The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-10-03
no COTTON FARMERS: DON'T
CHEAT YOURSELVES.

All the farmers organizations and
all the farm journals advise the farm
ers not to sell their cotton at the pre-
yailing low price. The Progressive
Farmer has an elaborate and thought
be read by farmers.
After recounting the fact that the
farmers meetings put the price at IA
to Is cents, n the price is now as
low or lower than eleven cents, that
paper discusses THE One Way to Get
More for Your Cotton as follows:
Now, whose fault is it hat cotton
is bringing such low prices? 1t is folly
to blame the mill men for wanting to
buy as cheaply as possible-they are
are going to do it every time. It
strikes US, too, that it is scarcely worth
while to jump on the National Depart
ment Of Agriculture for the very IA
vorable reports as to crop conditions
it issued early in the season. We all
expected a big crop then. Almost
every eport that came to our office
old of fine prospects, and we were
all nerving ourselves to fight for 10
or II cent cotton. The latest figures
issued by the Department, however,
show an almost unprecedented de-
cline in Gro conditions, and while we
hold no brief for the Secretary of Ag-
riculture, it strikes US as a rather use
less proceeding to attack him for the
low price Of cotton.
The great trouble is with our cot
ton growers themselves. There are
plenty Of reasons for a sharp increase
in the price of cotton. All reports
now agree that the crop is going to
be below, rather than above the aver
age; the demand for the staple is
Observation-Disclosures will probably be
fighting for cotton before next years
crop is gathered; Southern farmers,
through their organizations have de-
clared for higher prices, and they are,
as a class, we'll ixed to hold until
the market rises. There are all
these reasons for high prices, and only
one for low prices-but that one is
enough. Farmers know what price is
offered. and thousands and thousands
seem to be eager to sell at that price.
It isn't worth While to talk about bet
ter prices, to resolute and speechify
and denouce everybody and every
thing, and at the same time aaul the
cotton to market and sell 1t as fast
as ginned, just as if it were a case of
necessity.
.There IS just one simple way-a
way as plain as the nose on a mans
face-to raise the price of cotton
stop marketing until the price adj
vances. Then market slowly and con-
servatively, stopping sales again when
ever the market shows signs of weak
ness.
Cotton is low only because lots OF
cotton is being offered for sale. The
exporters and manufacturers are, OF
course, delighted buyers. The price
is practically certain to go up within
a few months; but it is not going III
as long as plenty of cotton can be had
at present prices.
IF you feel like taking a load OF
cotton to town-Why, don't do 1t
Take the team and go to the fields ano
begin blowing or ditching. If your
negro tenant is in the notion Of goins
to market advance him five or ten dol
lars, take charge Of his cotton and put
him to work chopping Wood or digging
out stumps. 1t will be money to both
you and him.
I'm short, if II cents is too little
for cotton-and it is-don't sell al
that price. Advise your neighbera
too. not to sell; but if he will, that Is
his loss. It's partly your loss, too, FOL
every bale rushed on the market pre-
maturely drags down prices for every
u y -