The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-09-14
COTTON SEED PRICES.

COTTON SEED PRICES.
statement os Result OF Conference
Between Crrshcrs and Farmers.
To the Farmers Of The State:
The undersigned representing the
growers on the cotton seed committee
of the Food administration We're
called to a conference with the crush
ers and the Food Administration
Wednesday night and the following
facts will be Of interest TO the farm
ers Of the State:
Mr.. Elliott made clear that q
farmer may secure the carload price
by delivering 20 tons within 10 days
where he hauIs them direct to MILL.
II shipped, OF course, the railroad
rules about loading cars and the ton
mage will have to be complied With
Mr.. Elliott stated that he was tryins
to get a minimum car OF 15 tons, Dut
there is no reason why several farm
ers may not join together to load a
car. or to deliver their seed to a mill
Jointly in the name Of one OF their
number and secure the car prlce OF
$72.0o per ton, rs against the wagon
price OF $1,000 per ton.
A farmer can not demand OF a
mill in exchange more than 94o
pounds Of meal for a ton Of seed, the
balance to be paid in cash. TO make
this easy OF Illustration we will say
he can get i-2 ton of meal at S53.oc
equal $3.50 and $3.50 in cash, for
ton Of seed But as the mills are
buying considerable seed for casn
without any reference to exchange.
present or future, crushers told Us
that they could now exchange ton
of meal and $1,000 for a ton Of SEED.
They would advise farmers to make
sure Of securing their meal require
ments at once, and to get the same
home, for later they may be restrict
ed to only the meal from their own
seed. 1t was brought out that mills
would be glad to have the farmers
haul out neal as fast as they de!lV-
cred seed where it is Gone by wagon
and to have the meal shipped out as
fast as the seed come in.
There was considerable discussion
of the matter Of retailing meal and
hulIs, but We do not think farmers
are Interested in this phase OF thu
business.
IN justice to the crushers we think
it should be made clear that they dld
not influence the Food -Administra-
,or TO fix the price Of ginning at $3.50
per bale; in fact, the mills would
| have named lover rate III the in
terest Of attracting seed to their
plants, but the food administrator
with all the information he coulo'
sather, believes that cotton can no;
be ginned for less, unless it is made
I'D in some other way, and tha.
therefore it is to the interest Of the
farmers to pay ii price for ginning
that will maintain Independent gin
neries for conver.ence as we'll as TO
leave him free to dispose Of his cot
ton and seed as he sees best.
When we asked the question, what
will become OF the si2.C0 difference
between the price fixed by the mills
and the price fixed by the food aG-
nlinistration? a crusher promptly
asked TO be allowed TO answer that
question, and said, I'VE will pay it
10 farmers who sold the Seed ana
added. "But we think the farmers
ought to know that these early seed
have shown high moisture content
and made a low OIL turnout, %
SAMPLES from ali over the State show
ing Il per cent moisture or three
times the normal, and only SO IL
gallons in place Of 20 gallons Of oil.
thereby practically eliminating the
mills profits on these early seed.
When as;sed tie question. who is
to pay the privilease tax on the meal :!
NIr. Elliott said he :,,!st confess, that
had not been considered The food
administration expected the farmer
10 get his meal at $500 t. O. l."
We. the farmers on the committee,
think mills should pay this inspection
tax because they have been allowed
a greater spread TO cover increased
ccS-. aad a profit of $500 per ten Of
seed crushed. while the farmers ha.-@
had 10 take whatever was let
without regard to his increase in cost.
These discussions have broueiit
about a better understanding ..c-
tween the crushei.s and the farnee::s.
and we are sure. II each VIII -. 10
be rai: to t.l@ other il will still f,:,'-
t:le.. worl: TO oui' mutual welfare. Tisis
has hcoa brought about by 2!r. i
Iio.i.S vers- ,nanifest desire TO are
at the truth.
]. II. C1affy.
" INnlAIA,