The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-03-06
FARMERS
UNION NEWS
Practical Thoughts for Practical
Farmers.
Conducted by E. w. DabbS, Pres
ident s. c. Farmers Union.)
The Packing of Cotton.

not only is there often serious dam
age suffered by the cotton, but re-
proach or prejudice against the
American cotton trade for sending
ost such poorly packed merchandise.
Moreover, these plain evidences of
carelessness in packing American
cotton have encouraged the receivers
on the other side of the ocean to ex-
act a heavy tax on the staple, amount
ing on an average to a dollar on each
bale, aggregating not less than $12,
600. 900 a year. The matter was re-
ported to Secretary of State Knox,
who made inquiry through the United
States consul at the chief foreign
ports, with request to report:
1. To present the fact with re-
spect to the "tare" charged in the
handling Of American cotton.
2. To explain why an excess
charge is made against American cot
ton, as compared with the "tare"
reckoned against the cotton Of other
countries.
8. To state the actual charge for
"tare" and the manner in which it is
ascertained against Egyptian, Indian
and other cotton competing in for
eign markets with that of American
grown; and.
4. Personally TO examine into the
condition and appearance of all class
es of cotton shipments upon the ar E
rival and unloading at foreign ports,
so that comparisons could be drawn
as between the shipments from Amer
lea and those from competing cour
tries.
The reports of consuls, accompa-
MED in many cases by photographs or
bales as they were unloaded from
ships when compared with the cotton
received from other countries, con-
vinced Secretary Knox that there
ought to be a most decided improve
nient in he methods of packing oar
cotton. and that there should bee 'n-
ifornnity and standardization in the
packing. Mr.. Knox, in his export
transmitting the information receiN Ell
from the United States consuls. said:
"The producers of other nations,
now supplying nearly 40 per cent Of
the cotton imports by the worlds
great consuming markets, have so
standardized and perfected their
methods of bailing that the ultimate
buyer is content with such an allow
auce from the gross weight of the
bale as is represented by the actual
weight of the iron bands and the COW
ering. The arbitrary charge for 'tare'
against cotton Of American produc-
ton apparently car be overcome only
when the American bale is standard
lied. When this is accomplished,
there will exist no incentive for an ex-
cess allowance, since ii appears that
foreign buyers are willing to buy on
the terms Of actual 'tare' when this
can be arrived at readily with a rea
oo-oI1o int
However valuable an improved and
uniform method Of packing would be
it is much TO be doubted if anything
Of the sort is possible, as long as every
planter does his own packing i'm such
manner as may please him. Each
State might prescribe rules and meth
ods. and possibly establish inspection
as was the case with tobacco until the
United States laid a tax on tobacco
and took the staple under its special
care. and the state governments re-
laxed their regulations and withdrew
New Orleans Picayune.
The Co-Operator has urged refor-
nation in the packing Of the Amer
lean cotton bale. and the Co-Operator
believes that the gin compressed bale
would cffectually cure the evils com
planned Of in the above article. The
gin compressed bale is a neat looking
bale and it does away with the COM
press and at the same time destroys
the city crop that is taken out Of the
farmers cotton. The Co-Operatoi
would urge upon farmers to investi-
gate the gin compressed bale and see
if IT will not remove several evils al
one blow.--Texas Farm Co-OperatOr
Now That Eggs are Cheaper. Here are
Some Good Things tO Eat.