and
are a menace to values. These goods
cannot yield a commission until they
are sold. They are often pressed for
sale, without regard to market cond1-
tons. The buyers know OF their eX1s-
tence. and frequently magnify the
quantity held for the purpose of fore
ing a decline. and thereby establishing
the market price on all similar goods.
A change or modification of these
methods is imperative.
The Panama Canal will likely be
completed and opened within thefneXt
four years. It. behOOves the American
agriculturists and manufacturers to
place themselves in position to take
advantage Of the ID Opportuni-
ties that will then be offered to them.
Additional transportation lines will
doubtless be inaugurated, bringing
closer to our doors the great and in
creasing markets Of the Pacific coast.
the west coast of Central America,
| and the Far East. These markets are
constantly increasing in Importance
and magnitude, n will make mos
| desirable and valuable customers. The
completion of the canal means inn
mense opportunities for development
of the Southern States, and of the
| agricultural, manufacturing and min
ing interests of the whole country.
h past few years there has been
continuous discussion and some unfor-
tunate friction between h cotton
growers. manufacturers and repre-
sentatives of the exchanges rel--tfVe