The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-05-19
NEED FOR GRADING
OF COTTON CROP
Dr.. Alexander Makes Sugges.
tons and Commissioner
Graham Replies

the grading of cotton, and with ref |
erence to the appointment OF an Of
fetal grader in every cotton market
in the same way that there is a cot
ton weigher DR.. II. q. Alexander,
president Of the State Farmers Union
some days ago wrote Commissioner Of
Agriculture w. A. Graham as follows:
President A~leXander'S Letter.
The question of a better method
OK grading cotton on the markets is
one of very great Importance to all
cotton rmer
The fact that many farmers from
different sections Of the State have
spoken and written to the writer
about the matter, indicates an aWak
ened interest and a desire TO do some
thing to change the methods now
generally in vogue throughout the cot
ton States.
1T is most unfair to the producer
that his product, about which he
knows very little as to quality, should
be graded by the buyer, whose pur-
pose it generally is to grade and buy
as low as possible, And yet this is
the way we are selling the greatest
money crop OF the South.
II want to suggest, il it be practica-
BILE. that the State Board of Agricul-
ture provide for the use of the farm
ers. several sets Of samples Of the
standard or official grades Of cotton.
These to be sent on application, to re-
liable parties in cotton counties for
the use Of the farmers in studying
the different grades of cotton.
Then let the Board of Agriculture
have prepared, bulletins that cover
fully the subject of cotton grading
and send them out with the sample
grades to be used as a text book by
the farmers in studying the subject.
With this equipment it would be an
easy matter for farmers to form cot
ton grading schools, anG as soon as
through with the samples pass them
on 10 another community.
let this be followed by an official
just AS We now have the cotton weigh
er. In small market towns the
weigher could also be the grader. But
OF course neither weigher or grader
should have any business connections
with the buyers. He should be a fac
tor between seller and buyer whose
business il was TO see that no in
justice was practiced by either. and
that the superior intelligence of the
buyer when coupled with dishonesty,
should not take advantage of the
ignorance of the seller.
Please AXE up the matter and see
what can be done"
Reply Of Commissioners Graham.
COMMISSIONS of Agriculture Ora
ham has replied to DR.. Alexander as
follows:
THANK you for yours of the 5th
inst, referring to the grading Of cot
ton. the loss to the farmers under the
existing practices, and suggesting tina
the Department secure samples of the
standard grades for the use and infor-
nation of the farmers.
II have given this and kindred sub
jects q great deal of attention for thu
post two years and expressed my idea
through the press as to some of them
Congress has authorized the Sec
rotary OF Agriculture to establish min,
grades or standards of cotton, which
he has done, but there. is no law lie
CALLING these standards and maxim,
them legal authority to settle disputes
This should be done and the matte
not left as now, to the option of tn
different exchanges. I sent Senate
Smith and Mr.. Lever, of the House O
Representatives, amendments to b
made to their bills. which they hav
introduced covering this point, and
hope when the law is enacted it vii
contain Some provision along this line
The National law will prevail in set
Ting foreign and interstate business
and the State can, If it approve:
adopt it for local transaction whe
there is a dispute as to the standar
Of any bale. There will be no need G
the law when the cotton is sold @
sameple and the buyer aud the selle
are satisfied. p
I'm fixing the STANDARD ascertain
ed bv correspondence with the Ma
tional Department that the length an
tensile strength OF the cotton were nc
taken into consideration, but only tn
color and freedom from trash or othe
foreign substances, as has been til
case with buyers in fixing gradt
heretofore.
The true value of the cottoI
whether the color De white. tinges {
stains, is in the length and tensi
strength OF the lint. The trash is @!
~jectionable because it breaks or shor
ems the lint aud thus weakens its te,
sible strength.
AS soon as the cotton is sold |
the farmer it's truI value is consi,
cred TIE nalSnal departme
agrees with the writer that each ba
OF cotton ought to stand for itself