The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1916-07-14


There is strong demand for q
good quality of cotton and a careful
handling of the staple until it reaches
the manufacturers. This need of a
better staple and careful handling
was responsible for rhe English spin
ners promoting the large plantations
in the Delta of Mississippi:
Under prevailing conditions it is
more difficult to produce cotton at
a profit than formerly, and for this
reason the farmers of Mississippi are
urged to use their best efforts to grow
good staple and see that the bales
are not weather damaged before
placing on the market.
By all means there should be
standardized warehouses. bonde,a
and sensibly managed in each coun-
| ty where cotton could be stored at a
minimum of expense and given a
maximum Of protection; the staple
should not be allowed to get wet be-
fore marketing.
The State of Mississippi could
well afford to supply these ware
houses for protecting a crop that
brings to the State from seventy to
ninety millions of dollars annually.
And there is no reason why, with
sensible management by honest
men, that such system of ware
houses should not be self-sustaining
Shortly before the outbreak of the
European war, the writer had the
pleasure of spending several days
with one of the large manufacturers
of England who was here to make a
first hand study of cotton and the
conditions under which it was pro-
duced. He repeatedly emphasized
the necessity Of a better staple and
the exercising of care to prevent
water damage. Under date of June
Goth, personal letter from this gem
tleman contained the following ad-
vice that is worthy of careful con-
sideration by our farmers:
Il would like to express my views
to you and other leaders Of the diff
ferent states, the conclusions that l
reached while in your country. They
were thar the conditions were ideal
rtof.c COTTON SsowinS <Ltbers - ample
room to encourage the people to
grow better staple.
Each district could be offered a
substantial prize or bonus for the
most successful improvement shown
the same to be passed upon and
classified by government experts.
Secondly, that concrete stores
should be erected in every cotton
area where same could be graded
officially and bonded, to be released
only when prices were profitable to
the grower You know how it is ex-
plotted before it reaches the con-
sumner by people who are of no ben
eft whatever to tha producer or con-
sumner, and it would avoid the mar
ket being flooded at certain periods
of the season.
What is to stop each state TAX
ing this up? They should be gov
eminent owned, government financ-
ed and a minimum interest charge
made until such time as it is releas-
ed from bond. Cotton does not de-
preciate with keeping. and am
firmly convinced that the demand
will grow very largely after we have
settled the account with the mad
Huns"
This suggestion from one of the
large manufacturers is well worth
the most careful consideration by
our safest and best men. Cotton is
our principal money crop and must
continue so. The cotton states
should grant to the producer every
help possible to aid in financing and
handling this, Uncle Sans greatest
export article of commerce.
III. E. BLAKESLEE, Commissioner.